“Disbanded” Idol Member Pleads Financial Hardship With YouTube Update, But Viewers Aren’t Convinced
When Jang Moonbok (also known as JMVOK, VOK, or Moonvok) debuted as part of the original four-membered LIMITLESS in 2019, following his hot topic of an appearance on Produce 101…
…his long-time fans—ones dating back to his Superstar K2 “Hiphop President” era—were elated for him.
But in the competitive world of K-Pop, LIMITLESS struggled to become a household name.
After two Chinese members were added in October 2019, the six-membered group’s future became bleak. Member Heeseok withdrew from the group, revealing the downfall of his mental health due to in-group strife and unfair treatment from the management, ONO Entertainment.
Since then, through 2023, five out of six members have left the management, moved on to debut in other groups, and/or won their legal battle to terminate their contracts. So while there has not been an official announcement, LIMITLESS has been well considered a disbanded group—with Jang being the last one signed under ONO Entertainment.
Yet, choosing to remain with the management has not helped Jang further his activities as an idol, or it seems. In the latest episode of YouTube channel Dunk Studio‘s “Life Restaurant” (In Saeng Ban Jeom) series, led by another former idol ZE:A‘s Kim Taeheon, Jang guested and spoke of the difficulties that he had been facing.
Pointing out how, at one point, he had a balance of ₩2,630 KRW (about $1.94 USD) in his account, Jang shared that over the span of two years during the pandemic, he “ran out” of work and was confronted with financial hardship. And, like Kim, Jang also worked manual labor gigs at Coupang, loading and unloading deliveries.
Kim Taeheon: So you debuted in an idol group, too. You and I have a lot in common. I used to work Coupang deliveries, too. You do loading work, right?
Jang Moonbok: Right. I’m working deliveries.
Kim: So I know how exhausting that is. I ended up going that route because I was struggling financially. I’d say the gap in my idol career came from that.
Jang: Same for me. I had not been active in two years. Naturally, I was running out of money to take care of myself.
Kim: Right. Without broadcast work, there’s no hope for people like us.
Jang: After having moved out of the dorm, I had to live alone. Like, I had to find a place to rent and… really had to support myself.
Kim: How broke were you? From what I remember, I’ve had as little as ₩1,000 KRW (about $0.74 USD) in my account.
Jang: I’ve had a bit more than you. But I still remember the exact amount. I was down to ₩2,630 KRW (about $1.94 USD). And that’s when I really started working. I only took one day off a week. For six days a week, I got my hands on literally anything and everything that would pay me. I’ve even taken on extra shifts at the distribution center—the tedious work that people don’t like to do.
The video has since circulated as an update to Jang’s whereabouts. And despite Jang’s effort to be optimistic about his situation, the segment about his financial hardship has not been well received.
Some brought up Jang’s scandal from 2020, pointing out that Jang only has himself to blame for his idol career falling apart…
- “Whatever happened to that ex-girlfriend of his? How did that scandal come to an end…?”
- “But that’s just life for everyone… Is he seriously complaining that he didn’t get to idol longer?”
- “Why is he making a big deal out of working deliveries? People take on labor gigs all the time. It’s called making a living.”
…while others blasted him for “making a big deal” out of getting a job and putting in actual work when most non-celebrities do the same without complaining.
- “But that’s how work is for literally everyone. For a second, I thought he’s doing something impressively different or something… Who even is this guy?”
- “I thought he was out of work because of his scandal that revealed what kind of a person he really is. Why is he pretending like he was forced to take a break?”
- “So… We all have to work a lot, too, to make a living. Just saying.”
- “I don’t understand why the management company kept producing albums for this dude…”
Meanwhile, Jang also revealed via the video that he is planning on enlisting in 2024. Looking at his current time out of the spotlight as “a period of preparation,” Jang remains hopeful that he could return to the Korean entertainment business after he completes service.
I believe I’ll be enlisting sometime this year. I haven’t shared that with anyone until now. But I’m hoping that the work I’m doing now will lead to more work after I complete my military service. I consider this time off as a period of preparation to make that happen.
— Jang Moonbok
Read more about Jang Moonbok’s scandal below.
Jang Moonbok Responds To Ex-Girlfriend’s Attempt To Expose Him
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