Lee Taesung Enlists in Military While Raising Son: "Financial Hardship... Juggling Debts with Card Loans"

On the 24th, the SBS entertainment program 'My Ugly Duckling' featured actor Lee Tae-sung meeting an acquaintance to discuss parenting concerns together.
Photo by SBS

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Actor Lee Tae-sung revealed that he experienced financial difficulties while balancing military service and childcare in the past.

On the 24th, SBS variety show 'My Ugly Duckling' aired a scene where Lee Tae-sung met with an acquaintance to discuss parenting concerns together.

That day, Lee Tae-sung said, "I went out with Hanseung and overheard children passing by talking about divorce," adding, "I’m fine with it, but I wondered if Hanseung would be okay. Nowadays, there are many single-parent families, but I worry that Hanseung might get hurt. Puberty will come too, and I wonder what I would do if he struggles."

He then talked about his past when he had to enlist in the military while raising his child. He recalled, "When I was in the military, Hanseung was six years old, and soldiers can’t engage in economic activities. But I had to send Hanseung to kindergarten and also send child support to my parents who were taking care of him, which was frustrating."

Lee Tae-sung said, "I tried to get a bank loan, but I was rejected because I was a soldier. In the end, I took out a card loan. It was a rollover loan. I was doing what I only saw on the news."

He continued, "After being discharged, I had to repay the money, so I couldn’t take time off work. Because of that, I couldn’t see Hanseung. He turned ten like that; time flies. My mother went through a lot."

Seeing this, Lee Tae-sung’s mother said, "I didn’t know it was that hard. When I asked, he said he borrowed from someone, but I didn’t know about these kinds of things," expressing her sorrow.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.