From Rags to Riches: The Inspiring Journey of Delivery Driver Jeong Sang-bin

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Jeong Sang-bin, a 26-year-old delivery driver, has captured the public's attention by saving 300 million won in just six years.

On the recent episode of tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block,' Jeong shared his determination to succeed after experiencing poverty and his parents' divorce during his childhood.

Jeong revealed, "I started working as a delivery driver at the age of 20. Initially, I delivered 15 packages, and the next day, I delivered 60. My first paycheck was 1.9 million won."

Today, Jeong is among the top 1% of delivery drivers. He stated, "I deliver up to 700 packages a day, earning between 12 to 13 million won a month. I save everything except for 4 million won for living expenses." He added, "Though poverty was painful, I was determined to succeed."

Jeong's success is attributed to his relentless effort. He memorized maps and checked delivery routes even on his days off to improve efficiency. Skipping meals and working tirelessly towards his goals, his dedication moved viewers deeply.

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MC Yoo Jae-suk asked, "Since your work is tough, you must eat well. What does your mother say?" Jeong replied, "She feels sad when I come home drenched from the rain. She often worries, but I assure her I'm fine. I need to succeed, so this is nothing. I change my shoes every two months." The production team revealed that Jeong walks 30 km and takes 50,000 steps daily, astonishing everyone.

Jeong's drive to succeed stems from his childhood family struggles. He explained, "My parents often fought over money. My father's business failed, and unpaid employees and loan sharks frequently visited our home. Eventually, my parents divorced, and my mother worked night shifts at a logistics center to support my sibling and me. It was heartbreaking, and I vowed to succeed as an adult."

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Jeong continued, "We once moved to a semi-basement apartment, which was terrifying. It was moldy, infested with bugs, and flooded during heavy rain. I felt sad comparing our home to others. Visiting friends' spacious apartments made me envious, wondering why we couldn't live like that. Seeing my mom and sibling in a one-room apartment was unacceptable to me."

"From then on, I worked even harder, enduring more hardships than others," he said. "The first thing I did after earning money was to move. At 23, I moved to a rented apartment and finally had my own room, which felt great."

Currently, Jeong is paying off a housing loan through a subscription plan and considers having his own room in a rented apartment a significant achievement. His story is a testament to perseverance and the pursuit of dreams despite arduous labor.

Na-yeon Cho, TenAsia Reporter nybluebook@tenasia.co.kr