Broadcaster Seo Jang-hoon clarified his actual net worth during an October 9 variety broadcast, confirming he owns three properties while maintaining a frugal lifestyle funded by saved athlete earnings and strict budgeting.
Seo Jang-hoon’s financial status became the focus of the SBS variety show Anything for You – Secretaries
—also known as My Genie Secretary
—where cast members pressed him during an honest conversation.
Lee Seo-jin described Seo as a billionaire and admitted he envied his wealth. When the two met, Lee inquired whether company dinners costing up to 10 million won would be acceptable; Seo casually agreed.
The Friday broadcast also touched upon the national treasure-level center’s basketball career and his prediction that the men’s national basketball team would capture gold at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Seo Rejects Two Trillion Won Rumor
Seo confronted a persistent online claim that his net worth is 2 trillion won, explaining how a joke when Kim Hee-chul quipped on Knowing Bros
that he held hundreds of billions of won became an urban legend.
When Kim Kwang-kyu asked if his assets reached into the hundreds of billions, Seo rejected the premise with frustration on the October 9 program.
Where would I get hundreds of billions of won?
Seo Jang-hoon, Broadcaster
Seo estimated that only five to six people out of 100 believe the exaggerated figure, noting that only about 35 individuals nationwide hold 2 trillion won. Lee Seo-jin added that approximately 5,000 people in the country possess at least 50 billion won.
Property Portfolio Includes Three Buildings
Seo acknowledged his actual holdings consist of three buildings: one in Seoul’s Seocho-dong district—acquired via auction for 2.8 billion won in 2000—and others in Dongjak District’s Heukseok-dong and Mapo District’s Seogyo-dong.
He has recently listed his Seocho-dong property on the market for 45 billion won.
Austere Habits Drive Wealth
Seo maintains strict personal spending habits despite his property portfolio.
When I simply saved the money I earned, it accumulated and grew a bit more. I think that’s the most important thing.
Seo Jang-hoon, Broadcaster
He outlined a minimal daily routine when questioned about expenditures.
Aside from monthly food delivery fees, I don’t spend on myself. Even if I want to buy clothes, I only buy them if they fit.
Seo Jang-hoon, Broadcaster
Lee Seo-jin noted similar tendencies regarding utility management, such as cutting electricity bills, prompting Kim Kwang-kyu to marvel at having two wealthy people to take care of us.
Production details note that Seo does not eat well during filming and that videos of babies or puppies help lift his mood when he feels out of sorts. He originally purchased his first building for 2.8 billion won in 2000.