Model-turned-broadcaster Joo Woo-jae revealed on Saturday that he faced industry discrimination early in his career, sharing how he was discouraged from pursuing modeling jobs because he did not follow the traditional path into the fashion world.

Appearing on the June 1 episode of the YouTube talk show Fairy Jae-hyung, Joo opened up about his unconventional rise to fame and the challenges he faced navigating multiple roles in Korea's entertainment industry.

"I didn't come from a modeling academy, I came from the street. That led to a lot of jealousy," Joo said. "I overheard people telling designers not to cast me, just because I hadn't followed the traditional path."

Joo first gained attention after a candid street photo of him went viral during his college years.

That exposure led to opportunities in fashion, broadcasting, and eventually acting.

Despite his growing visibility, he said he often felt like an outsider.

"I debuted alongside people like Jang Ki-yong and Byun Woo-seok," he said. "

But I knew from the start I couldn't be the top model. I was still doing some radio work and running my business."

Joo explained that transitioning between modeling, broadcasting, and acting placed him in what he called a "gray zone," where his multifaceted identity wasn't fully accepted in any one industry.

"When I went into broadcasting, people said, 'He's just a model,'" he said. "When I returned to modeling, they'd say, 'He's just a TV guy.' It was like I didn't belong anywhere."

His experiences extended to acting as well, where he felt similarly boxed in. "When I tried acting, people wouldn't take me seriously. They'd say, 'Isn't he just a broadcaster?' I felt stuck, lost between three identities."

Despite these challenges, Joo said he remained committed to proving his versatility.

"Eventually, I thought, 'If people want to put me in a box, fine. But I know I can do all three. So I'll just keep doing TV and runway both.'"

Fans of the candid Joo applauded his self-confidence in being himself, unencumbered by the market's politics.

Joo has continued to work in fashion, television, and film, creating a vibrant career on his terms.