Hong Jin-kyung's daughter plans water sports business in Gapyeong

Entertainer Hong Jin-kyung brought laughter after revealing the unexpected future plans of her daughter, Rael, who is currently studying in the United States. The life her daughter wishes to lead after her studies abroad was quite different from expectations. Rael has envisioned a business operating a water sports facility, known as a 'ppaji,' in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do.

On the 17th, Hong shared updates on Rael's current status through a video released on the YouTube channel 'Study King Jin Genius.' The video followed the busy daily life of a restaurant owner in Hannam-dong, and while Hong and the production crew were discussing AI advertising and business, Rael's entrepreneurial vision became a hot topic.

When the production crew asked, "Doesn't Rael have a business of her own?" Hong let out a deep sigh. She then revealed that Rael wants to live by running a 'ppaji' in Gapyeong, stating that her daughter plans to directly operate a water sports business after her studies in the United States.

It was not merely a joke or a vague wish. Rael has reportedly already decided on a business name. Hong revealed, "She even came up with a business name," disclosing that it is "Rael Land."

Upon hearing the name 'Rael Land,' Hong was reminded of 'Doory Land,' the amusement park that actor Im Chae-mu has operated for a long time. She drew laughter by saying, "I suddenly thought of Mr. Im Chae-mu so much."

From a parent's perspective, one might expect a daughter sent to study abroad to discuss prestigious professions or global businesses, but a strange twist was created by the fact that Rael is focused on a water play facility in Gapyeong.

Gapyeong is an area where water sports and the tourism industry are well-developed, centered around the waterfront environment of the Bukhan River. Especially during the summer season, the so-called 'ppaji' culture—which includes water skiing, wakeboarding, and water park-type facilities—forms a pillar of local recreation and leisure. Rael's envisioned business leverages these regional characteristics.

Hong also shared her honest feelings about her daughter's unique personality. "I don't need Rael to be filial; I just wish she would live a bit more normally," she said, adding, "Her episodes are truly extraordinary."

Rather than criticizing her daughter's choice, her remarks reflected a mix of a mother's bewilderment and affection as she watches her daughter live in unpredictable ways.

Hong also revealed, "There was something that shocked me greatly because of Rael recently." She mentioned that she deleted all applications that indicate her location. However, she did not disclose specifically what happened, leaving no basis to overinterpret the incident based solely on that statement.

The topic of her daughter's dating life also emerged naturally. When Hong mentioned, "She said today is her boyfriend's birthday," the production crew joked, "Did she get another boyfriend?"

In response to comments like "She changes so much," "Is it really a real boyfriend?" and "Isn't she just having an imaginary relationship?", Hong continued the conversation with laughter.

The reason Rael's unique side repeatedly becomes a topic on broadcasts is partly due to Hong's tendency to candidly share her daughter's growth and daily life. After debuting in the entertainment industry as a model, Hong has expanded her career as an entertainer, entrepreneur, and content creator. In particular, leveraging her experience with her *kimchi* business, she has built her own domain by combining brands with content.

For Hong, business is not an unfamiliar concept. Rather, the fact that the nature of the business and the lifestyle are so unexpected became the primary talking point. The plan to return to South Korea after studying in the United States to operate a water sports facility in Gapyeong is far from a traditional formula for success, but from a business perspective, it serves as a startup idea combining regional tourism and experiential content.

The fact that she has already named it 'Rael Land' shows that Rael is imagining her future with a specific vision. Whether she will actually pursue the business or if it will remain an idea is not yet known. However, it is an interesting case where the educational environment provided by parents and the future the child envisions do not align.

Hong is choosing to view her daughter's choices with humor rather than imposing her own desires. Her comment, "I just wish she would live a bit more normally," paradoxically suggests she accepts her daughter's unique nature. The gap between a parent's vision of a stable future and a child's dream of an independent life often becomes a source of family laughter.

Hong married a businessman five years her senior in 2003 and had Rael in 2010. She has since built a unique persona through her work in broadcasting and business. Following the news of her divorce last year, she has continued her activities in broadcasting and on YouTube, while Rael continues her studies in the United States.

It remains to be seen if the 'Gapyeong ppaji' is a concrete entrepreneurial plan or a post-study career path. However, Hong's reaction to her daughter's plan—moving from an American education to a water sports business named 'Rael Land'—playfully demonstrates that a child's future does not always follow a parent's roadmap. This eccentricity has become yet another page in what Hong calls Rael's "extraordinary episodes."