Actress Jin Ki-joo, who is currently gaining attention for her role in the Netflix series Teach You a Lesson, is once again drawing interest for her unusual career journey before becoming an actress.
Before making her acting debut, Jin Ki-joo worked as an employee at Samsung SDS, a broadcast reporter, and even a supermodel. As discussions about her unique career path resurfaced, a farewell email she sent to colleagues when leaving Samsung SDS also became a hot topic online.
According to posts recently shared on online communities and social media, Jin wrote to her coworkers: “I consider myself fortunate to have met so many wonderful people at my first workplace. Because it was such a great company, deciding to leave was not easy. But there was a dream I felt I would regret not pursuing 10 or 20 years later if I didn’t challenge myself now.”
One particular line resonated strongly with many office workers: “They say adaptation can lead to a frightening form of resignation. So before it was too late, I decided to draw my sword.” The quote reflected her determination to leave a stable corporate career in pursuit of a new dream.
Jin Ki-joo previously discussed her unconventional career journey during an appearance on You Quiz on the Block in 2021.
She revealed that her father, a journalist, inspired her interest in news reporting from a young age. “The stories my father told me about the world were always faster than the news. He seemed like such a cool adult to me.” After graduating from Chung-Ang University with a degree in Computer Science, she joined Samsung SDS.
Looking back on her corporate life, she recalled: “The training sessions and spending time with fellow new employees were actually more enjoyable than the work itself.” However, she eventually realized she could not give up her dream of becoming an actress.
Jin Ki-joo admitted that her mother noticed her growing unhappiness. “Apparently my expression kept getting worse on my way to and from work. My mother told me that if there was something I really wanted to do, I should try it.” At the time, employment opportunities in Korea were highly competitive, making the decision even more difficult.
After leaving Samsung SDS, Jin Ki-joo pursued journalism and worked as a reporter for Gangwon Broadcasting. Although becoming a reporter had long been a dream, the reality proved challenging. “During my trainee reporter days, the only personal time I had was when I washed my hair. It was so exhausting that I felt like I might throw up while shampooing.” Eventually, she left journalism as well.
Jin Ki-joo’s next career move came unexpectedly after her older sister encouraged her to enter a supermodel competition. Using profile photos she had taken while preparing for journalism exams, she passed the initial screening. Her experience participating in company performance groups during her corporate days also helped her stand out in talent evaluations.
The turning point arrived in 2015 when she successfully auditioned for the drama Twenty Again, finally achieving her dream of becoming an actress.
Even after her debut, Jin Ki-joo faced numerous setbacks because some casting directors considered her older than the typical rookie actress. However, she found encouragement from the director of Twenty Again, who told her: “You have talent. Why are you so worried about what others think?” Those words gave her the confidence to continue pursuing acting.
Reflecting on her journey, Jin Ki-joo said: “Acting is more unstable and damages your pride more than any other job I’ve had. But it’s also the most exciting and the job I love the most.”
She also shared her personal philosophy on career changes: “Changing careers requires being willing to let go of something. Even without a guarantee that things will get better, you have to ask yourself whether it’s something you truly want to do even if it means losing what you already have.”
Today, Jin Ki-joo is receiving praise from both domestic and international viewers for her portrayal of investigator Im Han-rim in Netflix’s Teach You a Lesson. Her powerful action scenes and stable acting performance have introduced her to an even wider global audience, while her inspiring career journey continues to resonate with people considering major life and career changes.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
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