Actress and broadcaster Jung Gaeun opened up about misunderstandings that arose after her ‘financial difficulties’ confession. She explored new possibilities in her life through her taxi driver challenge, but clarified to some opinions, “This doesn’t mean I’m retiring from broadcasting or deeply struggling financially.”
On the 27th, Jung Gaeun released a video titled ‘Jung Gaeun Taxi Driver Challenge Compilation.zip’ on her YouTube channel ‘Wonder Gaeun_Jung Gaeun’. In the video, she candidly shared her thoughts on preparing for and passing the taxi driver qualification exam, as well as the new training process.
Jung Gaeun opened by saying, “I didn’t expect so many people would be interested. Sincerely, thank you.” She continued, “My father was a taxi driver, so it naturally came to mind. The certification exam wasn’t easy, and passing was just the beginning. The new training involved 8 hours a day for two days, and even sitting down was difficult.”
In response to speculation about her fully transitioning to a taxi driver, Jung Gaeun said, “Being a celebrity is always unstable. It’s just a preparation process to find a second possibility for future life,” and clarified, “I’m not quitting or retiring from broadcasting.”
After recently passing the taxi qualification exam, she expressed a positive view, “I heard that even major companies find it hard to earn 10 million won a month these days. If you work hard, being a taxi driver can be a good job.” However, regarding the ‘financial difficulties’ controversy that arose from this challenge, she added, “I’m not as affluent as I used to be, but I’m getting by. You don’t need to worry.”
Previously, Jung Gaeun shared her economic difficulties several times through web entertainment and YouTube. She confessed, “There was no work after filming a movie. I felt desolate seeing my bank account statement from the company,” and as this statement became a topic of discussion, concerns about her situation grew.
Some speculated that she left the entertainment industry for a livelihood-related career change. With this video, Jung Gaeun directly addressed such assumptions. She stated, “I’m still active in broadcasting, recently performing in the play ‘Love, Mom.’ I’m sustaining my life with various challenges.”
Born in 1978, Jung Gaeun debuted as a model in 1997 and gained public attention by winning Miss Korea Gyeongnam in 2001. She married a businessman of the same age in 2016 and had a daughter but divorced in 2017, just a year later. Since then, she has been raising her daughter alone, and her ex-husband was sued in 2018 for embezzling investment funds worth 13.2 billion won using a bank account in Jung Gaeun’s name, which stirred controversy.
Jung Gaeun, who is once again in the spotlight through new challenges, stated, “It’s not easy, but I’m living diligently. I’ve never given up on broadcasting or life,” showing a resilient attitude. In her sincere confession and honest life story, voices supporting her are increasingly heard from viewers.
