On March 18, 2026, viewers of tvN’s popular variety show You Quiz on the Block tuned in for an episode that struck a resonant chord with anyone who’s ever struggled to chase a dream against the odds. The guest, actress Choi Ji-soo, recently gained widespread attention for her role as Kang Nora—the lovable, secretly wealthy heiress—in the hit tvN weekend drama Undercover Miss Hong, which wrapped up with a remarkable 14% viewership rating. But behind the glitz and the rising fame, Choi’s candid revelations painted a portrait of perseverance, hardship, and the quiet heroism of everyday resilience.
Choi Ji-soo’s journey to the spotlight was anything but easy. As she told host Yoo Jae-suk and the audience, she started her acting career 11 years ago, taking on minor roles and slowly building her resume. "I started out in bit parts, and this is the first time I’ve had a significant role," she shared, referring to her breakthrough as Kang Nora in Undercover Miss Hong (according to tvN and OSEN). The gravity of her first major scene—a hamburger-eating conversation with co-star Park Shin-hye—left her so nervous, she joked, "I almost fainted. I even wished I’d get sick so I wouldn’t have to film, or that Park Shin-hye would be too busy to come." She even practiced by eating ten hamburgers the night before, hoping to nail the scene. Now that’s dedication, albeit with a side of indigestion!
Yet, the nerves and excitement of acting were only one part of Choi’s story. Born in 1997, during the turbulence of the IMF financial crisis, Choi grew up in a household marked by economic hardship. Her mother, a bank employee, lost her job due to IMF-driven layoffs—a fact Choi only learned much later, when she landed her role in Undercover Miss Hong. "My parents wanted me to become a public servant because they thought acting was too unstable," Choi explained. The family’s financial struggles made her dream of attending an arts high school impossible, but she pressed on and eventually majored in Acting Arts at Sungkyunkwan University, determined to build her craft from the ground up (Sports Donga and bntnews).
But the cost of that dream was steep—literally. Choi revealed that her university tuition was about 4.5 million KRW (roughly $3,400) per semester. Because her studies stretched over six to seven years, by the time she graduated, her student loan debt had ballooned to nearly 50 million KRW (about $38,000). "When I turned 28, I started getting repayment notices," she recalled. "It made me feel like a debtor. I just wanted to pay it off as quickly as I could." The pressure was immense, and Choi responded the only way she knew how: by working.
From the age of 20, Choi took on a dizzying array of part-time jobs—costume mascot, logistics center, photocard factory, restaurant, kids cafe, and more. She worked six days a week, often rising before dawn to make early factory shifts, and spent her single day off each week racing to auditions. "There isn’t a part-time job I haven’t tried," she said with a wry smile. She even recounted a particularly memorable stint sorting K-pop photocards in a factory. "I once had to sort G-Dragon photocards with mint-colored hair for eight hours straight. By the time I left, I was seeing mint green everywhere—even on the subway ride home. After that, I couldn’t watch G-Dragon perform without seeing that color!" she laughed (OSEN).
Despite the humor, the toll was real. Choi’s mother, witnessing her daughter heading out to work at dawn, broke down in tears. "I remember seeing her cry, and it made me cry too," Choi admitted, her voice trembling during the broadcast. The emotional moment resonated with viewers, many of whom have faced similar sacrifices in pursuit of their own ambitions. "What kept me going was having a dream," Choi said, emphasizing the importance of hope even in the toughest times.
Choi’s relentless work ethic didn’t take a backseat even as her acting career began to gain traction. She continued juggling part-time jobs right up until the filming of Undercover Miss Hong. In fact, the day after taping her appearance on You Quiz on the Block, she was back at her restaurant job—a testament to her grounded approach, even as her star rises. "I’m still working part-time at a restaurant," she told News1, underscoring that the journey isn’t over just because she’s found a measure of fame.
Her story is also a testament to the challenges facing many young South Koreans. Student debt is a growing concern nationwide, with tens of thousands of graduates struggling to balance their financial burdens against the pursuit of their passions. Choi’s experience—practicing lines on buses and subways, working multiple jobs, and attending auditions in her precious free time—mirrors the reality for countless aspiring artists and professionals.
But there are glimmers of hope. Choi announced that by May 2026, she will have finally repaid her entire student loan—a milestone that drew applause from host Yoo Jae-suk and viewers alike. "This May, I’ll be done with my loans," she said, her relief palpable. It’s a small victory, but one hard-won through years of grit and sacrifice.
Choi’s acting journey, too, has been marked by steady progress. She made her media debut in 2015 with a short film, then built her filmography with roles in Criminal Minds, Boy Judgment, Surviving as an Entertainment Manager, and Joseon Psychiatrist Yoo Se-poong. In 2021, she landed a lead role in the EBS drama The Moment the Heart Shines, capturing the hearts of teenage viewers, and brought her talents to the big screen in the 2025 film Victory. But it’s her turn as Kang Nora—a character hiding her true identity as a chaebol heiress while living as an ordinary office worker—that has catapulted her into the limelight.
As Choi Ji-soo’s career continues to ascend, her story stands as a powerful reminder: dreams are rarely achieved without struggle, and every overnight success is years in the making. For now, she remains a rising star with her feet planted firmly on the ground, inspiring those who watch her not only for her on-screen performances but for the courage and tenacity she brings to life itself.