On May 29, 2026, South Korean actor Choi Ji-soo made a heartfelt revelation on the popular MBC variety show I Live Alone, sharing with viewers that she had finally finished repaying her student loan—a burden that had weighed on her for nearly nine years. The broadcast offered a rare, intimate look at the personal side of a rising star whose journey to financial independence has struck a chord with many.
Choi Ji-soo’s story is one of perseverance, grit, and, as she herself admitted, more than a few tears along the way. The episode began with a glimpse into her daily routine, which included the not-so-glamorous task of cleaning her home. But it was a trip to the bank that marked the real turning point: Choi had come to make the final payment on her student loan, closing a chapter that had defined much of her adult life.
“I finished paying off my student loan today,” Choi told the show’s producers, her voice tinged with disbelief and relief, according to MHN. The moment was the result of years of hard work—much of it outside the limelight. Choi explained that she had managed to make the last payment thanks to earnings from her part-time jobs, which included working at a restaurant and babysitting. “The money from my part-time jobs all came in,” she said, emphasizing that she still takes on such work even as her acting career gains traction. “Many people recognize me now,” she added, a hint of pride flickering through her words.
But Choi’s journey wasn’t just about balancing scripts and set calls with side gigs. Over the years, she took on a range of part-time jobs, sometimes in roles that might surprise her fans. “I’ve even handed out flyers while wearing a cat mask,” she revealed, according to EToday, underscoring just how far she was willing to go to chip away at her debt. “I worked hard at different part-time jobs to pay it off.”
What makes Choi’s achievement even more remarkable is her decision to shoulder the responsibility entirely on her own. Despite her mother’s repeated offers to help, Choi insisted on handling the repayments herself. “My mom asked, ‘Should I help you?’ But since it was the school I attended, not the one she went to, I felt it was right for me to pay it back,” she explained on the program. This sense of ownership and accountability earned her a round of applause from the show’s cast and, likely, from viewers at home as well.
The emotional climax of the episode came when Choi called her mother to share the news that the loan was finally behind her. The conversation was raw and moving. Her mother, her voice filled with pride and regret, told her, “Ji-soo, you worked so hard. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you more.” The words struck a deep chord, and Choi, unable to hold back her emotions, began to cry. “Now I have no more debt. I’m going to buy everything I want. And later, I’ll buy a lot for you too, Mom,” she said, tears streaming down her face, as reported by EToday.
Choi’s mother responded with warmth and encouragement, saying, “Today is a happy day for both Ji-soo and me.” She urged her daughter to finally enjoy the freedom she had earned: “Buy what you want, eat what you want, and do all the things you couldn’t do before.”
Despite the joy and relief that should have come with this milestone, Choi admitted that the moment was unexpectedly bittersweet. “Strangely, I felt empty,” she confessed during her interview with the show’s producers. “I didn’t think I would cry. I thought I’d just laugh and say, ‘It’s finally over.’ But instead, I thought, ‘I did it. I’m the kind of person who can do this.’” She continued, “I felt empty, and I thought of my mom. Nine years just passed by in a flash.”
This sense of hollowness after achieving a long-sought goal isn’t unique to Choi. Psychologists often refer to it as the “arrival fallacy”—the idea that reaching a major milestone doesn’t always bring the sense of fulfillment one expects. For Choi, the end of her student loan journey brought both pride in her accomplishment and a poignant reminder of the years and sacrifices it took to get there.
Choi’s story resonates with countless young adults in South Korea and beyond who face similar struggles with student debt. According to data from the Korean Ministry of Education, student loans are a significant financial burden for many graduates, often taking years—or even decades—to repay. Choi’s willingness to discuss her experience so openly on national television has been praised as both brave and relatable, shining a light on an issue that is often hidden behind closed doors.
Her journey also highlights the broader challenges faced by those in the entertainment industry who, despite public recognition, often work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Choi’s candidness about her ongoing part-time work, even as her career blossoms, provides a more nuanced picture of what it means to “make it” as an actor in today’s competitive landscape.
As the episode drew to a close, viewers were left with the image of Choi Ji-soo wiping away tears—not just of relief, but of reflection and hope. Her mother’s words lingered in the air: “Let’s walk only on flower paths from now on. I’ll be cheering for you.” For Choi, and for many watching, it was a reminder that sometimes the hardest-won victories are the sweetest, even if they come with a tinge of melancholy.
Choi Ji-soo’s nine-year journey to pay off her student loan is more than just a personal triumph; it’s a testament to resilience, independence, and the quiet strength found in everyday struggles. Her story, shared so openly and honestly, has offered comfort and inspiration to those still making their own way down similar paths.