As the reality of making a living solely through acting becomes increasingly difficult, more and more actors are opening up to working part-time and pursuing multiple careers behind the scenes. Their honest stories have attracted attention by highlighting the gap between the glamorous image of celebrity life and the challenges many artists face in everyday reality.
Actress Min Dohee recently shared her thoughts after ending a part-time job at a coffee shop that she had held for over a year.
On June 17, Min Dohee uploaded a video titled “I quit my part-time job at the bar” to his channel. The video documented his daily routine, from arrival to the end of his shift, while also revealing why he started work and ultimately decided to leave.
Min Dohee candidly admitted, “Before I started working, I didn’t have much to do and I felt like I had become a smaller version of myself. I constantly felt down.”
However, he explained that the experience changed his perspective. “As I worked, I realized that what I really wanted was a job where I felt needed. After that, strangely enough, I became more energetic.” he said.
He added, “Being recognized as a valuable person in this workplace made me feel better. In many ways, I look back on this experience very positively.” His comments reflected a hopeful outlook and gratitude for his time working outside of the entertainment industry.
Actress Park Kyung Hye also shared a similar side of her life.
On an April episode of MBC I live aloneviewers followed Park Kyung Hye’s daily routine as she settled into living on her own.
During the broadcast, he visited a bar where he revealed, “I’ve been working here part-time for two years.”
Explaining his decision, Park said, “When I’m not working on a project, I don’t have a steady income. I thought it would be nice to have the opportunity to earn money, so I started working.”
When asked how she balances acting and part-time work, she responded: “Many of my colleagues are also actors, so we help each other by adapting our programs.”
She was also seen greeting customers who recognized her during her shift. Park expressed his appreciation, saying: “I’m grateful when people recognize me. Those moments really give me so much energy.”
Similarly, actress Choi Ji Soo revealed that she continues to work in a restaurant despite gaining public recognition.
Appearing on tvN’s Take the block quiz in March, Choi Ji Soo shared that she has held countless part-time jobs since her early twenties.
He recalled experiences ranging from working in a photo card factory and fulfillment centers to wearing mascot costumes and working in children’s cafes.
Discussing his financial difficulties, he revealed, “When I graduated, I had accumulated about 50 million won in student loans. Once I started receiving repayment notices at age 28, I decided to pay off my debt as quickly as possible.”
Choi Ji Soo also revealed that she was sorting out photo cards immediately before landing her role in the drama Miss Hong undercover.
He explained that he currently works at a large restaurant in Jamsil, taking on various tasks including washing dishes, making coffee, serving beer and preparing fried chicken.
As more and more customers began to recognize her, she remembered a telling comment from her employer.
“My boss told me, ‘Don’t come back here, instead of being successful as an actress.'” he said. “I was really grateful to hear that.”
Sources: Daum
