As the reality of sustaining a living solely through acting becomes increasingly difficult, more actors are opening up about working part-time jobs and pursuing multiple careers behind the scenes. Their honest stories have drawn attention for highlighting the gap between the glamorous image of celebrity life and the challenges many performers face in everyday reality.
Actress Min Dohee recently shared her thoughts after wrapping up a café part-time job that she had maintained for over a year.
On June 17, Min Dohee uploaded a video titled “I Quit My Café Part-Time Job” to her channel. The video documented her daily routine from clocking in to finishing her shift, while also revealing why she started the job and ultimately decided to leave.
Min Dohee candidly admitted, “Before I started working, I didn’t have much going on and I felt like I had become a smaller version of myself. I was constantly feeling down.”
However, she explained that the experience changed her perspective. “While working, I realized that what I truly wanted was a job where I felt needed. After that, I strangely became more energetic,” she said.
She added, “Being recognized as someone valuable in this workplace made me feel better. In many ways, I look back on this experience very positively.” Her comments reflected a hopeful outlook and gratitude for the time she spent working outside the entertainment industry.
Actress Park Kyung Hye has also shared a similar side of her life.
In an April episode of MBC’s I Live Alone, viewers followed Park Kyung Hye’s daily routine as she settled into living on her own.
During the broadcast, she visited a café where she revealed, “I’ve been working here part-time for two years.”
Explaining her decision, Park said, “When I’m not working on a project, I don’t have a fixed income. I thought it would be nice to have an opportunity to earn money, so I started working.”
When asked how she balances acting and part-time work, she replied, “Many of my coworkers are actors as well, so we help each other by adjusting our schedules.”
She was also seen greeting customers who recognized her during her shift. Park expressed her appreciation, saying, “I’m grateful when people recognize me. Those moments actually give me a lot of energy.”
Actress Choi Ji Soo has likewise revealed that she continues to work at a restaurant despite gaining public recognition.
Appearing on tvN’s You Quiz on the Block in March, Choi Ji Soo shared that she had worked countless part-time jobs since the age of twenty.
She recalled experiences ranging from working in a photocard factory and logistics centers to wearing mascot costumes and working at kids’ cafés.
Discussing her financial struggles, she revealed, “By the time I graduated, I had accumulated about 50 million won in student loans. Once I started receiving repayment notices at the age of 28, I became determined to pay off my debt as quickly as possible.”
Choi Ji Soo also revealed that she was sorting photocards immediately before landing her role in the drama Undercover Miss Hong.
She explained that she currently works at a large restaurant in Jamsil, handling various tasks including dishwashing, making coffee, serving beer, and preparing fried chicken.
As more customers began recognizing her, she recalled a meaningful comment from her employer.
“My boss told me, ‘Don’t come back here succeed as an actress instead,’” she said. “I was truly grateful to hear that.”
Sources: Daum