Actor Kwon Yongdeok, who appeared in 'Goryeo-Khitan War'
Working waterproofing on rooftops 6 days a week, daily wage 160,000 won
"No MZ generation, youngest on site... work overload"
The story of actor Kwon Yong-deok, who is juggling acting and rooftop waterproofing work, is gaining attention. He revealed that as an actor, he earns about 10 million won annually, but through waterproofing work, he earns around 4 million won per month. On the 10th, a video titled "44-year-old actor Kwon Yong-deok, who learned rooftop waterproofing skills while being an unknown actor and earns 160,000 won per day" was released on the YouTube channel 'Yeolhyeolnama'.
Kwon Yong-deok debuted in 2005 with a minor role in the film 'Jumeogi Unda' (Fist is Coming), and has since appeared in films such as 'Daebaewoo' (The Great Actor), 'Teukbyeol Simin' (Special Citizen), 'Hansan: Yong-ui Chulheom' (Hansan: Rising Dragon), and dramas including 'Again My Life', 'Geumsujeo' (Golden Spoon), 'Oraetdongan Dangsin-eul Gidaryeotseumnida' (I Have Waited for You for a Long Time), and 'Goryeo Georan Jeonjaeng' (Goryeo-Khitan War).
Regarding why he does rooftop waterproofing work, he said, "Since I am married and have children, I can't just say 'I am an actor' and not bring in money. Even though I am married, if I want to achieve my dream, I still have to do what I must. At least I have to provide for living expenses." He added, "If you work in a factory or office job, you have to inform when you are absent and take leave. But with fieldwork, if you notify in advance, you can take time off anytime."
He also said, "I am not young anymore. Even if I work for another 10 years, I will be in my mid-50s, so I was looking for fieldwork that I can do even as I get older. A close friend of mine worked here for 20 years. When I called and asked if I could work, he said, 'There is no one to do it these days. Come,' so I started."
Kwon Yong-deok revealed his current income, saying, "I get 160,000 won per day. I work about 25 to 26 days a month. My monthly income is in the low 4 million won range." He continued, "When it rains, water leaks, right? My job is to prevent that. I work in cold places when it’s cold and hot places when it’s hot. The MZ generation avoids this. I have never seen anyone younger than me in this industry," he said.
Regarding his income as an actor, he said, "Last year, it was about 10 million won a year," and added, "There were people who said, 'I will just be an actor,' but now even those people are doing two jobs. It’s an unavoidable reality." He continued, "My main job has become rooftop waterproofing. The job with higher income is my main job. When I think about it, acting has never been my main job in terms of income." However, he added, "My children say their dad’s job is an actor."
He said, "We have plenty of work. There are too many sites. (If you are looking for a job) you can definitely find one. Large companies are always short of workers," and emphasized, "During the rainy season, it rains a lot, right? I thought I would rest, but when it rains, there are places where water leaks from the sites we worked on. We go for repairs throughout the rainy season. Even during the rainy season, I work 25 to 26 days a month. Six days a week is the basic. I think rooftop waterproofing work will definitely continue to be abundant."
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