Seo Hyun-jin Encourages Youth: 'Today is the Youngest Day' on 'You Quiz on the Block'

On the November 20 episode of tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' (유퀴즈 온 더 블럭), actress Seo Hyun-jin shared her experiences during her hiatus, revealing that she dedicated herself to part-time jobs.

The episode featured Seo Hyun-jin alongside chef Fabri and forensic scientist Professor Kim Moon-young. Professor Kim, who pursued a career in forensic science after being inspired by a crime investigation series, recounted a heartbreaking story from his work. He described a tragic incident where an elderly mother and her middle-aged son were found deceased together. The discovery was made by a waterworks employee who noticed an unusually high water bill and conducted a site inspection.

Professor Kim explained, "Both individuals had mobility issues and were not classified as basic livelihood recipients. On paper, they appeared to have assets. They passed away while searching for assistance. Upon examination, it seemed the son had died first, leaving the mother unable to care for herself, which ultimately led to her passing as well. There were signs that the son had even helped his mother put on socks before he died," he shared, leaving the audience in shock.

Chef Fabri, who fell in love with Korea after arriving in 2018, spoke about his experiences working with Korean chefs. He noted, "I had never worked with Koreans before, but they are exceptional in the kitchen. They handle unexpected situations with ease and work diligently. These three qualities are remarkable." He also mentioned that his staff grew to seven members, with three being Korean, and he learned a lot about Korean cuisine, including a memorable experience with gochujang (Korean chili paste) that he initially mistook for Nutella.

In a surprising revelation, Seo Hyun-jin discussed her part-time jobs during her break from the entertainment industry. "I only promoted with MILK for a year and appeared on public broadcasts just four times. I was cast while walking with friends in front of Ewha Womans University during the street casting trend, and it was SM Entertainment that approached me," she recounted.

Reflecting on her hiatus, she said, "I didn’t realize it was over at first. As the years went by, I started to feel the reality of it. After transferring from a traditional music high school, I attended a performance by my former classmates and realized I could no longer do that. I remember crying a lot after that."

Seo Hyun-jin continued, "I attended auditions occasionally, but there were no opportunities. I was fulfilling my contract with SM and felt the pressure, so I diligently attended acting classes. My friends who debuted would often call me to help them practice, treating me like a teaching assistant."

She also revealed, "After filming 'Hwang Jin Yi,' I had a seven-year hiatus. Being older, I felt the pressure at home, so I took on part-time jobs, working at a sandwich shop and as a teaching assistant at an academy," which surprised everyone on the show.