A top K-Pop idol-turned-actress is gaining renewed attention after candidly opening up about her financially difficult childhood, leaving many netizens deeply moved.
Kim Sejeong, who debuted as a member of Gugudan and has since built a successful career as both a singer and actress, has long been loved for her bright personality and positive energy. She rose to further fame after starring in hit dramas such as Business Proposal and Today’s Webtoon, establishing herself as a versatile, all-around entertainer.
However, behind her always-cheerful image lies a childhood marked by real financial hardship. In past variety show appearances, Kim Sejeong honestly shared that her family struggled financially during her school years. She revealed that she relied on a government-provided meal card for underprivileged children, explaining that she had a daily limit of just ₩3,500 KRW (about $2.41 USD) and often ate jajangmyeon to get through the day.
Jajangmyeon became her go-to choice because it was affordable and one of the few meals she could enjoy with friends. On rare days when coupon stamps piled up enough to order tangsuyuk, she recalled that it felt like a small celebration.
While her friends enjoyed trendy foods like pasta, Kim Sejeong said she couldn’t afford them at the time. Instead, she turned it into a dream for the future, making a promise with her mother that one day, she would earn enough money to eat every kind of pasta she wanted — and pay in cash.
Kim Sejeong has since fulfilled that promise and developed a strong sense of financial independence. She revealed her meticulous money-management habits, explaining that she divides her finances across multiple bank accounts to prevent unnecessary spending. She shared that she maintains separate accounts for spending, savings, interest accumulation, taxes, and emergency funds, totaling nine bank accounts.
After her story resurfaced, netizens reacted with praise and admiration.
| Nate Pann
- She’s so resilient and smart.
- I think she’s actually seeing success as an actress. She’s going around receiving lots of good awards.
- I don’t know idols well, so I didn’t know, but I saw her in her recent sageuk and she is resilient and down-to-earth when she acts. She’s so cute even crying, so I looked her up, and found out she was an idol. I didn’t know she grew up hard. Hope she does well.
- Our sunshine Sejeong. This drama was so fun to watch too. I didn’t know she grew up roughly. She’s so bright and cheerful that I didn’t imagine… Hope she continues to grow in the future!
Kim Sejeong’s journey, from childhood poverty to becoming one of Korea’s most beloved idol-turned-actresses, has once again reminded fans why she continues to earn respect both on and off the screen.