Im Soo-hyang Clarifies 'Gold Spoon' Rumors Amidst Renewed Interest in Song Ji-hyo's Family Background

Actress Im Soo-hyang has candidly addressed the persistent 'gold spoon' rumors surrounding her.

In a recent YouTube video, Im Soo-hyang reminisced about her affluent childhood, showcasing a blue marine padding she wore in middle and high school, stating, "My family was quite wealthy when I was young. My mom bought me things like this."

Following the release of photos showing her with supercars, the 'Im Soo-hyang gold spoon theory' quickly spread online.

Im Soo-hyang expressed her bewilderment, saying, "Someone twisted my words about 'showing off,' and suddenly I became like a chaebol who drives Ferraris and Lamborghinis." She clarified, "While it's true we were well-off in my youth, after my debut, my parents' business declined, and my father's health deteriorated. For over a decade, I've been the primary breadwinner."

Her parents were also concerned, reportedly saying, "She appears wealthy, which is different from the truth."

Amidst this, MBC's 'Chef of the Antarctic' revisited Im Soo-hyang's family background. When asked by chef Baek Jong-won if she had an "elite course in taste," Im Soo-hyang replied, "My parents ran a buffet restaurant in Busan. I tasted a lot of food from a young age," surprising viewers.

While some netizens commented, "As expected, she's a gold spoon," Im Soo-hyang had already clarified these misunderstandings multiple times.

Meanwhile, Song Ji-hyo, another celebrity often mentioned alongside Im Soo-hyang as a 'gold spoon,' is also seeing renewed attention regarding her family history.

Song Ji-hyo hails from Pohang, and her father is known to be the CEO of a shipping company operating a large 382-ton passenger ferry, earning her the nickname 'Pohang Ship Spoon.'

In a YouTube video from last year, Yoo Jae-suk mentioned Song Ji-hyo's family, saying, "There are rumors that your family is incredibly wealthy because you run a passenger ship business in Tongyeong."

Song Ji-hyo, appearing embarrassed, explained, "That's my parents' retirement fund. They used to run a shabu-shabu restaurant, and now they're in the ferry business to Yoljido."

Previously, on SBS's 'Running Man,' Song Ji-hyo revealed for the first time in 13 years of debut that her parents operate a passenger ship business in Tongyeong. Her fellow members were astonished, joking, "Are all the ships in Tongyeong yours?" and "She's the daughter of Tongyeong."

Her father is the CEO of Y Shipping, which operates a 382-ton large passenger ferry capable of carrying vehicles, connecting the Jungwha Port, Yoljido, and Yeonhwado islands in Tongyeong.

Furthermore, Song Ji-hyo's aunt is known as a veteran haenyeo (female diver) off the coast of Pohang, adding to the fascination with her seaside childhood.

Both actresses have garnered attention for their affluent backgrounds. However, Im Soo-hyang emphasized, "I don't want to be misunderstood because of my past image," while Song Ji-hyo stated, "It's all for my parents' retirement." Both have drawn a line against exaggerated 'gold spoon' labels.

Nevertheless, whenever their parents' professions and upbringing are revealed, netizens react with comments like, "Both are real gold spoons," "It's more admirable that they established themselves," and "I was surprised because it's different from their image."

Netizens have expressed varied reactions to the ongoing 'gold spoon' rumors surrounding Im Soo-hyang despite her clarifications. Comments like "It's more surprising because it's different from her image" and "The past is the past, the present is what matters" were common. Regarding Song Ji-hyo, remarks like "Tongyeong's daughter confirmed!" and "It's a shame she's misunderstood as if the business is her own wealth" also appeared.