KPop Star Jeong Jung-sik’s Budget Wedding Journey and Housing Debate Goes Viral

South Korean singer Jeong Jung-sik, known for his hit track “I Am a Firefly,” is making headlines again—but this time, it’s not about music. Featured on the latest episode of the SBS reality program ‘You Are My Destiny’, Jeong and his fiancée Jang Jae-na opened up about their candid struggles with wedding budgeting and finding the perfect newlywed home.

The couple made their appearance in the episode aired on the 5th, sharing humorous and heartfelt moments while scouting for a home ahead of their upcoming wedding in October. Their first stop? Jang Jae-na’s older sister’s house, where they picked up discarded household items—a gesture symbolic of their modest lifestyle. The sister also happens to be a 20-year-long friend of Jeong, which added a layer of playful tension during their visit.

“If you just sit on the couch like this at home, you’re going to get in trouble,” warned Jang Jae-na’s sister, playfully calling out Jeong’s laid-back attitude. She also didn’t shy away from mocking his past relationships, which led MC Seo Jang-hoon to cheekily ask, “Were your romantic relationships complicated?” Jeong quipped back, “I spent too much time near the stream, so fish naturally gathered.”

One of the more emotional moments stemmed from revealing their two-year secret romance. Due to opposition from Jang’s family, the couple had to hide their relationship. Her sister shared, “Our father thought all kinds of things… At first, he thought Jae-na liked women, then suspected she was dating a married man. In the end, when she finally confessed she was seeing Jeong, he was actually relieved.”

When it came to house-hunting, the divide between old charm and modern design sparked intense discussion. Jang preferred a newly built 13-pyeong house in Gwangjin-gu—it was clean and modern. Jeong instantly opposed it, saying, “New again? It doesn’t feel right.” He was concerned about its steep price given such a small area.

In contrast, Jeong introduced a spacious older villa in the elite Daechi-dong area of Gangnam. The property even had a secret attic space, but its rent came at a cost: ₩500 million, overshooting their original budget. Jang remained realistic, pointing out the expense and age of the house, while Jeong sighed, “How do people even afford to get married?”

The couple also found time to sit down over coffee, confronting their financial limitations head-on. Jang asked Jeong, “Let’s be realistic with our wedding budget. Let me know how much we can use.” Jeong’s response? “I have ₩560,000 in my bank account.” He also admitted uncertainty over future royalty income, despite previously telling fans he earns the equivalent of a compact car’s full options in royalties monthly.

“Preparing for a wedding feels like a show to prove how well-off we are,” Jeong mused. “There’s too much pretense involved. I want to strip away all that excess in our ceremony.”

Whether their love story unfolds in a modern apartment or a vintage villa, audiences are staying tuned for more real-talk from Korea’s most refreshingly relatable couple.