Korean Trot Singer Jang Yoon-jung Opens Up About Her Bittersweet Birthdays

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Korean trot singer Jang Yoon-jung recently revealed her emotional journey of spending over 30 years with bittersweet birthdays, amidst reports of her estrangement from her mother.

On the January 15th episode of TV CHOSUN's 'Sikgaek Heo Young-man's Baekban Journey,' Jang Yoon-jung appeared as a guest to celebrate the Lunar New Year on Ganghwa Island, a border island of the Korean Peninsula.

During the show, Jang shared, "I was born on the Lunar New Year's Day," to which host Heo Young-man responded, "You must have never had a proper birthday celebration," prompting Jang to open up about her past.

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Jang recalled, "My father is the eldest son, and I am the eldest daughter. Having a daughter was already a disappointment, and with my birthday falling on Lunar New Year, I couldn't have a birthday meal."

She expressed the sadness of hearing, "How can you eat with the ancestors?" and remembered how even a simple birthday meal was a luxury overshadowed by the ancestral rites table.

Jang continued, "I spent about 30 years with sad birthdays," adding, "It was only after becoming a celebrity that I could confidently say, 'My birthday is on Lunar New Year.'"

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She also shared how her birthday celebrations have changed since getting married. "Since getting married, I proudly celebrate my lunar birthday," Jang said, adding, "After the New Year's rites, my mother-in-law makes seaweed soup just for me," creating a warm atmosphere.

In the past, Jang claimed that her mother squandered all her money and left her with a debt of about 1 billion KRW (approximately 10 million USD), leading to a family estrangement. Jang Yoon-jung married Do Kyung-wan in 2013, and they have a son and a daughter.

Reporter Na-yeon Jo, Ten Asia nybluebook@tenasia.co.kr