The real “sympathy fairy.”
In an unexpected twist during a recent interview, actress Jo Bo Ah shared a gripping story of a childhood robbery that left a lasting impression on her outlook. Best known for her bubbly persona, Jo’s revelation took many by surprise.

This intriguing revelation came during a promotional interview for her upcoming Netflix series Dear Hongrang, where Jo appeared alongside co-star Lee Jae Wook. While sharing anecdotes about their experiences, host Jonathan brought up Jo’s nickname, the “sympathy fairy,” and prompted her to recount the incident.
“You were robbed, but sympathized with the robber?” Jonathan asked, visibly intrigued.
Jo Bo Ah went on to explain that the incident happened when she was about 7 or 8 years old. “They took all my mom’s valuables,” she recalled, without the typical anger one might expect.
Instead of fear or rage, she felt an overwhelming sense of compassion. “They must be having a hard time if they’re robbing people’s homes,” Jo reflected, contemplating the plight of the burglar.
“It’s so horrifying to think about now, but at that time, that’s what I thought.” Her unusual reaction sure left a mark on the audience.
The conversation took a lighter turn as the hosts playfully asked if she hoped the robber had turned their life around since then. Jo, with her signature kindness, answered, “I hope they realized their mistake and mended their ways.”
This heartfelt exchange emphasizes Jo Bo Ah’s nurturing spirit, further endearing her to fans.
In addition to her engaging storytelling, Jo recently opened up about her decision to maintain a distance from her male co-stars, shedding light on her personal boundary-setting in the industry. For more on that, check out the full story here.