Sergio "Drowning in Debt Because of Ex-Husband... Sang Desperately at Nightclub" Confesses to Depression

Photo by TV Chosun, screenshot from the broadcast of 'Nae Sarang To You'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Singer Seo Ji-o confessed to the financial hardships that even made him consider extreme measures.

On the 1st, Seo Ji-o appeared on TV Chosun's 'My Love To You.'

Seo Ji-o said on the show, "While preparing for my second album, I suddenly left the stage thinking, 'Is this not my path?' I took about seven years off, and by chance, I met someone. He was a businessman, and he felt like a father and an older brother to me, so I was the one who fell for him first," he began.

Seo Ji-o shared, "I thought it wouldn't be so bad to live an ordinary life supporting one person, even if I wasn't a celebrity. Honestly, I hadn't completely given up on my dream of being a singer, but because of his opposition, I stopped altogether," revealing his past decision to give up his singing career.

He continued, "After that, I worked hard supporting him, thinking things would go smoothly. But during the three years of marriage, the businesses failed one after another, and I even received help from my parents. Recovery was practically impossible, and not only did I have debts in my name, but my parents had also co-signed, so the debt was substantial," he shared his difficult story.

He added, "Eventually, I separated from my husband. Afterwards, I tried playing piano at a restaurant and worked hard at part-time jobs, but the money was never enough to live on. The city gas and electricity were all cut off," he said.

Seo Ji-o said, "At that time, my friend, singer Kim Hye-yeon, came to my house and saw me sleeping in the air conditioning. The very next month, she sent me 500,000 won in cash and said, 'Use this money to handle urgent matters first, and I'll help you, so let's work together.' So, I sent my child to my parents and worked singing at nightclubs for about five years, really giving it my all," he said.

However, Seo Ji-o also said that the tough schedule and financial difficulties made him consider extreme measures.

Seo Ji-o confessed, "After moving to a small one-room apartment and doing laundry, I suddenly felt like the bricks on all sides were closing in on me. Light came through a small window, and I thought if I went there, I might survive, so I crawled toward it. Before I knew it, my legs were even hanging on the window."

Fortunately, Seo Ji-o said, "At that moment, my younger brother, who was on military leave, came to find me. He pulled me out."

He said, "After that, I developed depression and absolutely did not work on Saturdays and Sundays," adding, "On weekends, I went to see my son and strengthened my will to live. I also started to change my personality."

He expressed gratitude toward his brother, saying, "My brother took me out to meet people and even took me to the market. He used almost all his leave for me."