Jang Hang-jun Reveals His Miserable Bank Balance... Rejected by the U.S. Before His Honeymoon: "They Looked at Last Year's Income"

[Sportschosun Reporter Kim Soo-hyun] Director Jang Hang-jun, known as a "10-million-view director," shared a funny yet bittersweet story about his honeymoon at the time of his marriage.

In a video released on the YouTube channel VIVO TV on the 17th, Jang Hang-jun and broadcaster Choi Hwa-jung appeared and answered a variety of viewer concerns.

That day, the two discussed a submission on the topic, "Do you really have to go on a honeymoon?"

Jang Hang-jun, who is celebrating his 28th year of marriage this year, recalled his honeymoon with writer Kim Eun-hee and made people laugh by saying, "We went to Jeju Island, the ultimate tourist destination."

He then revealed that he had originally planned to honeymoon in the United States. Jang Hang-jun recalled, "At the time, alumni from our high school in Seattle and San Francisco said, 'Screenwriter Jang Hang-jun is getting married? He's our junior, so let's invite him,'" adding, "They had agreed to cover both the plane tickets and lodging."

But an unexpected problem arose. He was unable to obtain a visa for entry into the United States. Jang Hang-jun explained, "So I went to the U.S. Embassy to get a visa," and added, "But they looked at my income from the previous year."

"Even I thought, 'This guy would probably hide out there if he went,'" he said, honestly admitting, "Back then, I wasn't a salaried office worker, and my income wasn't steady," drawing laughter.

In the end, he failed to get the visa, and the U.S. honeymoon plan fell through. Jang Hang-jun said, "It was right after the IMF Crisis," and laughed as he added, "That's when I realized, 'Our national strength needs to grow a little more.'"

He also said he still remembers the humiliation he felt at the time. "I was really groveling," he said. "I still can't forget that condescending look."

Meanwhile, Jang Hang-jun married writer Kim Eun-hee in 1998, and the couple has one daughter.

shyun@sportschosun.com