The glitz and glamour of the K-pop and K-drama world often hide a harsh reality for many artists. Recently, actress Min Do Hee, known for her breakout role in ‘Reply 1994,’ candidly shared her struggles during an acting hiatus, revealing she’s been searching for part-time work. Her revelation, particularly the emotional reaction from fellow actor Son Ho Jun, has sparked a heated debate among fans and netizens, shedding light on the often-unseen challenges behind the scenes.
Min Do Hee, who is currently on a break from acting, revealed that she has been searching for part-time work to support herself. The revelation drew widespread attention after it was shared that actor Son Ho Jun became emotional and even cried upon hearing about her situation, prompting sharply divided reactions from viewers.
On the July 26 broadcast of the SBS variety show ‘My Little Old Boy’, Min Do Hee was shown calling multiple cafés in search of a part-time position, only to be turned down repeatedly. During the episode, B1A4’s Baro and actor Kim Sung Kyun visited Min Do Hee’s home, where the three caught up on each other’s lives.
During their conversation, Baro recalled an incident involving Son Ho Jun. He shared, “When Son Ho Jun found out Min Do Hee was working part-time, he was so heartbroken that he cried.”
Min Do Hee elaborated, recalling, “We had an unexpected gathering after a long time, and I went after finishing my part-time shift. He asked me what I had been doing, and I told him I had just gotten off work.” She continued, “Of course, Son Ho Jun had been drinking a little, but he started crying, saying, ‘Why do you have to work a part-time job?'” She added, “Seeing him cry made me cry too.”
Viewers Divided Over Son Ho Jun’s Reaction
The broadcast sparked mixed reactions online. Some viewers criticized the emotional response, commenting: “Why cry over someone working at a café?” “If acting isn’t paying the bills, isn’t getting a part-time job the obvious thing to do?” “I’m tired of celebrities appealing to people’s emotions whenever they’re struggling,” “‘Why do you have to work part-time?’ sounds like it’s looking down on people who work those jobs,” “She’s still getting paid for appearing on variety shows, isn’t she?” and “It’s understandable to sympathize privately, but this didn’t need to become a television story.”
Others defended both Min Do Hee and Son Ho Jun, leaving supportive comments such as, “It’s not that part-time work is something to be ashamed of. She has dreams she wants to pursue, but acting isn’t working out right now, and she still has to make a living. It’s understandable to cry,” “When you want to work but can’t find opportunities, your confidence takes a hit. Even getting yourself out the door can be difficult,” “I hope someone like her finds success,” “I hope Min Do Hee lands a breakout project,” and “Son Ho Jun was simply speaking from the perspective of a fellow actor who felt sorry for her. People are being too sensitive.”
The Stark Reality: Income Gap in K-Entertainment
The conversation around Min Do Hee’s situation also highlighted a stark reality within the South Korean entertainment industry. According to the National Tax Service’s sample data on 2021 earned income and comprehensive income tax filings, the income gap among entertainers is vast.
Among 16,935 people who reported income as actors, the top 1% (169 actors) earned an average annual income of 2.2659 billion KRW (approximately 1.6 million USD). Similarly, for 7,720 people reporting income as singers, the top 1% averaged 4.6177 billion KRW (approximately 3.3 million USD) annually. Even for models, among 9,536 people, the top 1% earned an average of 453 million KRW (approximately 325,000 USD) per year. These figures underscore the financial precarity faced by many, even established, artists outside the top tier.
Min Do Hee’s Brave Job Search During Acting Hiatus
The episode also followed Min Do Hee’s daily life after joining ‘My Little Old Boy’ as a new cast member. She introduced viewers to her clean, white-toned duplex studio apartment before browsing online job listings for part-time work.
Min Do Hee personally called several cafés, asking questions such as, “Is it okay that I don’t have experience working closing shifts?” and informing employers that she “might not be able to commit for more than six months.”
After receiving rejection after rejection, she admitted, “It’s not easy finding a job.” She also contacted the owner of a café where she had worked in the past to catch up. “I recently finished a musical, so I have some time before my next project,” she explained. “I’ve been looking for a part-time job in my neighborhood, but it hasn’t been easy.” The café owner encouraged her, saying, “You’re quick to pick things up and learned the job very fast. I’m sure you’ll do well wherever you go.”
Min Do Hee’s mother also shared that the actress had struggled emotionally during her extended break from acting. She explained, “As the hiatus got longer, her self-esteem dropped a lot. Since she started working, she’s become much brighter and is doing much better.” Later in the episode, Min Do Hee reunited with her former ‘Reply 1994’ co-stars Kim Sung Kyun and Baro, where they reminisced and caught up after a long time apart, a comforting moment amidst her job search journey.
Min Do Hee’s story resonates with many who face career uncertainties, regardless of industry. Her honesty, Son Ho Jun’s heartfelt concern, and the ensuing public debate truly highlight the human side of the K-entertainment world, reminding us that behind the fame, many artists navigate real-life struggles just like anyone else. Fans worldwide will be watching, hoping she finds her next big project soon.
