2AM’s Jo Kwon Had No Income for Two Years

On the April 11 episode of “Happy Together,” 2AM member Jo Kwon revealed he had no income until the 2010 release of the group’s hit song, “Even If I Die I Can’t Let You Go.”

Having debuted in 2008 and being a constant presence on many variety shows, this fact about Jo Kwon came as a surprise to many viewers. Jo Kwon explained, “I had to repay the fees from my trainee days.” He added, “Many people think I have a lot of money because I appear in many variety shows. But for three years after our debut, 2AM lived in a single room.”

Jo Kwon continued, “When I thought 2,000,000 KRW (around 1,770 USD) came into my back account after the promotion of “Even If I Die I Can’t Let You Go,” my mom and I cried holding hands. But when I came back to the dorm, I realized it was really 200,000 KRW (around 177 USD). Rather than the money, I was happy that I had finally paid back my debt. With the money I earned for the first time in my life, I paid my own cellphone bill which my parents had been paying for me. After that, the money kept on coming in and I was able to buy my parents a house.”