Although he was accepted into the Seoul Institute of the Arts with dreams of becoming an actor, financial difficulties forced him to take out student loans while supporting his family.
When Jo Jung-suk received the military enlistment notification, he was deeply worried that there would be no one to take care of his mother if he joined the army. After much discussion, he asked for a military exemption.
At that time, military exemption could be granted for financial hardship if one’s assets were less than ₩13 million and monthly income was less than ₩180,000. Jo Jung-suk met these criteria and was granted exemption.
Subsequently, Jo Jung-suk chose to focus on earning money rather than studies. He began working on musical stages, dutifully supporting his mother despite her meager income.
When news of Jo Jung-suk’s military exemption became public, rumors spread accusing him of avoiding military service.
However, once the full story of his family’s financial difficulties emerged, many expressed sympathy.
Today, Jo Jung-suk is recognized as a talented actor, constantly appearing in hit films and dramas, and is now the top casting choice in both industries.
In his debut film “Architecture 101,” Jo Jung-suk made an indelible mark with just 10 minutes of screen time, reportedly earning around ₩100 million for that role.
Now, his film fees reach ₩200 million per project and he earns ₩100 million per drama episode, leaving many in awe of his incredible success.
Source: Daum
