“Bought a 12 billion won home in cash” ... Do Kyung-wan’s “sold a watch to pay taxes” remark draws a chilly response

[Financial News]  Broadcaster Do Kyung-wan, 44, said he sold an expensive watch through a secondhand marketplace because he did not have enough money to pay his taxes. Some online users, however, said they found it hard to sympathize with his claims of financial hardship given the scale of his and his wife’s wealth.
Appearing on the YouTube channel “SHW: Watches for Everyday People” on the 22nd, Do shared his experience of selling a watch to pay his taxes. “I had to pay taxes last May, but I was a little short on money, so I sold my watch on Karrot,” he said.
He went on to explain that his income had fallen at the time, making it difficult to come up with the money for taxes. “I was going through a lean period. I have to pay a substantial amount in taxes in two installments, in May and August, but I had no work and YouTube wasn’t going well either, so it was really tough,” Do said candidly. He also said his money was tied up in stock investments, adding, “Because of Hynix, a lot of my money is tied up there, so I’m more or less being forced to adjust my finances.”
Do had also spoken about the burden of household expenses on KBS2’s variety show “Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant.” He said his wife, Jang Yoon-jeong, covers most of their living expenses, adding, “A lot of money goes into the house. Of course, the person who earns a lot of money (Jang Yoon-jeong) pays the big expenses, but I thought I should at least pay the maintenance fees.”
At the time, Do mentioned that their water and electricity use had increased and said, “The maintenance fees have gone up a lot compared with last month.” He also talked about not letting his children flush the toilet too often.
Some online users who saw these remarks criticized Do, suggesting he was putting forward what is known as a “hard-up persona,” emphasizing how financially strapped he was.
Some online users commented, “It’s surprising that taxes were such a burden he had to sell a watch,” “If your money is tied up in real estate, you might not have cash on hand, but that’s a different kind of worry from what ordinary people face,” and “With the scale of his wealth already known, I guess his comments don’t resonate as much.”
Do Kyung-wan and Jang Yoon-jeong reportedly sold Nine One Hannam in Seoul’s Yongsan District for about 12 billion won in April 2024, making a 7 billion won profit from the rise in its value. It was also reported that they later bought a penthouse at Aper Hangang in Yongsan District for 12 billion won in cash, without taking out a loan.
Do began his broadcasting career in 2008 as an announcer hired through KBS’s 35th open recruitment. He appeared on shows including “Vivid Information Show” and “The Return of Superman.” He married singer Jang Yoon-jeong in 2013, and they have a son and a daughter. After leaving KBS in 2021, he has worked as a freelance broadcaster.


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter