Seo Dong-joo Recalls Hardship: Relying on Free School Lunches During Study Abroad

Seo Dong-joo, a lawyer and broadcaster, has opened up about the extreme financial difficulties she faced during her time studying abroad, revealing that she often relied on free school lunches to get by.

In a YouTube video uploaded on the 12th to her channel, 'Seo Dong-joo's Comeback Journey', Seo Dong-joo shared her story with Director Ji-soo Cha, a makeup artist with 18 years of experience.

Recalling the difficult period starting two years ago, Seo Dong-joo mentioned the passing of her father, the late Seo Se-won, her mother Seo Jung-hee's battle with illness, and the death of her pet dog, all of which occurred around the same time. "Instead of overcoming it, I just lived day by day. I continued with my work, walked the dog in the morning, and endured by crying and laughing," she recounted calmly.

She revealed for the first time her struggles during her study abroad years, a topic she had never discussed in detail. After the cancellation of 'Seo Se-won Show', her family's financial situation worsened drastically. "When I was in college, I had absolutely no money, so I solved my breakfast and dinner with oatmeal," she confessed. The school's free lunch program was essentially her only proper meal of the day.

"The free lunch was my lifeline. I had to eat it to survive," Seo Dong-joo stated. She then recalled an unforgettable moment. "I went to get the free lunch, which was supposed to be available until 12 PM, but it was already cleared away. When I asked why, they said they cleaned it up early because there weren't many students." She shared, "I remember crying and arguing for food." The memory of eating a single plate in an empty cafeteria, feeling the staff's gaze and shedding tears, still lingers.

Korean netizens reacted with sympathy and encouragement, commenting, "Seo Dong-joo, you've been through so much," "It's inspiring to see you overcome tough times," and "Wishing you only good things ahead."