Meet Jin Ki-joo: The Netflix K-drama star who quit a stable Samsung software job to chase her acting dream. Now, her resignation letter is going viral
Before becoming a familiar face on Netflix, South Korean actress Jin Ki-joo had what many would consider a dream career. A computer engineering graduate, she worked at Samsung SDS, one of the country’s most prestigious technology companies. However, she eventually left the stable job to pursue acting, a decision that seemed risky at the time. Now, an old farewell email she wrote while resigning has resurfaced and captured widespread attention. According to South Korea’s Maeil Business Newspaper, the letter has struck a chord with many people contemplating major career changes and has become a talking point across online communities.
Jin Ki-joo’s journey from computer engineer to Netflix K-drama sensation
Jin Ki-joo graduated from Chung-Ang University with a degree in computer engineering before landing a position at Samsung SDS, the IT services affiliate of Samsung. In South Korea, where jobs at major conglomerates are highly sought after, leaving such a position is considered a bold move.But Jin felt she would regret not pursuing her dream. Rather than settling into a comfortable routine, she decided to start over. Her path after Samsung was far from straightforward. She later worked as a reporter and entered the modelling industry before eventually turning to acting.
The resignation letter that went viral
Years after she left Samsung, the farewell email she sent to colleagues has resurfaced online. In the message, Jin acknowledged that Samsung was “a good place” and admitted that she had spent a great deal of time worrying about her decision.She explained that she feared adapting to a comfortable life and later looking back with regret. One passage from the email has resonated deeply with readers.“They say adaptation leads to a frightening kind of resignation. So I drew my sword before it was too late.”The words have struck a chord with office workers and young professionals, with many praising her courage and sharing the message on social media.
Life after Samsung was filled with challenges
After leaving the company, Jin Ki-joo joined the media industry and worked as a reporter for G1 Broadcasting. She later took part in the 2014 Supermodel Contest, which opened the door to opportunities in entertainment.She made her acting debut in the 2015 drama Second 20s, but success did not come immediately. She has revealed that she faced numerous rejections and was even told she was too old to begin an acting career. Despite the setbacks, she continued attending auditions and gradually built her resume.Over the years, she appeared in several dramas, including Come and Hug Me, Misty, Little Forest and The Secret Life of My Secretary, steadily establishing herself in the industry.
Netflix success brought her story back into the spotlight
Jin Ki-joo’s latest K-drama, Teach You a Lesson, has become an international success. The series topped Netflix’s non-English television rankings and reportedly amassed 21.1 million views during the week of June 8 to June 14.The drama reached number one in 46 countries and entered the Top 10 in 91 countries worldwide, introducing the actress to a broader global audience. Its popularity also led many viewers to rediscover her unconventional journey from software engineer to actress.
What Jin Ki-joo says about changing careers
Speaking on the popular South Korean talk show You Quiz on the Block, Jin said that acting is “the most unstable profession” but also the work she loves most.She noted that changing careers requires giving up something one already possesses and honestly asking whether the new path is something one truly wants. According to her, pursuing a dream involves accepting uncertainty and taking responsibility for the outcome.
Her story resonates with so many people
Jin Ki-joo’s journey stands out because she did not become an actress overnight. She walked away from a secure corporate career, spent years navigating uncertainty and faced repeated disappointments before achieving success.Today, as her old resignation letter continues to circulate online, many people see her story as a reminder that it is never too late to change direction. For countless workers feeling trapped between stability and ambition, her message about “drawing the sword before it was too late” has become an inspiring call to pursue what truly matters.
