Former child actress Kim Sung Eun, known for her role as Midal in the hit 1998 sitcom "Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic," has opened up about the challenges in her life after a dramatic change of fortune.

As reported by Spoen Newsei, Kim shared what it was like to be a successful child star at the young age of 10. She worked in commercials and bought herself an apartment while saving up 300 million won (around $250,000) at the time.

Kim shared this story from the MBC program "Radio Star," where she was recently a guest. But her luck turned quickly when much of her money was lost by her frugal father, forcing her to work multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet for herself and her family.

"I was confident, but when my father spent all my money, I only had to survive by myself," Kim explained.

After the "Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic," Kim's parents recommended that she go abroad to New Zealand to get away from her acting career and continue her studies.

However, she had to come back to Korea because her family did not have enough money to support her after 3 years abroad.

"I really just remember coming home and seeing the mess. My parents were so frustrated, they lost hope, and they couldn't even help me with anything," she recalled.

Usually, when facing this, your confidence tends to drop, but Kim kept herself positive and continued to act. She tried to get several part-time jobs at the same time, working in cafes and restaurants and helping with the rent and bills.

After they split, Kim knew she had to get creative with her time and broaden her job prospects, so in her 20s, the up-and-coming superstar looked for work in all fields available without giving up on her acting hopes.

She said: "I thought: 'Okay, I want to act, but now is not the time, that's fine. I need to make the most of this time."

Kim today now makes waves in the entertainment world and had announced her wedding in June 2024. Having faced the pressures of child stardom, her rise and fall serve as a cautionary tale for young actors in the industry.

Kim Sung-eun lived so much in the past until now, and as she moves forward, this story resonates with many who know what a balance one has to create while pursuing their dreams against adding on their basics of livelihood with family.