K-Pop Stars Who Worked Hard To Become Successful & Clear Their Parents’ Debts

There are many South Korean idols who come from a humble background, and have worked extremely hard to succeed and make a name for themselves in the music industry.

Many have opened up about the difficulties and struggles they’ve encountered while growing up. Here’s a list of artists who did not take no for an answer, became successful in their careers, and managed to pay off their family debts.

1. IU

Lee Ji-eun, professionally known as IU, revealed that her family's financial situation deteriorated when she was still a child. The singer used to live in a small room with her grandmother who sold accessories at a nearby market to cover IU’s living expenses and to make ends meet.

In 2006, while auditioning for a number of entertainment agencies, IU was scammed by fake companies. However, she refused to give up and continued to pursue her interest in the music industry.

IU succeeded in landing a contract with Kakao M in 2007 and made her singing debut in 2008. In 2010, IU managed to establish herself as a successful singer. The singer managed to pay off her parents’ debts three years after her debut.

2. Girls' Day's Hyeri

Lee Hyeri who debuted as a member of K-pop band Girl’s Day in 2010 had to live away from her parents in the past due to their financial circumstances. However, in 2014, the idol used her savings to not only pay off the family debt but also managed to buy her parents an apartment along with a luxury car.

3. MC Gree

Kim Dong Hyeon, better known by his stage name MC Gree, began his career at the age of 18. He had mentioned that he is in the process of repaying his mother’s debt during his past interviews.

The rapper also revealed that his parents were divorced and that his mother had go into a debt of 1.7 billion South Korean won ($1.4 million). While his father, Kim Goo Ra, who is also a television personality, has paid off some of the debt, the 21-year-old expressed his wish to clear all of his mother’s debt over time.

4. Chungha

Kim Chung-ha, popularly known as Chungha, is a singer, dancer, songwriter, and choreographer. In 2019, the singer revealed that she has cleared her family’s debt. She also mentioned that she got a designer bag for her mother who never spent money on herself and used eco-bags.

According to kpopstarz, the singer also added that her mother handles her money and gives her a monthly allowance of 500,000 won ($31,000). She also added that if she needs more money, she just asks her mom.

5. INFINITE's Sungyeol

Lee Sungyeol debuted as a member of the K-pop band INFINITE in 2010. The 29-year-old had disclosed his dreams of paying off his parents’ debt in the past. He eventually succeeded in doing so and also gave his parents the rest of the money he saved up for them to spend it.