Jeong Bo-seok on closing his bakery: 'I had to make my son independent'

Actor Jeong Bo-seok has revealed the honest reason behind his decision to close the Seongbuk-dong bakery cafe he previously operated. His story is drawing attention as it reveals the move was not a simple business failure, but a difficult decision made to ensure his son's self-reliance.

Appearing on a video released on the 5th from Hwang Jung-eum's YouTube Channel, Jeong shared behind-the-scenes stories from the time he operated the bakery cafe alongside his second son.

In the past, Jeong garnered significant attention for renovating his Seongbuk-dong residence to run a bakery with his son. While many were interested in him taking on a new challenge beyond his profession as an actor, unexpected problems arose during the actual operation.

"I ran the bakery here because of my second son," Jeong explained regarding the situation at the time.

However, problems arose once his son began living separately. He confessed, "From opening to closing, my wife ended up doing everything. My son would come out around 10 a.m. and then leave for his workout by 5 p.m."

He expressed disappointment in his son's attitude, adding, "So I told him to come back after his workout and handle the closing, but he trusted his mother and didn't do it."

In particular, Jeong stated he could no longer stand to watch his wife struggling physically.

"My wife said her joints ached every day from the work of slicing bread," he said. "After warning her a few times, I finally closed the doors."

He then revealed the words he spoke to his son.

"I told him, 'From now on, carve out your own life.'"

It was a judgment that continuing unconditional support for a child could actually hinder their independence.

Jeong also shared an anecdote about a time when his son asked for help again. He said, "I was planning to wrap everything up and finish it if he wasn't going to do it, but my son looked into it himself and asked if we could perhaps rent him kitchen equipment like ovens because they are expensive."

In response, Jeong demanded responsibility instead of simple support.

"When I asked him, 'If I rent them to you, what will you do for me?' he said he would pay a certain amount from the shop's profits as rental fees."

It was the moment his son began to develop a sense of responsibility for running a business.

Jeong also shared, with a laugh, how his son's attitude has changed compared to the past.

"When we were running it together, he hated using my name for the shop and used his own name instead," he said. "But now that he is running a business alone, perhaps he misses his father's name, because he asked, 'Could you please model for me?'" which drew laughter.

During the broadcast, Jeong emphasized his educational philosophy that being a parent who "gives opportunities to grow independently" is more important than simply being a "parent who helps."

"I think it is wrong to suggest, 'Do you want to try running a bakery?' before the child even speaks," he stated. "They must contemplate and decide for themselves. Helping unconditionally is not always the answer."

While Jeong has been loved for a long time as an actor, the side he revealed this day was that of a father. Instead of doing everything for his child, he made the choice to step back so they could stand on their own. His decision leaves a message that parental love does not necessarily have to take the form of constant support.