VibeJune 10, 2026
Korea's 60-Year-Old Actress Still Lives With Her Mom
Summary
Actress Do Ji-won is 60 and still lives with her mom—Koreans are calling her the "original kangaroo族." In a time when everyone lives scattered and busy, her whole family staying together under one roof feels almost unheard of now. People still remember his iconic "뭬야" catchphrase from back in the day, and now they're rediscovering her as the OG never-left-home kid.
Why do we peek
Korea's been obsessed with independence lately — everyone wants their own place, even if it means a shoebox apartment. So when a successful 60-year-old actor casually says he's never left home, it flips the script. It's a gentle reminder of what's been lost in the rush to individualize, and people are nostalgic for it.
Main Story
Actress Do Ji-won is 60 years old and still living with her mom. Not because of money — her whole family just never split up. In a country where most people scatter after marriage, her situation feels like a relic from another era, and Koreans are equal parts charmed and baffled.
Backstory
In Korea, "kangaroo tribe" (캥거루족) means adults who never leave the parental home — usually seen as a negative thing tied to unemployment or dependence. But Do Ji-won's case is different: his whole extended family chose to stay together. It's not about failure to launch; it's a deliberate lifestyle that's become increasingly rare.
FAQ
Who is Do Ji-won?
He's a 60-year-old Korean actor who became famous in the '90s for his catchphrase "뭬야" (mweoya, like "what the heck?"). He's still active in variety shows and dramas, and people know him for that signature surprised reaction.
Is living with parents common in Korea?
Not anymore. Most Koreans move out after marriage, and even unmarried adults want their own space now. Living with parents past your 30s is usually seen as a sign you couldn't afford to leave, which is why Do Ji-won's case feels so unusual.
What does kangaroo tribe mean?
It's a Korean term for adults who live in their parents' "pouch" like baby kangaroos — basically people who never moved out. It usually has a negative tone, implying they're unemployed or financially dependent. But it can also just mean extended family living together by choice.
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