Chef Yoon Nam-no reveals 800,000 won monthly salary and 600 million won debt

Chef Yoon Nam-no revealed on the YouTube channel Studio Slam on the 19th that he earned only 800,000 won last month. Despite facing a 600 million won debt after opening a restaurant in Apgujeong, Seoul, Yoon spent 5 million won on credit card charges to provide meals for his employees.

Chef Yoon Nam-no has caused a stir by revealing that he took home only 800,000 won in wages last month after opening a restaurant in Apgujeong, Seoul. Despite managing a debt burden of approximately 600 million won, he spent 5 million won on credit card charges just to provide meals for his employees. Seeing his junior chef prioritize sharing delicious food over his own shrinking income, senior chef Park Hyo-nam eventually stepped in to provide a lecture on financial management.

In a video released on the YouTube channel Studio Slam on the 19th, Yoon Nam-no and Park Hyo-nam engaged in a candid conversation covering not only cooking but also money management and realistic financial issues. As news of Yoon's recent restaurant opening became a hot topic, the conversation naturally shifted to restaurant operations and income. Contrary to his brilliant culinary skills, the reality he faces as an entrepreneur is not easy.

Explaining his economic situation, Yoon Nam-no confessed, "I have no salary. Last month, I earned 800,000 won." Despite being the representative running the restaurant, he was in a situation where he could not take a consistent monthly salary. Upon hearing this, Park Hyo-nam immediately emphasized, "You must decide your own salary. Aside from the employees' wages, the boss must have a salary too." It was advice that those running a business must clearly distinguish between their living expenses and business funds.

Yoon Nam-no also revealed why his income was limited to 800,000 won last month. "Thinking about it, the reason I only got 800,000 won is that my credit card bill for eating came out to 5 million won," he explained. "I bought food for the kids. It wasn't just for me." This means he spent a significant amount on meals with his employees or buying food for them. While his desire to take care of his staff is warm, when the funds needed to run a restaurant and personal expenditures are mixed, it becomes difficult for the business owner to retain any portion for themselves.

Park Hyo-nam could not hide his surprise at the explanation that 5 million won was spent on staff meals, asking, "You bought it for the kids?" He appeared frustrated seeing his junior fail to secure his own income while taking care of those around him. Rather than giving vague advice to simply cut spending, he presented specific methods for financial management.

Park Hyo-nam advised, "Decide on a salary there. Whether it is 1 million won or 2 million won, set a salary and start a savings account." He added that if he continues to save steadily, he will one day realize that his words were correct. The intent was that since revenue does not automatically guarantee a business owner's income, one must develop the habit of setting a fixed salary and practicing savings first.

However, despite his senior's serious advice, Yoon Nam-no responded, "I am happy as long as I eat delicious things." It was an honest reaction, showing that he finds more happiness in enjoying delicious food than in accumulating money. Ultimately, Park Hyo-nam said, "Sit down here," and held Yoon Nam-no to begin a full-scale financial lecture. The contrasting attitudes between the senior, who insists on saving money, and the junior, who prioritizes immediate enjoyment, drew laughter, but behind it lies the realistic struggles faced by self-employed individuals.

Yoon Nam-no's difficulties were previously revealed on MBC's 'Omniscient Interfering View.' He stated that he took out a loan of approximately 600 million won while recently opening a restaurant in Apgujeong, Seoul, lamenting at the time, "I have no salary. Because the loan interest goes out." As he has newly started the restaurant, the burden of loan repayment and operating costs is significant. However, it is difficult to confirm the specific financial structure, such as whether the entire loan is pure personal debt or funds related to business operations, based only on the disclosed information.

While Yoon Nam-no's actions of treating employees to meals and sharing delicious food can be read as human charm, maintaining a business requires cold numerical management as much as kindness. This is because if revenue, expenses, loan repayments, and the owner's salary are not distinguished, a situation where one works hard only to have nothing left in hand can recur. Yoon Nam-no's reality, revealed through his confession of an 800,000 won salary, showed that opening a restaurant and operating one stably are entirely different matters.

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