Actor Jung Il Woo, who has starred in dramas like "Brilliant Days" and "Diary of a Night Watchman," drew attention after revealing some never-before-heard information about his elite family background. This revelation came when the actor appeared on KBS2's "Problem Child in House" to promote his latest weekend drama.
During the episode, Jung launched into his family's upbringing by introducing the influential role his mother has played in the cultural heritage field.
"My mother is currently a Cultural Heritage Committee member at the Cultural Heritage Administration. She earned her doctorate in China and also researched ancient textiles in Korea. According to an article in Koreaboo, viewers were particularly surprised by the extent of her expertise.
Her notable work extends further: as the head of the Ancient Textile Research Institute, she is one of only seven cultural heritage experts who review holders of Intangible Cultural Properties and Human Cultural Assets. This information provided a new context to Jung's artistic inspirations, especially about his historical drama roles.
Jung continued to describe how his mom's keen eye for design helped his acting career get off the ground. "When I was filming Diary of a Night Watchman, my mother personally designed the patterns for my hanbok costumes. When I auditioned for High Kick Through the Roof, I wore a leather jacket my mother bought me, and I got cast in that. Whenever I had an audition, my mother would pick out or make clothes for me."
According to a report from Sports World, the admiration for his family grew further as Jung discussed his father's achievements: his father had been the captain of his high school kendo club, then a KBS reporter, and later a distinguished university professor.
The contributor went on to mention that he has a lineage that is traced back to the historical figure Jeong Yak Yong, a highly regarded scholar. This adds depth and context to his family's background and educational roots.
Many of the interviews were centered on his mother's side of his family and included his grandfather, who was a prominent member of the medical field and the director of a general hospital, among other things.
Jung's family's involvement in the fields of culture, textile research, writing, and the university system of education all come together to describe a family that is very educated and well-accomplished; however, before reading these interviews, viewers may not have known much about the accomplishments or accomplishments of Jung's father.
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