[Sportschosun Reporter Jeong An-ji] Actress Hwang Hyo-eun has shared an update on her life as the operator of a clothing store for the past four years, and she also admitted that she once considered retiring from acting.
On the 24th, a video titled "Jang Young-ran's 30-Year Best Friend Hwang Hyo-eun Revealed for the First Time, After Filming a Drama That Hit 49% Ratings and Now Clearing Out a Clothing Store's Inventory" was uploaded to the YouTube channel "Class A Jang Young-ran."
In the video, Jang Young-ran visited the clothing store run by her longtime friend of 30 years, Hwang Hyo-eun, saying, "My friend is an actress, but she opened a clothing store."
Hwang Hyo-eun appeared in dramas such as "Queen of Housewives," the film "Stakeout," and the drama "My Only One."
Jang Young-ran greeted her close friend warmly, and Hwang Hyo-eun laughed, saying she had put up a sign for inventory clearance. She then joked that whether she should keep the store open or shut it down was up to the public, drawing laughter.
Hwang Hyo-eun, who has been running the clothing store for four years, said she spent only about 500,000 won on the interior by keeping most of the existing setup. She then candidly explained why she wants to quit, saying the return is too small for the energy and time it takes. In response, Jang Young-ran said she likes giving things away and that the store has plenty of customers but little profit. She added that Hwang Hyo-eun looks kind, so even if customers ask for a coffee, the extra cost ends up being greater than the benefit.
Hwang Hyo-eun said she has been juggling acting with a variety of other jobs. When she said she had appeared in supporting roles in miniseries for four years and had many other commitments, Jang Young-ran replied, "She's a multi-job worker. She also gives lectures, teaches at a university, and appears on broadcasts."
Hwang Hyo-eun's acting career was not easy either. After repeatedly failing auditions, she made her film debut in a minor role through "Bungee Jumping of Their Own," and later became known as a standout supporting actress in Chungmuro.
However, Hwang Hyo-eun said, "I was going to retire from acting. There are limits to getting roles through auditions, and I felt this was about the level I could reach, so I was preparing for marriage." She added, "Since it was going to be my last one, my agency told me to audition, and the project I got was 'Queen of Housewives.'" She continued, "As the drama received so much love, I was grateful to keep working in dramas after that."
Now, her desire to return to acting has grown even stronger. She said, "I'm seriously thinking about what to do with the clothing store," and added, "Until now, I wasn't sure whether acting was really what I wanted to do. It's not just about the joy of acting; there are so many things to prepare before and after. I think those parts were hard for me."
Hwang Hyo-eun also said, "Running the store made me realize again that acting is the most exciting and enjoyable thing for me." She added, "There is so much to learn from the work itself. Later on, I think, 'I should do it like that.'" She went on to say, "Going through so many things has broadened my emotional range. I think I can show a different kind of acting now," expressing anticipation for her return to the screen.
anjee85@sportschosun.com
