On a recent episode of MBC’s variety show ‘Save Me! Holmes’, model and TV personality Joo Woo-jae revealed an unexpected academic achievement — he scored over 400 points on Korea’s College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), also known as the Suneung. That’s a standout score, considering the test’s total possible points usually hover around 500.
Joo also openly discussed taking a ‘jaesoo’ year — a gap year many Korean students take to improve their university entrance exam scores. Despite his image as a laid-back entertainer, fans were impressed by his strong academic background.
Why it matters
In Korea, doing well on the CSAT is a major milestone. Joo Woo-jae’s candid story not only surprised viewers, but also challenged stereotypes about celebrities prioritizing appearance over academics. His reveal added a fresh charm to his presence on the show and offered encouragement to students currently preparing for the grueling exam.
Source (KR): https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/broadcast/2025/11/13/HEYTCOBXMVRTAMTEMEZWGY3DMU/