Actor Acknowledges Divorce From Wife 16 Years Younger Over Absurd Reason
Park Jae Hyun is facing controversy after revealing the real reason behind his divorce from ex-wife Han Hye Ju, who is 16 years younger than him.
The actor appeared on TV Chosun’s Private Lives of X with Han Hye Ju to talk about their divorce, which happened three years ago.
They got married after six months of dating because Han Hye Ju was pregnant. At that time, Park was making about ₩1.5 million KRW (around $1,010 USD) per month from TV appearances. The couple struggled financially while raising their daughter, who has had multiple heart surgeries.
The controversy began when Park said their problems started after his parents stayed with them for a week before their daughter’s surgery.
He said Han Hye Ju never prepared breakfast for his parents during that time. Park brought it up, which led to ongoing arguments.
He then admitted that his ex-wife asked him whether their daughter’s surgery or his parents mattered more. Park said he chose his parents, which led him to leave and file for divorce.
Park Jae Hyun | TV Chosun
Han Hye Ju | TV Chosun
The story quickly sparked backlash online with many calling the reason trivial.
Comments flooded in:
“Just a typical Korean man.”
“The fact that he went on TV with a story like this… makes you wonder if he’s that desperate for money.”
“I’m so sick and tired of this whole ‘women make breakfast’ nonsense.”
“He just went on the show to make money.”
“I’ve seen this around me too. Friends who married older men struggle the most with in-laws… It’s not just the husband who’s older; the parents are, too, and many of them have really outdated mindsets.”
“And he thinks this is something to brag about? LMAO.”
“Feels like he just came out to make money LOL… this is exactly why people choose not to marry.”
“Then why don’t you make the meal yourself?”
Some viewers think the whole thing was exaggerated for TV drama.
Comments said:
“This obsession with the damn breakfast, seriously LOL… How does he even sleep at night if he wants it that badly? This is insane LOL.”
“Then he should’ve just prepared it himself.”
“Why can’t they just make their own friggin’ breakfast…?”
“But didn’t they say the husband made it and the wife didn’t eat? And those two are always appearing on TV together, LOL. Something’s off.”
“Their daughter is sick, and he’s talking about breakfast…”
“If your parents are that important, you shouldn’t have gotten married—just live with them forever. And if they’re that precious to you, why weren’t you taking care of their meals?”
“Wishing him a lonely death.”
“Seriously, they need to stop making shows like this.”
“Their daughter was about to go into surgery—of course, the mom would’ve been overwhelmed, focused entirely on her child, barely holding it together. And you expect her to play the role of the perfect daughter-in-law on top of that? Wow LOL.”
Han Hye Ju responded calmly during the broadcast:
“People don’t easily change,”
and firmly stated she has no plans to get back together.
The episode has stirred up heated debates about family expectations and marriage struggles in modern Korea.