Kim Jae-joong's Mother Reveals Story of Paying Off Million-Dollar Debt Through Restaurant

The mother of singer Kim Jae-joong shared her inspiring story of single-handedly paying off a substantial debt incurred by her husband's business failure, deeply moving viewers.

The KBS2 entertainment show 'Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant' featured a 'Mom's Hands Special' episode in anticipation of the Chuseok holiday.

Kim Jae-joong's mother recounted the difficult times when she became the sole breadwinner for her nine children after her husband's business collapsed. She chose to work in a restaurant as it was the quickest way to earn money. There, she learned to prepare all the dishes, including jokbal (pig's trotters), boribap (barley rice), and sujebi (hand-pulled dough soup), working diligently at her sister-in-law's establishment.

Initially, the restaurant struggled with few customers. However, a delivery order for jokbal from a police station marked a turning point. The kimchi pancake, served as a complimentary side, became a huge hit, leading to the restaurant becoming a popular spot for Gongju city officials.

Through these efforts, the restaurant achieved monthly sales of 30-40 million Korean Won. Within just one year of opening, she successfully cleared a debt of 100 million Korean Won, a testament to her resilience and hard work.

Kim Jae-joong expressed his admiration for his mother's dedication, exclaiming, "Wow, Mom, you're amazing!" His mother responded with a touch of sadness, saying, "My body was ruined back then." Kim Jae-joong also shared a touching memory of his father shedding tears while watching their old house being demolished to build a new two-story home. His father later expressed his profound gratitude to his wife, stating, "I have nothing to say to my wife. I felt like such a sinner. I always tell her, without a person named Yoo Man-soon, a man named Kim Bong-hyun would not exist."

Kim Jae-joong is a prominent member of the global K-pop group JYJ and also enjoys a successful solo career as a singer and actor. Renowned for his powerful vocals and versatile talents, he has garnered a dedicated international fanbase. Beyond his musical endeavors, Jae-joong has consistently expanded his artistic reach into acting and variety shows.