Jung Sung Il surprised viewers by revealing that he continued doing part-time jobs even after the massive success of the Netflix drama ‘The Glory’.
The confession came during the August 22, 2025 KST broadcast of ‘The Jun Hyun Moo Project 2’ on MBN and Channel S. In its 43rd episode, hosts Jun Hyun Moo and YouTuber Kwaktube (Kwak Jun Bin) shared a meal with their guest Jung Sung Il on the “59th street table” of Daebu Island in Ansan. At the time of filming, the actor was preparing for the release of his new film ‘The Murderer’s Report’, and revealed that his weight had recently dropped to 66kg, adding: “I lost both body fat and muscle, so now I’m eating more for my health.”
Over a hearty meal of croaker soup, the three marveled at the flavors, exclaiming “this is so delicious” and “it’s insane.” Impressed by the actor’s appetite, Kwaktube remarked, “I think you’re the best eater we’ve had among all our food friends — almost like Kim Jun Hyun.”
But the biggest revelation of the night was Jung Sung Il’s part-time job story. When asked by Jun Hyun Moo about his debut, he explained that he began with theater in his early twenties, dropping out of university to pursue acting in Seoul. He endured long years as an unknown, supporting himself with various jobs: driving gigs, valet parking, café shifts, and even working evenings at a wine bar.
Then he admitted: “I even worked part-time after finishing ‘The Glory.’” The actor explained that he had taken delivery jobs with Coupang, surprising the hosts. When asked why, he clarified: “The settlement for my drama earnings had already been completed, but it wasn’t a huge or life-changing amount for me. I still had to make a living.”
Jun Hyun Moo commented that it was likely because he hadn’t yet had a true breakout, to which Jung Sung Il agreed: “Since then, I’ve been able to reach a point where I don’t need part-time jobs. Now I can live off my acting.”
Reflecting on his 20-year career, Jung Sung Il admitted there were many moments of doubt: “In my early thirties I wondered, ‘Can I really make a living from this?’ But I knew I couldn’t do anything else. Even if I stopped briefly, I would have come back to acting.”
SHARE
