South Korean singer Kim Yeon-ja (김연자), considered a pioneer of Korean music overseas, launched a successful career in Japan in the 1980s, where she became known as the 'Queen of Enka.' Recently celebrating her 52nd debut anniversary, Kim appeared on the show “You Quiz on the Block” to discuss her life in entertainment, unexpectedly revealing a painful past from her time in Japan. She disclosed that she spent 20 years in Japan, accumulating an estimated ₩100 billion (approximately NT$2.2 billion) in income, but ultimately received nothing, returning to Korea almost penniless.
Kim attributed this low point in her life to her ex-husband, to whom she was married for 30 years. The trust built over decades between the couple ultimately collapsed during their divorce, and it was only years later that she first publicly shared this untold experience.
During the September 30 broadcast of tvN's “You Quiz on the Block,” when asked about her income during her time in Japan, Kim calmly stated, “I never counted the money; I just kept singing.” This single sentence encapsulated her state of mind at the time.
At that time, her ex-husband was not only her spouse but also the CEO of her management agency. He was responsible for managing everything from fees for overseas charity performances to various expenses during her activities in Japan.
Kim confessed, “I never asked how much money I earned, nor did I ask how much money he had.” For many years, she chose to fully trust her husband, rarely inquiring about her income or financial status.
In 1982, Kim married a second-generation Korean resident in Japan, who was 18 years her senior. Their marriage lasted for 30 years until their official divorce in 2012.
However, the real problem surfaced during the divorce. As she prepared to return to Korea, Kim hoped to at least recover a portion of the savings she had worked hard to earn over the years. To her surprise, her ex-husband coldly replied, “There’s nothing, absolutely nothing.” Kim recalled that he even explicitly told her “not a single penny,” instantly turning the fruits of her years of hard work in Japan into thin air.
Ultimately, Kim had no choice but to return to Korea almost penniless, starting her life anew. From a 20-year entertainment career in Japan to leaving empty-handed, this experience became one of the most unforgettable low points of her life.
