Comedian Heo Kyung-hwan, who earned tens of billions of won from chicken breast business, has no home of his own

Comedian Heo Kyung-hwan, known for earning tens of billions of won from his chicken breast business, does not own a home. He sold his Gangnam apartment three years ago and moved into a jeonse — a lump-sum deposit rental — at a Han River-view unit, only to watch the apartment he sold rise in value by around 500 million to 600 million won.

On Thursday, a video titled "The first reveal of 45-year-old Heo Kyung-hwan's peak-looks management routine — including dermatology procedures" was posted to his YouTube channel.

In the video, Heo turned on a selfie camera from his apartment balcony. Gazing out at the view, he suddenly remarked that he regretted being on a jeonse lease.

Looking out at the Han River, he said, "It's quite a shame that this isn't my own place," before quickly changing the subject — "Let's stop talking about real estate" — drawing laughter.

Heo's sudden lament over his jeonse arrangement had a backstory.

Earlier, in July, on the same channel, he went on a real estate tour of Hannam-dong and recalled selling his former home.

"About 10 years ago, I had an apartment at Gangnam-gu Office Station — the L apartment," he said. "But I wanted a Han River view, so I moved here."

He added, "I lived there for about eight years, and three years ago I sold it — but instead of buying a new place, I came here on a jeonse."

Heo expressed frustration that the apartment he sold had since risen sharply in value.

"I've completely failed," he said. "That place has gone up by about 500 million to 600 million won ($448,000). I should have kept one place while doing all this — I don't know why I did it. I'm so angry. Why didn't I buy this place?"

Heo launched his chicken breast business in 2010 and went on to generate 60 billion won in sales. In 2022, he purchased a newly built building in Suwon under joint ownership with an acquaintance for 8 billion won, completing the final payment that October.

He also sold his brand "Heo Dak" to Fresheasy in 2022 for a reported sum of more than 100 billion won. Heo received a stake worth around 30 billion won ($22.4 million).