Tae Jin-ah Recounts Hardship in Childhood on 'Hwanggeum Tongil Rice Meal'

Veteran trot singer Tae Jin-ah appeared on TV Chosun's 'Hwanggeum Tongil Rice Meal' (also known as 'Hwanggeum Rice Meal' with Huh Young-man), sharing poignant memories of his impoverished childhood that touched the hearts of viewers.

During his visit to Seocheon-gun, South Chungcheong Province, with host Huh Young-man, Tae Jin-ah was reminded of his mother's cooking. When asked about memorable dishes, he recalled a time when his family struggled to afford even basic side dishes.

"My family was poor, so we didn't have many side dishes," Tae Jin-ah explained. He described how they would gather acorns in the fall to make acorn jelly, a staple food. He further revealed that instead of proper seasoning, they would dissolve coarse salt, typically used for salted mackerel, in water and sprinkle it over the jelly.

He also shared the difficult experience of not being able to bring a lunchbox until he graduated from elementary school. Tae Jin-ah confessed that he would fill his empty lunchbox with mud, or drink tap water during lunchtime to quell his hunger, painting a vivid picture of his past struggles.

Tae Jin-ah debuted in 1972 with the song 'Chupungnyeong'. He rose to fame with hit songs like 'Dongbanja' and 'Okgyeong-i', becoming a beloved national singer. His sincere music and life stories have resonated deeply with the public.