Kim Mu-yeol recalls surviving on P8,000 a year as rookie actor

As a reminder that success can sometimes take years to arrive, “Teach You a Lesson” star Kim Mu-yeol revealed that he once survived on just 200,000 won (around ₱8,000) for an entire year during his days as a rookie actor.

The 44-year-old actor shared his story during an appearance on tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block,” where he reflected on how difficult it was to pursue acting at the start of his career. Despite severe financial hardship, he stayed committed to the profession and continued pushing forward until he eventually broke through.

His wife, actress Yoon Seung-ah, also joined the program and looked back on those early years they experienced together. In a preview, she expressed appreciation for their long relationship, saying, “We’ve been together for a long time,” highlighting how they endured the struggle side by side.

Mu-yeol also shared a lighter reflection on how much his life has changed, recalling, “For the first time in 10 years, I heard from my neighbors that I looked cool,” marking a small but meaningful shift from his years of obscurity.

Now, Mu-yeol is experiencing a major career boost after latest series, “Teach You a Lesson” has become a global hit since its release, staying on the top spot worldwide for two consecutive weeks. It is still at number one in South Korea and sits at No. 2 on Netflix Philippines.

In the series, Mu-yeol plays the lead role of Inspector Na Hwa-jin, a member of a government agency. The story follows the Educational Rights Protection Bureau which was created to restore order in South Korea’s classrooms where students, parents, and teachers have disrupted the education sector by overstepping boundaries. 

It centers on the bureau’s mission to deliver a strict form of “proper education” aimed at tackling school violence and bullying. He has also appeared in notable Korean films and series such as "Sweet Home," "Juvenile Justice," "Space Sweepers," and "Forgotten."