Kim Jaejoong's story of repaying a 100,000-won kindness draws praise from comedian Kim Daehee

Comedian Kim Daehee was moved by a story of gratitude from Kim Jaejoong, the 40-year-old singer and former member of Dong Bang Shin Ki.

Kim Jaejoong recently appeared as a guest on Kim Daehee's YouTube channel "Kkondaehee," where he spoke about the struggles he faced before his debut.

Without financial support from his family, Kim pursued a career as a singer and passed an audition to become a trainee at SM Entertainment at age 16, moving to Seoul on his own. Supporting himself while training left him in dire financial straits. He recalled often walking for hours between Apgujeong-dong and Chungjeong-ro because he could not afford subway fare. To make ends meet, he took on part-time jobs delivering newspapers, working at construction sites and waiting tables at restaurants.

"You know those people who go around selling gum and small items at restaurants," Kim said. "I bought goods wholesale to try to sell them and pay my monthly rent, but nothing sold. Then around 6 p.m., desperate as I was, I walked into a supermarket — of all places — and tried to sell them there." He laughed at the absurdity: the supermarket already stocked the very items he was trying to sell, yet he had walked in asking them to buy his.

The supermarket owner looked at him and said, "Hey, you look about the same age as my son — why are you out doing this? How much do you need?" When Kim answered that he needed 100,000 won ($71), the owner handed him the money and bought his goods. The gesture allowed Kim to cover his monthly rent.

Kim did not forget the kindness. After his debut, he went back to find the supermarket. "I thought I had to repay him at least tenfold, so I went with a bundle of cash," he said.

It turned out the supermarket owner was also a pastor at a church in the same building. Kim introduced himself to the pastor, who did not remember him clearly, and said, "Thanks to you saving me back then, I've grown up well." He then offered the money he had brought. When the pastor declined, Kim used the cash to buy armfuls of red ginseng products and gift sets from the supermarket and presented them to the pastor along with his thanks.

Kim smiled as he recalled the memory, saying it still fills him with pride. "I felt so good that day," he said, and went on to say, "There were a few people like that, and I went around that neighborhood looking them up one by one."

Kim Daehee, listening to the story, said, "A person's true character shows itself in moments like this — not forgetting that kindness." He added, "That's impressive. Well done."