It’s hard to believe that Jo Jung-suk, now one of Korea’s most successful and beloved actors, was once so impoverished that he couldn’t afford 180,000 KRW, roughly 122 USD, to avoid a life-altering decision. The man who now commands over 100 million KRW (approx. 69,000 USD) per drama episode and 500 million KRW (approx. 342,000 USD) per commercial was once granted a military exemption not through privilege, but through sheer economic hardship.
Though often mistaken for a chaebol heir thanks to his composed, polished image, Jo’s early life was anything but luxurious.
A Life Shaped by Loss and Hardship
Born in 1980 as a late child to a mother already in her 40s, Jo’s life took a devastating turn when his father passed away unexpectedly. At just 21, he became the sole breadwinner for his family. Balancing school and survival, Jo worked an exhausting string of part-time jobs, from cafeteria assistant to manual laborer, all while supporting his widowed mother.
After three attempts, he finally earned admission to the Seoul Institute of the Arts, relying on student loans to get by. But by his second year, he reached a breaking point, unable to take out further loans due to poor credit and faced with an impending military enlistment notice, Jo admitted to almost giving up.
“I really felt like giving up,” he later said, reflecting on that time. “But I thought about my mother and decided to keep going.”
Military Exemption: From Criticism to Sympathy
When news of his military exemption surfaced early in his career, it sparked public backlash and suspicion. But Jo never shied away from the controversy. He clarified that he never attempted to dodge service through loopholes like graduate school enrollment or civil service exams. Investigations proved his honesty.
The truth? He was granted exemption under the “economic hardship” clause, a category reserved for those with household assets under 13 million KRW (approx. 8,900 USD) and monthly income below 180,000 KRW per household member. In other words, he qualified because his family was struggling to survive.
A Self-Made Success and Family Man
Jo’s story is one of grit, resilience, and transformation. Today, he stands at the peak of Korea’s entertainment industry, thriving across film, drama, musicals, and variety shows. His cheerful, witty persona and versatile acting have earned him nationwide love and industry-wide respect.
In 2018, Jo married renowned singer Gummy after five years of dating. The couple welcomed their daughter Ye-won in 2020, and they remain one of K-entertainment’s most adored families.
From near rock bottom to stardom, Jo Jung-suk’s journey is not just inspiring, it’s a testament to perseverance and self-belief.