Gong Seung-Yeon Opens Up About Jeongyeon's Success and Her Own Struggles

Gong Seung-Yeon's Honest Confession

Gong Seung-Yeon has shared a heartfelt revelation regarding her feelings about her younger sister Jeongyeon's remarkable success as a member of TWICE. The actress, who is currently garnering acclaim for her role in Perfect Crown, discussed her emotional challenges and insecurities during a recent episode of the popular Korean variety show You Quiz on the Block. While reflecting on the tough times in her acting career, Gong Seung-Yeon expressed that, although she felt genuine happiness for Jeongyeon's accomplishments, there were instances when she felt inadequate as the elder sister witnessing her sibling's rise to global stardom.

Financial Struggles of Gong Seung-Yeon

Gong Seung-Yeon's Financial Troubles

During her appearance on the show, Gong Seung-Yeon openly discussed the challenges she faced while trying to make a name for herself in the entertainment world. Despite gaining recognition from the 2015 drama Heard It Through the Grapevine and participating in various variety shows, she revealed that acting roles became increasingly hard to come by. Gong Seung-Yeon shared that the financial difficulties that ensued took a significant emotional toll on her. She admitted that there was a time when she struggled so much financially that affording basic necessities like rent, insurance, and pension premiums became a challenge. Ultimately, the stress led her to move back in with her parents while she pursued acting opportunities. She expressed her desperation to prove herself, frequently urging her agency to arrange auditions and even writing letters to casting directors in hopes of landing roles.

Jealousy Amidst Success

Gong Seung-Yeon Grew Jealous Because...

Meanwhile, her younger sister Jeongyeon was swiftly rising to fame as one of the leading K-pop stars globally through TWICE. The stark difference in their career trajectories had a profound emotional impact on Gong Seung-Yeon. Reflecting on her mixed feelings, she admitted that her sister's success brought both comfort and pain. “I was happy that my sister was doing well,” she shared. However, as the eldest sibling, she felt a significant pressure to excel and support her family. “But I also harbored the oldest child’s mindset of ‘I have to do even better,’” she explained. Gong Seung-Yeon further noted that her mother had high hopes for her eldest daughter to succeed and guide her younger siblings. This expectation sometimes made her feel as though she was lagging behind while Jeongyeon soared to international fame. “There were times when I felt like, as an older sister, I was falling short compared to my younger sister,” she candidly admitted. Today, both sisters are thriving in their respective fields within the Korean entertainment industry, with Jeongyeon being a prominent idol in K-pop and Gong Seung-Yeon steadily advancing her acting career through various dramas and television appearances.