A recent video titled "Why Are You Playing Hard to Get?" featuring Jung Nak-hee, who was once mistaken for a paid escort, was uploaded on the YouTube channel 'Special World - The People of That Time'.
Jung Nak-hee, who rose to fame with an underwear commercial alongside Lee Deok-hwa, appeared in the video to discuss her recent life. Reflecting on her heyday, Jung recalled, "After one commercial, my appearance fee skyrocketed from 2 million won to 10, 20, or even 30 times that amount," reminiscing about her past success in films and dramas.
However, her glamorous days came to an abrupt end. Jung shared an incident from a party frequented by celebrities. She recounted, "There were many famous political figures, and when I went downstairs, there was a pool and rooms everywhere," adding, "A well-known person called me over and asked, 'Do you want to come in and talk?'"
Jung lamented, "I was widely reported as a woman who attended parties for money," and added, "I held a press conference to clarify, but not a single article was published." She revealed the emotional toll it took on her, leading to a year-long stay in a mental hospital due to social anxiety and panic disorder.
In an effort to heal from the trauma, Jung moved to Japan, where she unexpectedly found a new career. "I studied beauty in Japan and opened a skincare shop," she said, noting that she has been in the skincare industry for nearly 30 years.
Currently, Jung has handed over her skincare shop to an employee and occasionally works part-time. Embracing a new challenge as a senior model, Jung expressed her desire to return to the stage, reigniting her passion for acting.
Reporter Na-yeon Cho, Ten Asia nybluebook@tenasia.co.kr