In an interview with Ilgan Sports, Jaejoong admitted that while he has been praised as a “filial son” for supporting his parents — even buying them a mansion worth over 6 billion KRW — friends often joke, “Because of you, I look like a bad son.” The lighthearted teasing underscores the pressure he has faced since unveiling his family life on KBS2’s Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant, where he appears as a semi-regular cast member, sharing not only his cooking skills but also heartwarming stories with his parents, eight older sisters, and nieces and nephews.
Although many Korean celebrities avoid publicly revealing their families, Jaejoong gradually lifted the veil. He first appeared alongside his mother on KBS1’s Morning Yard before inviting audiences deeper into his household through Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant. For years, even his fans avoided discussing his adoption into his current family, viewing it as a delicate subject. But in his mid-30s, Jaejoong decided it was time to stop hiding. “If I keep everything bottled up, I’ll remain trapped by pain. By facing struggles openly, I become stronger — and my family does, too,” he explained.
The singer noted that opening up has been liberating not only for himself but also for his parents, who are now in their 80s. “I knew revealing my family would be a huge burden, but the show gave me an opportunity to be honest. My parents feel at ease now, and I finally feel relieved, too.”
Jaejoong also shared how his public image has affected his nieces and nephews. While his idol fame once gave them bragging rights, he joked that his long absence from the Korean entertainment scene had caused the “uncle buff” to disappear — until his recent resurgence brought it back. With his YouTube content Jae Friends, new idol collaborations, and his steady appearances on Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant, he is once again a source of pride for his family.
Reflecting on more than 20 years in the industry, Jaejoong acknowledged both triumphs and failures. Beyond his career as a singer, actor, and member of TVXQ and JYJ, he has founded his own entertainment company, produced a girl group, and even launched his own traditional liquor brand. “People tell me to slow down, but resting makes me restless. I want to keep challenging myself in new fields, even if I start as a beginner again. It’s exhausting at times, but it makes me happy.”
For Jaejoong, mistakes and hardships have been the foundation of growth. “I’ve made many mistakes, but I believe I grow stronger by overcoming them. Failure is what pushes me forward. I listen to advice, learn from risks, and if I fail again, I’ll just try again. Staying stagnant is never an option.”
Sources: naver
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