**‘REPLY 1994’ ACTRESS MIN DOHEE REVEALS SHE IS LOOKING FOR CAFÉ PART-TIME DURING CAREER HIATUS**

Actress Min Dohee, best known for her role in the hit drama *Reply 1994*, has openly shared that she is currently searching for part-time work at cafés while navigating an extended break from acting. The revelation, made during a recent episode of the SBS variety show *My Little Old Boy*, has drawn significant attention and sparked mixed reactions from viewers.

In the July 26 broadcast, Min Dohee was shown calling multiple cafés in her neighborhood in search of a part-time position. She asked practical questions about experience requirements and explained that she might not be able to commit for more than six months due to potential future acting projects. After a series of rejections, she admitted on camera, “It’s not easy finding a job.” She also contacted the owner of a café where she had previously worked, explaining that she had recently finished a musical and was looking for temporary work while waiting for her next opportunity. The owner encouraged her, noting that she was quick to learn and would do well wherever she went.

The episode also featured a reunion with former *Reply 1994* co-stars Kim Sung-kyun and B1A4’s Baro, who visited her home. During their conversation, Baro recalled an earlier gathering in which actor Son Ho-jun became emotional upon learning that Min Dohee was working part-time. Min Dohee recounted the moment: after finishing a shift, she told Son Ho-jun what she had been doing. Though he had been drinking, he began to cry and asked, “Why do you have to work a part-time job?” The exchange moved her to tears as well.

Online reactions to the segment were sharply divided. Some viewers criticized the emotional framing, arguing that taking a part-time job is a practical and unremarkable response when acting work is scarce. Comments questioned why the situation was presented as especially tragic and suggested that celebrities should not expect sympathy for ordinary financial realities. Others defended both Min Dohee and Son Ho-jun, noting that prolonged career uncertainty can erode confidence and that a fellow actor’s private show of concern was understandable. Supporters expressed hope that she would soon find a breakout project and praised her willingness to work while waiting for opportunities.

Min Dohee’s mother also appeared in the episode and spoke about the emotional toll of the hiatus. She explained that as the break from acting lengthened, her daughter’s self-esteem had dropped significantly. Since beginning part-time work, however, Min Dohee had become noticeably brighter and more positive. The actress herself has framed the job search as a temporary measure rather than a permanent career change, emphasizing that she continues to prepare for future acting roles.

The discussion surrounding the broadcast has also touched on the broader economic realities of the entertainment industry. Data from South Korea’s National Tax Service illustrates the wide income gap among performers. Among actors who reported income, the top 1 percent earned an average of more than 2.2 billion KRW annually, while the majority of working actors earn far less. Similar disparities exist among singers and models. For many mid-tier or supporting actors, periods without consistent roles can create genuine financial pressure, making side work a practical necessity rather than a symbolic gesture.

Min Dohee rose to prominence with *Reply 1994*, a popular ensemble drama that remains a cultural touchstone. Like many of her co-stars, she has continued working in television, film, and musical theater in the years since. Career pauses are not uncommon in the industry, particularly for actors who do not maintain continuous leading roles. What distinguishes this moment is the public visibility of her job search and the candid discussion of its emotional impact.

Her appearance on *My Little Old Boy* has placed both the practical challenges and the psychological effects of a career hiatus in front of a wide audience. Some viewers see her café applications as evidence of resilience and realism. Others view the televised emotional reactions as unnecessary dramatization of a common situation. The divide itself reflects differing expectations about how entertainers should navigate periods of professional uncertainty and whether such struggles belong on variety television.

For now, Min Dohee continues to balance the search for temporary work with preparations for her next acting opportunity. The episode has reminded audiences that even recognizable names from successful dramas can face the same financial and emotional pressures as anyone else during lean periods. Whether the public discussion ultimately generates sympathy, criticism, or renewed interest in her career remains to be seen. What is clear is that the gap between high-profile success and the day-to-day reality of sustaining a living in the entertainment industry is wider than many viewers assume.