In an eye-opening video that recently resurfaced on an online community board, Taeheon, the main rapper of the second-generation idol group ZE:A , candidly shared the stark reality of his life after stepping away from the glamorous world of K-pop.

The video, posted several months ago, has captured the attention of fans and netizens alike, shedding light on the struggles and resilience of idols who might not have achieved the same level of fame as their group's prominent members.

Life After the Military 

Taeheon, who had seemingly disappeared from the public eye following ZE:A's activities, opened up about his life journey after being discharged from the military. It was a far cry from the glamorous idol lifestyle.

He revealed that he had found himself in a precarious financial situation, resorting to working part-time as a manager at a bar.

The stark transformation was evident as he disclosed that he had gained a significant amount of weight during this challenging period, emphasizing the harsh reality he faced.

Host: What kind of hardships did you go through?

Taeheon: I'm currently living in a one-room in Incheon. Both my parents passed away early. My dad passed when I was eight and my mom passed when I was about to go into high school.

I've lived in  semi-basement rooms, and two years ago I worked in construction and my heating got cut off because times were hard. Currently, I work at the Coupang distribution center.

When questioned about the hardships he had endured, Taeheon shared that he currently resides in a one-room apartment in Incheon, South Korea. Tragically, both of his parents had passed away at a young age, leaving him with limited familial support.

Taeheon's living conditions had often been far from ideal, with periods spent in semi-basement rooms, and at one point, he even had to work in construction.

"That's right. After being discharged from the military, I was struggling financially. I started working part-time as a manager at a bar and ended up gaining a 100 kg."

His life took a more dire turn when his heating was cut off due to financial hardships. To make ends meet, he found employment at the Coupang distribution center, a far cry from the spotlight of a K-pop stage.

The video captured a moment where Taeheon recalled seeing an online comment speculating about his part-time job at a distribution center.

The comment expressed disbelief, suggesting that he was "crazy" for working in such a role. Taeheon's response to this comment was a testament to his determination and resilience. 

Netizens' comments:

• "The gap in ZE:A was pretty big."
• "Glad he quickly saw the reality and is working hard to live his life."
• "It's great to see that the members still get along with one another."
• "It's nice to see him working hard."
• "Fighting!"
• "Wishing you a healthy life. Everything will be fine."
• "You are enduring well and working hard for your life."
• "You are working hard, fighting!"

In a poignant reflection on his journey, Taeheon revealed that the earnings of ZE:A members varied significantly, given their individual pursuits. Despite these differences, he expressed deep respect for his fellow members' determination and effort.

READ ALSO: ZE:A's Tae Heon Says Goodbye To Civilian Life With Military Enlistment This Weekend 

Taeheon commended the humility and ongoing contact from members like Siwan, Dongjun, and Kwanghee, who continued to remain grounded and supportive despite their elevated status.

The comments conveyed hope for his well-being, acknowledging his enduring efforts to carve out a life beyond the idol spotlight and wishing him strength and success in his journey.

READ ALSO: ZE:A's Hyungsik and Taehun Dressed As Wonderful Ladies For Their Concert 

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KpopStarz own this article.
Cassidy Jones wrote this.