Singer Yook Joong-wan reveals 4 billion won assets and stage fright

During an appearance on MBC's 'Radio Star', singer Yook Joong-wan revealed he holds ten real estate properties, including land in Mangwon-dong, after a missed 850 million won investment opportunity grew to a current market value of approximately 4 billion won. He also discussed suffering from severe stage fright for seven years due to Hwabyung.

Singer Yook Joong-wan revealed real estate assets gifted by residents of Mangwon-dong and the period when he suffered from stage fright.

Appearing on MBC's 'Radio Star', Yook Joong-wan stated that the bond he shared with neighbors while living in a rooftop room in Mangwon-dong returned to him as a significant asset. He shared that because he treated the residents of Mangwon-dong like his own children, such as by sharing side dishes with them, the residents helped him by directly connecting him to real estate listings or helping him acquire buildings. He mentioned a property that an elderly landlord had suggested he purchase for 850 million won, but because he was unskilled in investment at the time, he hesitated; that property is now reported to be worth approximately 4 billion won at current market prices. He added that he holds ten real estate properties, including land worth about 600 million won in Mangwon-dong.

Stage fright, Hwabyung, and a new turning point

He also opened up about the psychological pain hidden behind his flashy appearance. Yook Joong-wan confessed that for about seven years, he suffered from severe stage fright to the point where he could not sing the first verse on stage. There was a period when he was so psychologically withdrawn that he even refused casting offers for broadcasts or YouTube. Mentioning that he suffered from Hwabyung at the time, he said he gained psychological stability and the courage to resume activities through a shaman he met by chance. The shaman reportedly recognized his Hwabyung immediately upon seeing him and advised him that if he only thought about what he wanted to do, everything would help him, adding that a grandmother and grandfather were praying beside him.

Recently active in producing content that travels across the country, he added that since receiving the advice to "only think about what you want to do," mysterious things have been happening, such as continuous casting offers and high YouTube view counts. He also expressed gratitude to his acquaintance Gura-hyeong, who continued to reach out with holiday greetings despite Yook having cut off almost all contact during his difficult times.

An expensive proposal during his days as a 29-year-old part-timer

An episode from his time working part-time at a live cafe in Bundang was also revealed. Yook Joong-wan recounted an episode involving a female customer who visited daily around the age of 28 and ordered expensive liquor, Chivas Regal. He said that when the woman's acquaintances visited together, a man attempted a proposal by offering alcohol to Yook at the woman's suggestion. The man was a family member of an official from a large corporation construction company.

Yook Joong-wan explained that when the man offered him alcohol and handed him a business card at the woman's suggestion, the atmosphere became stiff once it was revealed that he was 29 years old. It appears the people at the table had thought Yook was in his 40s at the time. Recalling the embarrassing moment, Yook said, "I felt so sorry that I had to leave the seat first."

The 'love for chicken' created by childhood deprivation

Specific stories also emerged regarding 'chicken,' one of the keywords that runs through Yook Joong-wan's life. He recalled a memory from the fourth grade of elementary school when he could not ask his parents to buy him chicken due to his family's financial situation. He said his first experience tasting seasoned fried chicken was from the picnic lunch of a classmate who was the daughter of a chicken restaurant owner. He shared the memory of giving the friend a roll of kimbap to get a little bit of seasoned fried chicken.

He lived diligently with the goal of "definitely eating chicken once I earn money," and stated that he has become a chicken lover who enjoys chicken about three times a week. During the broadcast, a test to guess chicken brands was conducted, and Yook demonstrated his deep interest in chicken by describing the characteristics of Norang Tongdak based on its curry flavor and crispy texture fried in a cauldron. He stated that he usually prefers original style brands like Pelicana.

Source: original video (YouTube)