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| Jang Mi-inae Captured from Jang Mi-inae's Instagram |
Actress Jang Mi-inae abruptly announced her retirement, Tuesday, a day after criticizing the government's decision to give disaster relief money to people.
Jang, who starred in several TV dramas and films from the early 2000s, said on Instagram Monday that "I won't work as an actor in Korea from now on and will take my own path."
"Please stop. I made a mistake in my comments … but I realized that my remarks and intentions were distorted and attacked by people only because they were political. I am sick and tired of it," she wrote.
Her remarks came after she criticized the government's decision to provide "emergency disaster relief money" of one million won ($819) per household whose income is in lower that the 70 percent median income bracket. The administration announced a one-off stimulus program to tackle the negative impacts on the country's economy following the spread of COVID-19.
Jang added she made the remarks as she didn't understand that the one-off payment, which will be paid for in the end from taxes, could change the life of people facing difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic.
She said she was suspicious of the motive of the government in giving out the emergency relief fund to people weeks before April 15 general election.
"I thought people would probably pay more taxes; and things would be tougher after the election," Jang wrote.
Earlier on Monday, right after the government's announcement, she wrote on Instagram, "I am very annoyed. The country has no money ... Is the government really saving its people?"
Her post drew a mixed reaction from internet users.
Some criticized the actress for her "inappropriate comment," while some showed support for her for her frank comments and courage to speak up. A netizen criticized her for not wearing a mask in a photo she uploaded; she replied, "That's an old photo of mine," while swearing at the person.
Jang said she couldn't afford to buy masks.
Regarding criticism for this, she said "I am a celebrity but a human being as well who swears. And you swear too."
Born in 1984, Jang has started her career in the TV series "Non Stop" in 2003. She starred in multiple TV shows and dramas until she was found guilty of using illegal drugs. She received a suspended two-year sentence in 2013 for taking propofol.
Jang has been vocal on various political issues and recently became famous for revealing the dark side of the entertainment industry. She uploaded messages sent to her in recent years, showing brokers asking her to take money from rich patrons for sex.
