Park Jung-soo reveals impulsive 100 million won Piaget watch purchase

Actress Park Jung-soo revealed an anecdote about falling in love with a jewel-encrusted watch she spotted at a Cho Yong Pil concert, leading her to impulsively purchase the high-end Piaget timepiece for over 100 million won. The story, which illustrates how she spent the wealth accumulated throughout her long acting career, has drawn attention for its honest portrayal of a sudden moment of desire rather than just its extravagant price tag.

On the 9th, Park showcased her watch collection on her YouTube channel, introducing the stories behind each piece. Among them, the most eye-catching was a Piaget watch heavily adorned with diamonds.

According to Park, she purchased the watch around 1996–1997. Recalling that era, she said, “I had a lot of work, so I saved a lot of money,” adding, “I was so busy that I didn't even have time to spend money.” Despite her significant income, she lacked the leisure to spend it until she suddenly discovered an item that captured her heart—a high-priced luxury watch.

The motivation for the purchase was particularly unique. While attending the Cho Yong Pil concert, Park noticed a sparkling jewel watch on the wrist of an audience member sitting in the front row. As the watch caught her eye every time she moved her hands during the performance, she confessed, “I couldn't even hear the songs; I just thought, ‘Wow, that is so pretty.’”

Ultimately, her fascination led to an actual purchase after the concert ended. Park revealed that she bought the Piaget watch for an amount exceeding 100 million won. She explained that it was not for investment or collection value, but a choice made to relieve stress using the money she had earned herself.

In her own words, the purchase was a form of "reward consumption"—a luxury she allowed herself amidst a grueling schedule of continuous work. Unlike the current era, where high-end watches are frequently featured in pop culture and on SNS, a watch costing hundreds of millions of won was far removed from general consumer goods in the late 1990s. As such, Park's purchase serves as a snapshot of a period when she achieved significant economic success as an actress.

However, Park has another watch she cherishes even more. Regarding a Cartier watch she revealed, a watch appraiser on-site evaluated it as a highly expensive piece, noting the design where diamonds extend from the watch face onto the chain. The appraiser added that the exact market value could only be determined through a formal appraisal.

Park's watch collection is more than a mere record of luxury consumption; it is a private chronicle where her acting career and personal values intersect. Having debuted as an MBC talent in 1972, she is a veteran actress who has worked across dramas, films, and variety shows for decades, building a unique career by portraying everything from sophisticated, strong women to warm mothers.

The story of the 100 million won watch is intriguing not because of the luxury itself, but because of how and why she chose to spend her earnings. At a venue she visited to listen to Cho Yong Pil, her heart was stolen by a single watch sparkling on a stranger's wrist, and she turned that momentary impulse into a reality.

Ultimately, for Park, that watch holds a meaning beyond being a Piaget product. It is a memory of a time when she worked tirelessly and made a bold choice for herself—a private record of her life as an actress that remains decades later. The story of how a chance glance at a concert led to such a significant expenditure reflects her honest personality and attitude toward life.