Finnish actor Kai Vaine, facing a significant decrease in work opportunities for freelance actors due to budget cuts in the cultural sector, has decided to shift careers and is now working as a real estate agent. At 47, Vaine and his wife, fellow actress Sanni Haahdenmaa, are raising four children and have prioritized family time amid the ongoing economic challenges linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaine's decisions come as many freelance actors have seen their job prospects dwindle, prompting him to take a more stable job to support his family.

Vaine has been vocal in criticizing the government's decisions regarding budget cuts, expressing concerns that the measures could lead to theater closures and disproportionately affect families with children. As he embarks on his new career path with a Tampere real estate agency, he emphasizes the necessity of staying proactive even as opportunities in acting have become scarce. He attributes his career change to the pressing need for financial stability in light of ongoing challenges in the cultural sector.

His story reflects a broader trend in the Finnish arts community, where many professionals are grappling with the fallout from funding cuts that have intensified since the pandemic's onset in 2020. By transitioning away from acting, Vaine not only aims to secure his family's financial future but also highlights the urgent need for policy reconsiderations to support the struggling arts industry during these trying times.