Actor Jung Sung Il, known for his fairytale-like romance, has decided to part ways with his spouse after a nine-year marriage.
On Tuesday, his agency, XYZ Studio, announced that after careful deliberation, Jung Sung Il and his spouse have chosen to follow separate paths. They added that the divorce was amicable and reached without fault on either side. Both parties have agreed to support each other as they move forward independently. Regarding their child, the agency stated that they will continue to co-parent to the best of their abilities.
Jung Sung Il, who debuted in theater in 2002, spent years honing his craft on stage in plays and musicals before gaining widespread recognition. His breakout role came in 2022 with the Netflix series The Glory, in which he delivered a nuanced portrayal of Ha Do Young, a complex character with a history of school bullying.
Jung Sung Il tied the knot in 2016 and has one child. During an appearance on tvN’s popular variety show You Quiz on the Block, he shared the heartwarming story of his relationship with his wife.
On the show, Jung Sung Il revealed that his wife majored in pipe organ. He reminisced about their early days, saying that they met in their twenties. When she went abroad to study, they maintained the relationship for three years through emails and phone calls.
He continued that they were apart for about 7 to 8 years, but during that time, she still visited his mother in the hospital. Jung Sung Il added that when they reconnected, they decided to marry after just three months.
This September, while promoting his film Murderer Report, Jung Sung Il made a candid revelation. He disclosed that even after his role in The Glory, he continued working part-time as a Coupang delivery driver to make ends meet. He admitted that he had debts to pay off just to survive.
Jung Sung Il elaborated that before The Glory, his earnings were barely enough to live on. Even the pay from the show wasn’t substantial. While the series was a hit, he had to keep working part-time to support his family. His words underscored his commitment as a provider for his household.
Jung Sung Il shared that it’s been three years since he quit his part-time job. Now, he can eat whatever he want without worrying. He can buy sneakers after contemplating twice instead of three or four times. It’s not just him; many people go through this. The part-time work wasn’t about doing something extraordinary—it was a necessity for survival.
When asked about how fame has changed his life, Jung Sung Il remained grounded. He stated that becoming well-known hasn’t fundamentally changed him and as long as he’s not breaking any laws, he still do everyday things like smoking outside or eating alone, and that he lives like anyone else.
In a previous interview, Jung Sung Il credited his family for helping him persevere through years of obscurity. He emphasized that family always came first, before money or fame. Even now, his happiness stems from seeing my family proud and content. Without them, he wouldn’t have had the motivation to come this far or work as hard as he have in life.
Jung Sung Il also spoke lovingly about his son. With a proud smile, he shared that his son goes to a local kindergarten. His swimming instructor asked him to get his autograph and it was a heartwarming moment.
