Veteran South Korean actress Jeon Won-ju (전원주), 87, who played the landlord in Uee's drama Hyo-shim's Independent Life, was known for her foul language and opportunism, yet also her warm care for neighbors, making her a memorable character for many viewers. In real life, she is equally outspoken and daring, having frequently trended online for her sharp remarks. Recently, she was spotted at an entertainment venue in Cheongju, happily dancing to the music and even spinning around with a male fan. Her unexpected appearance quickly sparked discussion.
A lifestyle YouTuber, identified only as 'A,' posted several videos on social media on the 4th, excitedly writing: “Breaking news! Ms. Jeon Won-ju is here at our store now!” In the videos, Jeon Won-ju appeared to be in high spirits, smiling broadly as she enjoyed the atmosphere and danced to the live music.
A revealed that they have a personal connection with Jeon Won-ju, having previously helped arrange a junior's wedding and met her several times in Cheongju. An amusing incident occurred at the venue: the staff initially didn't recognize her, telling Jeon Won-ju, “You look a lot like Jeon Won-ju.” To their surprise, she wasn't offended and laughed, replying, “I'm often told I look like Jeon Won-ju.”
Later, a male customer recognized Jeon Won-ju and approached her. She showed no celebrity airs, immediately took his hand, and danced and spun with him to the music. Her friendly and enthusiastic “fan service” brought the atmosphere to a peak. A also praised her for demonstrating true professionalism as an artist towards the customers who recognized her.
Her lively dancing at the entertainment venue stands in stark contrast to Jeon Won-ju's long-standing image as a “queen of frugality.” She is known for her meticulous budgeting, even for small expenses, and her active financial management. Korean media previously reported that she had accumulated approximately 3 billion Korean won (around 70 million New Taiwan Dollars) in assets, making her a frequent topic on Korean variety shows.
However, in recent years, Jeon Won-ju has impressed audiences more with her bold personality, openly discussing relationships and topics of love and intimacy, rather than her “money-saving queen” image. She once invited a shaman to read her fortune on her YouTube channel. To her surprise, the shaman immediately declared, “Your sexual desire is also very strong,” adding, “It's completely on par with young people.” Jeon Won-ju playfully hit the shaman, laughing, “Oh my! How did you know? You scared me!”
Even more surprisingly, the shaman then stated that Jeon Won-ju “misses a man's embrace.” Instead of deflecting, she openly admitted, “I really forget how old I am... Sometimes I feel like a young person, and I also miss a man's hug.” Her direct comments sparked heated discussion, with many netizens remarking that she has a “girlish heart at 87.”
In fact, Jeon Won-ju's romantic life has been quite challenging. She married her first husband at 28 but became a widow just three years later when he passed away. Her second husband died in 2013, after which she lived alone for many years. Despite two marriages and facing personal lows, she has maintained her vibrant and optimistic personality, showing no signs of slowing down due to age.
Now at 87, Jeon Won-ju has not only been filmed dancing with a male fan but has also openly discussed topics like “strong sexual desire” and “missing a man's embrace.” She completely subverts the public's preconceived notions about elderly actresses, which explains why every time she speaks, she becomes a hot topic of discussion on Korean online forums.
