"Confession by Choi Kang-hee Catches Attention: Living on 1.6 Million Won a Month from Dishwashing and Housekeeping"

Actress Choi Kang-hee (47) confessed about her hiatus period during which she stopped acting and worked various part-time jobs such as dishwashing at restaurants and housekeeping assistance.

Actor Choi Kang-hee appearing in the Sebasi lecture. YouTube channel Sebasi lecture

On the 6th, a video titled "I was afraid after stopping activities. The story of Choi Kang-hee who went to find her true self" was uploaded on the YouTube channel 'Sebasi Lecture'. In the video, Choi Kang-hee, who appeared as a speaker, said, "I had quit acting," and added, "I thought I should stop acting because being a celebrity felt very heavy and uncomfortable. I was not happy and felt lonely." She also revealed, "Suddenly, when I faced misunderstandings or unfair situations, I wondered, 'Can I protect myself?' but I had no confidence. So I decided to stop."

Choi Kang-hee went on to confess that she was afraid because she did not study or pursue self-development outside of acting after quitting. She explained, "I didn’t study properly and had only acted for 25 years. After graduating high school, I didn’t do any other self-development," and said, "So I decided to try part-time jobs."

She said, "My friend runs a meat restaurant near Juan Station in Incheon," and "I worked as a dishwasher there. I also worked as a housekeeper at the homes of close fellow entertainers." She added, "It wasn’t to be funny; it was because that was all I could do."

Choi Kang-hee also revealed her monthly income from part-time jobs. She said, "I earned about 1.6 million won per month from part-time jobs. It covered utility bills, insurance fees, and simple living expenses," and added, "That gave me peace of mind." She recalled, "With my pocket money, I attended writing and editing academies," and said, "I wanted to keep all opportunities open."

She then expressed her conviction, saying, "During the time I quit being an actress and took on reckless challenges, I realized something. People don’t take a serious interest in me. So I thought I should go my own way with conviction."

Netizens who watched the video responded with comments such as "Thank you for the sincere lecture," "It gives comfort and courage," and "Your ever-changing appearance is admirable," showing their support.

Meanwhile, Choi Kang-hee debuted in 1995 with KBS’s ‘New Generation Report, Adults Don’t Know’ and actively continued her acting career through films such as 'Whispering Corridors', 'Sweet and Deadly Lover', and 'Petty Romance'. She took a break from acting for about three years. During her hiatus, news of her working as a restaurant dishwasher and housekeeper attracted attention. Last year, she launched the YouTube channel 'Nado Choi Kang-hee', where she shares her experiences trying various jobs such as sanitation worker, wallpaper installer, and Yakult delivery person, continuing to communicate with her audience.