It may seem as if celebrities live a picture-perfect life while we see them on the screen of our television or phones, in theaters, and concerts, or even in magazine spreads. That is a fallacy because there are, in fact, quite a number of celebs who have gone through struggles and hardship before reaching stardom.
These stars may have gone through rough waters and rocky paths, but their stories of determination, hard work, and perseverance will inspire us and make us appreciate them more.
Here are four of our favorite K-drama superstars, who went from rags to riches and who've risen through their humble beginnings.
IU
After having a large sum of debt, IU's family fell off from their comfortable lifestyle. IU and her brother were eventually forced to live with their grandmother. The star tried to pursue her singing career but did not have much luck at first. She even experienced being scammed by an agency she has auditioned for.
The celebrity struggled to pursue her career but did not give up. Then, in 2008, her situation started to change after debuting under LOEN Entertainment. Luck was already on her side, and she swiftly proved her prowess on both the song charts and the financial ladder.
READ ALSO: IU Reveals Major Reason She is 'Concerned' to Play as Single Mother in 'Broker'
Because of her tough past, she vouched to donate on several causes and was tagged as one of Forbes Asia's "Heroes of Philanthropy" in 2019 when her lifetime donations reached more than KRW 900 million.
The idol-actress also made her debut in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France to represent her movie "Broker," alongside Kang Dong Won, Song Kang Ho and Lee Joo Young.
IU is also slated to star in movie "Dream," alongside Park Seo Joon.
Park Shin Hye
The actress dreamed when she was young to become a police officer after she experienced poverty. Her mom was robbed of all their finances when she was still in first grade. The actress revealed in an episode of the Korean variety show "Knowing Brothers" the hardships that her parents had gone through just to be able to provide for their family.
READ ALSO: It's a Boy! Park Shin Hye, Choi Tae Joon Welcome Newest Addition to Their Family
Park Shin Hye stated that there was a time that her family was having financial difficulties, so they moved with her to Seoul and left everything behind. They supported the actress so she could become a child star.
The actress happily married her longtime beau and actor Choi Tae Joon on January 22, 2022, and gave birth to their first child on May 31, 2022.
Han So Hee
Han So Hee's popularity skyrocketed after the success of "The World of the Married." However, before she received international recognition, she was working at a bar everyday from morning 'til sundown.
It has been reported that she actually moved to Seoul with only KRW 300,000 in her pocket when she was 20 to pursue her acting career.
READ ALSO: Here's Why Han So Hee 'Loves' Reading Comments by Fans
Meanwhile, the actress has now established her career and headlined hit dramas "My Name" with Ahn Bo Hyun, "Nevertheless" with Song Kang, "Abyss" with Park Bo Young and Ahn Hyo Seop, and "Soundtrack #1" with Park Hyung Sik.
Sandara Park
Before Sandara Park rose to become a member of the iconic K-pop group 2NE1, she had to struggle her way to a comfortable life. When she was as young as eight years old, her family became poor when her father's business did not succeed and went bankrupt. They fell into deep poverty that they couldn't even afford to ride the bus. Her family then decided to start from scratch and move to a different country, the Philippines.
READ ALSO: Sandara Park Net Worth 2022: How Wealthy is the 'Cheese in the Trap' Actress?
Sandara struggled to learn a different language (Filipino), but she eventually turned her destiny around when she auditioned for a talent search show in the Philippines called "Star Circle Quest." She finished the show, winning as the first-runner-up, and right away started her acting career in the Philippines.
Unfortunately, her hard-earned savings was allegedly gambled away by her father and left their mother for another woman, which made our Dara be the family's breadwinner.
Do you know other Korean actresses who went from rags to riches? Tell us in the comments!
KDramastars owns this article.
