Do you remember the 1992 drama Sons and Daughters that captivated the entire nation? One of its most beloved characters was the quirky youngest daughter “Jongmal,” portrayed by Kwak Jin Young.
With this role, she quickly rose to fame and earned the title of “the nation’s youngest daughter.” Her popularity soared to the point where she reportedly made 1 billion KRW (approximately $850,000 USD) just from advertising deals.
However, behind that dazzling success lay a dark shadow.
Unable to escape the strong public association with her character “Jongmal,” Kwak Jin Young decided to undergo plastic surgery. The constant labeling and lack of individual recognition became too difficult to bear. She once confessed, “I hoped people wouldn’t recognize me anymore.” For her, the surgery was a form of escape.
Tragically, the procedure led to severe side effects. A surgical mishap left her unable to open her eyes properly, which marked the end of her acting career.
Recalling that period, Kwak shared, “I went to many hospitals trying to fix it, but the emotional scars were even deeper.”
The aftermath didn’t end there. She also endured years of stalking from a man who harassed her for four years. The experience was so traumatic that she attempted to take her own life and later admitted, “I can’t open my heart to men easily. I’m afraid of marriage.”
Suffering from social anxiety, she withdrew from the public eye and spent years in isolation.
But she eventually found a new path forward.
For the past 13 years, Kwak Jin Young has been running a successful gat-kimchi (mustard leaf kimchi) business. It all began when she brought homemade kimchi to filming sets, and the overwhelming response led her to launch her own brand. She fondly said, “It all started with my mom’s recipe. People liked it so much, and that brought me here.”
In 2023, she appeared on television and revealed she had been dating someone for two years—a man who had quietly supported her through her most difficult times. With a bright smile, she expressed deep affection, saying he helped her regain joy in life.
Once a household name, then lost in silence, Kwak Jin Young is now shining again in a new light.
Her story is a moving testament to resilience—a reminder that hope can bloom even in the places once marked by pain.
Sources: daum