'Short-track national team member-turned athlete Kwak Yoon-gi's recent status was revealed, prompting reactions among many internet users about the "unexpected real-life 모습".
In the preview of My Way-Into-Obsessed Club broadcast on the 22nd, Kwak Yoon-gi checked his bankbook on his phone as soon as he woke up, and the balance shown on the screen was about 1,060,000 won.
The production team raised questions about his financial situation by showing the caption "Short-track national team member Kwak Yoon-gi, bankrupt?" Afterwards, he was seen collecting plastic bottles and empty bottles from the street to save living expenses, and at a meal he even won a thigh-wrestling match to pay for the food.
Earlier, Kwak Yoon-gi had revealed on his YouTube channel "Kwakjaba Yoon-gi" that he had set up a three-room rented one-room apartment through a jeonse contract and said he spent quite a lot of time on loan consultations during the moving process.
He ended his athletic career in May 2025 and is currently active as a YouTuber and operator of a daily life YouTube channel. Internet users reacted, "Seeing a national team member who had many medals look so realistic makes my heart ache for some reason.", "The image of 'no money but being independent' is rather humanizing and makes me want to root for him.", "Three-room one-room apartment with 1,000,000 won in the bank? It seems like poverty cosplay.", "I hope he finds a stable source of income soon. I support him as a fan."
Kwak Yoon-gi's attempts at a "new start," including running a YouTube channel and securing a one-room apartment, were viewed positively. However, the revealed scenes—such as his bank balance and collecting empty bottles—gave the impression of "lack of financial leeway," causing concern among some fans. This contrast highlights that behind a national team career's glamorous record, real-life difficulties can coexist after retirement.
Kwak Yoon-gi's situation illustrated the reality that "an athlete who was once at the top also undergoes many changes after retirement." At the same time, his attitude of facing reality himself and preparing for a new start also drew attention.
[Photo] broadcast screen capture
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