“Bought a 12-billion-won home, but only 250,000 won in the bank?” Complaint filed over Do Kyung-wan’s broadcast

[Financial News] A complaint has been filed seeking a review of a broadcast in which broadcaster Do Kyung-wan revealed that he had 250,000 won in his bank account and showed his frugal daily routine. Debate continues over whether it was appropriate for the program to emphasize financial hardship, given reports that Do and his wife, Jang Yoon-jeong, own a home valued in the 12-billion-won range.
According to Sports Chosun on the 29th, a complainant filed a petition that day with the e-People portal asking for a review of the episode of KBS2’s entertainment program “Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant” that aired on the 22nd. The petition asks whether objectivity was maintained in presenting Do Kyung-wan’s financial situation.
On the broadcast aired on the 22nd, Do said that only 254,795 won remained in his bank account because of falling stock prices and payments into a rotating savings pool, among other expenses. He also showed the habits he follows to save on maintenance fees: having the children collect water to flush the toilet, and keeping the living-room air conditioner off even in midsummer while taking the batteries out of the remote control.
After the broadcast aired, online opinions were divided over Do Kyung-wan’s frugal lifestyle. Some users said they found it difficult to relate to a couple who had bought a luxury home in the 12-billion-won range while emphasizing their bank balance and efforts to cut living expenses. Others argued that assets such as real estate are different from cash available to spend, and that living frugally is a personal choice even for people with considerable wealth.
The complainant took issue with the discrepancy between the Do couple’s reported wealth and the financial situation emphasized on the broadcast. According to Sports Chosun, the complainant argued that it should be determined whether the captions and editing, which highlighted the bank balance and frugal lifestyle, could have given viewers an impression at odds with the couple’s actual financial situation.
The complainant cited Article 14 of the Regulations on Broadcast Standards and Article 44(1) of the Broadcasting Act, among other provisions. The complainant was reportedly asking for an examination of whether public broadcaster KBS upheld objectivity and public responsibility in producing and airing the program.
Do Kyung-wan had previously also shared that he sold a watch from his collection to pay taxes. Appearing recently on the YouTube channel “SHW Saenghwalin-ui Sigye,” he explained that he sold the watch secondhand last May because he did not have enough cash to pay his taxes.
At the time, he confessed, “I was going through a lean spell,” adding, “I have to pay a lot in taxes in two installments, in May and August, but I had no work and YouTube wasn’t going well, so it was really tough.” He also said that he was unable to access the money he had invested in stocks right away.
He explained that his wife, Jang Yoon-jeong, takes responsibility for the major household expenses. But he said he wanted to cover some costs himself, adding, “I think I should at least pay the maintenance fees.”
Do Kyung-wan and Jang Yoon-jeong reportedly sold Nine One Hannam in Seoul’s Yongsan District for about 12 billion won in 2024, making a capital gain of around 7 billion won. They later bought a penthouse at Afer Hangang, in the same area, for about 12 billion won. No separate collateral mortgage was registered against the property, and the purchase was reportedly made entirely in cash.


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter