Commercial Real Estate Gamble Forces TikTok Pivot
Actor Lee Hae-in is facing a monthly loan interest payment of 13 million won after purchasing a building valued in the 4-billion-won range, turning to TikTok Live as a new revenue stream, hankyung.com reported.
Acquisition Stalled by Vacancy Rates and Rent Delinquencies
The financial strain stems from an acquisition earlier in the year. In February, Lee secured approximately 3.2 billion won in loans to buy a commercial building valued at around 4 billion won. However, the investment quickly encountered severe operational hurdles. High vacancy rates and chronic rent delinquencies crippled the expected rental income.
Lee attempted to mitigate the losses through direct intervention. The actor visited the property repeatedly to find tenants and even explored part-time employment opportunities to generate auxiliary income. When those conventional efforts failed to bridge the monthly deficit, Lee looked toward digital platforms for a viable workaround.
The Launch of the Building Owner Interest-Paying Project
On October 31, 2026, the building owner announced the launch of a self-described “building owner interest-paying project” via social media. The initiative centers on hosting regular live streams on TikTok. By broadcasting directly to viewers and capitalizing on the platform’s virtual gifting economy, Lee aims to directly offset the relentless 13-million-won monthly financing costs.
High-Interest Economic Climate Tests Digital Monetization Limits
Referred to publicly as a “subsistence building owner,” Lee detailed the decision to followers by noting that standard measures had fallen short. “Monthly loan interest alone amounts to 13 million won,” Lee stated on social media, explaining that after running out of options while trying to fill empty units and searching for odd jobs, a new challenge had become necessary.
As the live streams get underway, the primary unknown remains whether digital viewership can consistently generate the substantial liquidity required to meet the recurring monthly obligations.
