"Not Embarrassing Even for Students to See"
Jeon Han-gil, a top instructor in the field of Korean history, attracted attention by revealing that he paid 2.5 billion KRW in taxes this year alone.
On the SBS show "My Ugly Duckling" aired on the 13th, Jeon Han-gil, a leading instructor in Korean history, appeared. On the show, Jeon met with broadcaster Kim Jong-min and actor Choi Jin-hyuk at actor Lim Won-hee's house. MC Seo Jang-hoon introduced him as a "star instructor who achieved annual sales of 20 billion KRW." He is known as an instructor who ranked first in the Korean history section of the civil service exam for 10 consecutive years and has taught over one million students cumulatively.
On that day, Lim Won-hee asked Jeon Han-gil, "Who was the richest person in Joseon?" Jeon replied, "The richest person in Joseon, commonly known, was the merchant Im Sang-ok, who was active as a trader in Uiju, Pyeonganbuk-do," adding, "He was so wealthy that he paid 40,000 nyang in taxes annually. There is even a story that he alone paid a quarter of all the taxes in Joseon," which surprised everyone.
At this, Choi Jin-hyuk asked, "Teacher, how much tax do you pay?" Jeon Han-gil revealed, "I paid 2.5 billion KRW in taxes this year." The cast members present were shocked and asked again, "Not salary, but taxes? Taxes paid in February?" Following Choi Jin-hyuk's question, "Did you establish a corporation?" Jeon clarified, "I am an individual, an instructor."
When Lim Won-hee said, "I have received the model taxpayer award twice," Jeon Han-gil responded, "I am also a model taxpayer," adding, "I should say my life is proud even to others, and I am not ashamed in front of my students."
Jeon Han-gil graduated from Kyungpook National University with a degree in Geography and from Dong University Graduate School of Education with a major in Geography Education. He is currently active as the lead Korean history instructor at MegaStudy Education's Mega Civil Service Academy. He is also a powerful YouTuber running the channel "Kkotboda Jeon Han-gil" with over 490,000 subscribers.
He has previously attracted attention by revealing his annual sales and taxes. In November last year, on a variety show, he shared the story of how he was recognized as a star instructor for the college entrance exam at a young age, ventured into business, but ended up with tens of billions of won in debt and became a credit delinquent.
Afterward, he returned to teaching civil service lectures to repay his debts and succeeded in making a comeback, revealing, "In 2023, I paid 1.5 billion KRW in comprehensive income tax and 52 million KRW in national health insurance premiums." He added, "Once your income reaches a certain level, 50% goes to taxes. People think I earn a lot of money, but after paying 50% in taxes, I pay living expenses, assistant fees, and so on. The net profit is about 10 to 20%."
Regarding why he talks about taxes, Jeon Han-gil confessed, "It was one of my dreams." He referred to his poor childhood and the time when the list of famous high taxpayers was made public, saying, "Even as a child, I wanted to earn a lot of money later and be on the list of those who pay a lot of taxes."
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