South Korean actress, DJ, and model Jinri Park spent almost 25 years in the Philippines after moving to the country at age six with her family, who worked in Cebu. She ventured into modeling and worked as a radio DJ, eventually acting on television and appearing on shows such as 'Vampire Ang Daddy Ko,' 'The Ryzza Mae Show,' 'Little Nanay,' 'Encantadia,' and 'My Korean Jagiya.'
In 2020, Jinri announced on Instagram that she has relocated to Australia and has been working as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teacher. She also used her degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and experience as Maitre'D in Makati bistro Your Local in her new career in Australia as a restaurant staff.
Jinri described her 20s as a decade of glamour because of her days in showbiz. She reached a turning point in her 30s when she moved to Australia and began a new career outside of the entertainment industry.
She also got engaged to her now-husband John, a Filipino based in Australia who she met while she was on vacation in Sydney. They announced their engagement in July 2019 and tied the knot amid the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Take a look at Jinri's life outside of showbiz in this gallery:
Jinri Park postponed her grand wedding on March 21 and, instead, opted to celebrate it intimately in a church in Sydney, Australia. According to the sexy model/actress, she and her now-husband, John, "still went to the church to legally sign the registry and got married." The ceremony was attended by the latter's family to witness their union.
Jinri admitted that she was very upset about the cancellation of their "official wedding" because she prepared for it for months. However, she still has high hopes that she could wear her wedding dress and walk down the aisle with her dad, once the pandemic is over.
As the world faces a health crisis, Jinri feels blessed for surviving the pandemic with her husband by her side. In an Instagram post, she said, "Having someone by your side at this time is such a blessing. Whether it be your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, family member, a friend or even your pet--cherish them. You have someone to lean on to and get through this together. We tend to forget the blessings of being in a relationship. Be thankful for whatever relationship you have now."
Right now, Jinri is living a happy married life down under. She described John as "an employee of a company where he works very hard to earn a living" and "an amazing husband."
On Instagram, Jinri defended herself from false accusations that she married John because of his money. She aired her exasperation to those who judge him based on his looks and stature. According to Jinri, she will block those who will utter mean comments about her husband.
Jinri reminds her fellow housewives to take their me-times, like working out.
Jinri enjoys quarantine cooking, too!
Jinri and John are the type of couple who enjoy simple things. They celebrated John's birthday with a simple home cooking and a night-filled playing Uno and mahjong.
Jinri revealed that she went back to zero when she moved to Australia. As she took on a different route, she shared that she found herself experiencing a career crisis. She said, "Honestly when I moved to Sydney I didn't know what I wanted to do. I felt like I was back to zero, [without] knowing what career path I'd want to take. I didn't feel like I fit in that glamorous life of being a model anymore, and wanted to move past it to something I would grow into."
Far from her glamorous life as a model and actress in the Philippines, Jinri now works as a waitress in Australia. In an Instagram post, she clarified that "I chose to work because I wanted to and not because I have to." She also slammed those who say that being a waitress is her karma and defended her career choice. "I'm pretty sure there's nothing wrong with having that job. I chose it because I remembered it to be enjoyable for me (I feel like I'm playing a real life diner dash!!) I think it's quite fun and exciting, I don't know why so many people have negative comments about it. Anyways, if you think that I'm currently miserable with ”karma” acting upon me, I'd just like to say I'm so happy now more than when I was in showbiz. I have a fun job, a great loving husband and a goal for my future! What more can a girl want."
Aside from being a waitress, Jinri reveals on Instagram that she has another job: teaching jiu-jitsu twice a week.
In Australia, Jinri has the freedom to do anything and that includes developing an addiction to claw machine games. Look at those cute plush toys!
Jinri's newfound independence lets her enjoy and nurture her marriage.
Jinri enjoys her days off taking walks in Sydney.
Jinri visited her parents in South Korea and shared this rare photo of her with her mother.
"I'm a mini version of my mother," she said on her social media.
Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, Jinri tries to keep her skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sharp by doing workouts
Jinri Park shares her personal life and her realizations from married life through her podcast Jinjja Jinri.
This Korean with a Filipina heart said she got a tattoo of the Philippine national flower sampaguita before leaving the country to move to Australia. Jinri said, "I'd be proud to call the Philippines and Korea, both, as my country."