South Korean actor Byeon Woo Seok has opened up about the difficult financial challenges he faced early in his career, revealing that he made an unconventional decision while struggling with debt in order to pursue his acting ambitions.

Naver reported that the actor shared his experience during a recent episode of Netflix's variety program "Jae-seok's B&B Rules!", which premiered on May 26.

During a meal with guests and fellow cast members, a guest actor asked Byeon and actor Lee Kwang Soo how they coped with long breaks between projects and periods without work. After reflecting on the question, Byeon explained that he chose to focus entirely on developing his acting skills, even when his financial situation was uncertain.

"It's really tough, but I made a choice," he said. "There are many good people in this field, but the way to beat them is to immerse yourself in acting."

Per Koreaboo, the actor then revealed that he carried significant debt when he was younger and trying to establish himself in the entertainment industry. Rather than increasing his work hours to earn more money, he decided to spend less time working part-time jobs.

"I had quite a bit of debt when I was young," Byeon said. "But despite not having money, I actually reduced the time I spent on part-time jobs."

He explained that he feared becoming comfortable with a stable monthly income and losing the urgency needed to achieve his goals. According to Byeon, he maintained that mindset even while remaining financially in the red. His remarks reportedly rendered the people seated there speechless as well, pointing to how risky his decision had been.

Lee Kwang Soo also gave some counsel during the conversation, stressing the need to have psychological fortitude amid career hardships. He admitted that he struggled with periods of inactivity and turned to exercise as a way to stay focused and positive.

"Jae-seok's B&B Rules!" stars Yoo Jae Suk, Lee Kwang Soo, Byeon Woo Seok and Ji Ye Eun as they operate a lodging camp for guests. The program features activities such as cooking, campfires and sports games and is scheduled to release episodes over a two-week period.

Byeon, born in 1991, began his entertainment career as a model at age 20 before transitioning into acting. He made his acting debut in the 2016 tvN drama "Dear My Friends" and later gained popularity through projects including "Strong Girl Nam-soon' and the hit series "Lovely Runner".

Most recently, Byeon starred in the MBC drama "Perfect Crown''. Following the series' conclusion earlier this month, the production became the subject of controversy related to allegations of historical distortion and the Northeast Project, prompting the actor to issue a public statement expressing regret over the concerns raised by viewers.