Article: Top 10 Korean Artists Who Paid Off Their Family’s Debt

For every Korean artist, life hasn't always been a bed of roses. Everyone is aware of how they have to work hard for every buck. Although certain South Korean celebrities are well-known for being raised in affluent households, considerable originate from ordinary homes. They have achieved success in the entertainment world and subsequently, as a gesture of thanks for everything they have done to raise them, have paid off their parents' debt. You would never guess that the stars who are so well-known had such modest upbringings.

1. IU

In 2011, IU made an appearance on a TV variety program and disclosed that the success of Good Day allowed her to pay off all of her parent's debt. Since then, things have only gotten better as she has emerged as South Korea's leading female soloist and a sought-after actor, making appearances in K-dramas like Moonlovers and Hotel Del Luna as well as the Netflix anthology series Persona. IU revealed on another program that her parents had been the victim of fraud, which had destroyed her family. Although they did not have a pleasant upbringing, they did live in a basement in a room full of cockroaches.

 

2. Hyeri (Girl's Day)

Hyeri, who had her debut in 2010's Girl's Day and is working as an actress today, claimed that she once had to live separated from her parents due to her family's financial difficulties. Hyeri invested her savings in a fantastic flat in Jamsil and an admirable car for her parents in 2014. When Flowers Bloom, I Think of the Moon, My Roommate is also a Gumiho, and Reply 1988 were all successes for her.

 

3. Zico 

Zico began his career as an undercover rapper before joining the boy group Block B. He is better renowned for his solo work as a producer and rapper. Even better, KOZ Entertainment, his entertainment company, is run by him. Koreaboo claims that he paid off his family's obligations with the bulk of his first millions of won in earnings. He claims that despite their financial hardships, his parents never forced him to pursue a vocation he didn't desire, and thus he felt compelled to do so out of gratitude.

 

4. Chungha

After making her debut with Produce 101's girl group I.O.I, Chungha had a big success. She eventually found fame as a solo performer. As her mother manages her finances, according to KpopStarz, Chungha continues to get a subsidy from her. Despite their family's debts, her mother does not touch her cash, giving her only spending money and leaving the rest in a savings account.

 

5. Jung Eun-Ji (Apink)

Her family's financial troubles were discussed by Eunji, best known simply as Eunji, in the fashion magazine Grazia. For her family to live stress-free, she considered paying off the loan. When the time for it finally arrived suddenly, she paid off the interest first, then the principal. She performs as the primary vocalist for Apink in addition to appearing in musicals, drama soundtracks, and even Reply 1997, where she played the female lead.

 

6. Jo Kwon (2AM)

Despite being a ballad singer, Jo Kwon of 2 AM continually worked difficult on variety shows to show that he was also hilarious, frequently showcasing his kkap dance, which quickly became popular. After some trying times for his family's indebtedness because of a failing business, during which time his family had to live in a small room, KpopStarz said that he paid off his family's debts and went on to buy his mother an apartment.

 

7. Sungyeol (Infinite) 

Sungyeol of Infinite also disclosed that he had long desired to pay off his parent's debt. When he got enough money, he paid off all of their debt and even offered them the remaining sum to use as they pleased.

 

8. MC Gree 

At an early age, MC Gree made his professional debut. He is currently working to pay off his mother's debt. He previously admitted in an interview that his mother and father's divorce was partly motivated by their divergent personalities and partly by financial concerns. 1.7 billion won in debt was incurred by his mother. Since there was still debt left over after the divorce, Kim Goo Ra paid off some of it; nonetheless, MC Gree indicated his desire to pay all of it off at some point.

 

9. Lee Joon 

His family had considerable debt when Lee Joon revealed it in 2013. Despite this, he paid it off as soon as possible, even buying his parent's home. In South Korea, the boy band MBLAQ, of which Joon was a previous member, is renowned.

 

10. Cha Ye-Ryeon

Due to her father's debt, Cha Ye-ryeon also gained notoriety for her affairs. In 2015, her father was found guilty of fraud and given a three-year prison term under the Specific Economic Crime Act. At the time, the media identified him as the father of a well-known actress. When her father filed for bankruptcy when she was 19 years old, Cha Ye-ryeon said that she had been repaying her father's bills for 15 years without speaking to him. According to accounts from the time, Cha Ye-ryeon settled debts totaling about 1 billion won.