That Awkward Moment Your Family Drama Goes National
Hey guys! So, something pretty heavy came up in the Korean entertainment world recently. You might know Kim Young-hee as a hilarious comedian, always ready with a quick joke. But on a recent episode of the KBS show ‘Malja Show,’ she got incredibly real about a trauma that almost destroyed her career and her life about seven years ago.
She was counseling a young person on the show who felt like their life was stuck, and she shared her own story, saying she once hit rock bottom. Her powerful metaphor for the experience? “Starting to walk through a field of sh*t.” It’s a shocking and visceral way to describe what she went through, and it all comes back to a uniquely Korean issue called “Bitoo.”
So, What’s a “Bitoo” Scandal?
For my American friends who aren’t familiar, let’s break down “Bitoo” (빚투). The word combines “bit” (빚), which means debt in Korean, with the ‘#MeToo’ movement. Around 2018, a massive wave of accusations swept through Korea where people publicly called out celebrities whose parents or relatives had borrowed money and never paid it back.
Kim Young-hee’s family got caught up in this storm. An accuser claimed that her parents borrowed 66 million won (around $58,000) way back in 1996 and never settled the debt. Even though Kim Young-hee had been estranged from her father for years and didn’t even know about the debt, her public image took a massive hit. In Korea, a celebrity’s career is deeply tied to their family’s reputation, so she faced intense public backlash.
The Aftermath and Her Darkest Days
Kim Young-hee confessed that the scandal, and the feeling that she had lost everything she’d worked for, led her to a very dark place. She admitted that after years of emotional suffering from the public fallout, she considered taking her own life. In one heartbreaking moment, she even recalled going up to the railing of her 16th-floor apartment, but ultimately coming back inside because it was too cold. She said that in that moment, realizing she was making excuses, she understood just how much she actually wanted to live.
Even though she was not personally responsible, she eventually took it upon herself to repay the debt to resolve the situation.
Turning Pain into Advice
Speaking on the show, Kim Young-hee used her painful experience to offer genuine comfort. She told the young audience that she once thought she was walking through a filthy field, but by continuing to walk, even if it felt like she was just walking in place, the ground eventually became fertile. It was her way of saying that even when things feel hopeless, persistence can lead to growth.
It’s a powerful reminder of the immense pressure Korean celebrities are under, where their families’ actions can completely derail their lives. Her honesty is pretty brave, and it’s given everyone a deeper look into the person behind the laughs.
