Jo Hye-ryun Opens Up About Past Insecurities and Struggles

On December 8, during the MBC program 'Heartfelt Talks: Speakers' (심장을 울려라 강연자들), comedian Jo Hye-ryun reflected on her past struggles with self-esteem. She shared her feelings of inferiority when comparing herself to fellow comedian Jang Do-yeon, stating, "Whenever I see Jang Do-yeon, I think, 'How nice for her.' I often wondered, 'Why am I short and stout?' and this led to feelings of inadequacy."
Jo continued, "I never had a sense of ease in my life. From a young age, I felt the pressure to excel and be the best, which made me constantly compare myself to others. For instance, my close friend Park Mi-sun's success made me feel inferior, and I would find myself counting how many shows Kim Sook was doing compared to me. This constant comparison made me unhappy, and I dedicated my life to proving my worth, which ultimately caused me a lot of pain."
She also revealed that her career in Korea and Japan brought about significant challenges, leading her to contemplate giving up and experiencing severe depression. However, she found solace and healing through reading, which helped her overcome these difficult times.