In the past, Mnet’s variety show “TMI News” revealed a ranking of self-made stars, with Won Bin ranked 3rd. On the show, MC Jang Do Yeon shared stories from Won Bin’s childhood, stating “Won Bin earned pocket money by catching and selling snakes when he was little“, attracting the attention of viewers.
Won Bin’s strong sense of independence is said to stem from the hardships faced by his family. Jang Do Yeon explained, “Won Bin’s father worked in a coal mine to provide for his children’s education, despite the difficult economic situation.Growing up in such an environment, Won Bin developed an independent personality early on and eventually built his own success.
Won Bin’s rise to fame wasn’t based solely on talent. His journey to becoming a celebrity after moving to Seoul to pursue his dream of acting has inspired many. He worked part-time to support himself while auditioning in his free time. His big break came when he auditioned for a competition for rookie actors held by Cheil Broadcasting and was accepted. Lacking the resources to take professional profile photos, Won Bin used a camera his sister had at home to take his own photos to submit, showing how determined he was to become an actor.
Fashion designer André Kim, recognizing Won Bin’s looks and talent, invited him to his fashion show, which helped introduce him to the public. From there, Won Bin steadily grew into a beloved actor.
His success was not just due to luck, but the result of continuous effort and perseverance. In the past, his parents tried to dissuade him when he expressed his desire to become a celebrity, saying: “Do you think becoming a celebrity is easy? Even in downtown Gangneung there are many people more beautiful than you.” Despite his parents’ opposition, Won Bin remained focused on his dream.
Today Won Bin is a top star earning up to KRW 800 million per commercial. He and his wife, actress Lee Na Young, co-own three buildings in Gangnam, with total real estate assets estimated at around KRW 25 billion.
In a past appearance on MBC’s “Radio Star,” Won Bin indirectly mentioned his real estate and confessed: “My father died early, so our family was in financial difficulty. For this reason I have always dreamed of owning a house.” He added: “I worked hard to earn money for my family, and that’s how I got to where I am today.“
Won Bin’s story remains an exemplary case of self-made success, teaching many that relentless effort and patience are essential to achieving one’s dreams.
Source: Daum
