'The Taste of Wife' Ham So-won Declares Tight Budget: "Small Laundry by Hand... Only Washing Face at Dinner"

Photo by TV Chosun variety show 'The Taste of Wife Nowhere in the World' capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] On the TV show "Taste of Wife," Ham So-won set up an emergency savings plan after her husband Jin Hua's factory remained closed for three months. She emphasized measures such as timing how long the refrigerator door is open and doing laundry by hand.

On the 7th episode of TV Chosun's entertainment program "Taste of Wife," the couple Ham So-won and Jin Hua were shown entering a period of financial austerity.

During the broadcast, Ham So-won looked over the household ledger and said, "I'm going crazy." She then informed her husband Jin Hua and mother-in-law (Mama) about the financial crisis at home.

Ham So-won turned off all the lights in the house and said, "Our situation is tough these days. Do you know what our current situation is? Our income is half of what it usually is."

Jin Hua explained, "The factory in China can't open," adding, "We've been broke for three months." According to the broadcast, the Chinese government ordered a temporary shutdown of the factory. Ham So-won expressed concern, saying, "We both used to earn, but now our income has been cut by 50%. But expenses remain the same."

Ham So-won said, "The utility bill came out to 100,000 won. It used to be about 20,000 won," and held a family meeting with Jin Hua and Mama.

Ham So-won said, "We need a plan. We don't know how long the factory will remain closed," and added, "If we keep living like this, it will be a big problem. The factory has been closed for three months now. Our income is only half. If we spend money like before, our household economy will be in serious trouble."

She continued, "Mom just timed how long the refrigerator door was open. It was 13 seconds," and said, "If it's over 3 seconds, the electricity bill goes up a lot. You have to think about what to take out before opening the door, take it out quickly, and close it."

Ham So-won said, "The same goes for the lights," and added, "These days, the sun sets late. From now on, we should only turn on the lights after 7 p.m." She emphasized, "There will be no dining out at our house for the time being. Laundry must be done by hand. In the evening, only washing the face and brushing teeth. Water must be turned off immediately after use. That's how we can save."

Ham So-won planned to have Jin Hua teach Chinese lessons to earn money. She also showed herself cutting her own hair to save on beauty expenses. Ham So-won said, "It's been 13 years since I cut my own hair. That's why my hairstyle has been the same since my debut."

Jin Hua started looking for Chinese tutoring students through Ham So-won. He also worked part-time at a fabric factory, showing his responsibility as the head of the household, which evoked sympathy.