Seo Yea-ji, Park Han-byul return through entertainment TV — can they win back public support?
Seo Yea-ji, above, and Park Han-byul are returning to the entertainment scene. Courtesy of Coupang Play, TV Chosun
Actors Seo Yea-ji and Park Han-byul are returning to the entertainment scene, not through dramas, but via entertainment shows.
Once embroiled in major controversies, the two are cautiously stepping back into the spotlight. Seo has chosen "SNL Korea" for her comeback, while Park is appearing on "Daddy and Me," a family-centered reality show.
Seo Yea-ji’s reputation took a serious hit in 2021 following a string of scandals, including a personal controversy involving actor Kim Jung-hyun, allegations of school bullying and falsifying academic credentials. These incidents severely damaged her image. The drama "Eve," released the following year, performed poorly, and her contract with her agency Gold Medalist came to an end.
Since last year, Seo has slowly worked to rebuild her image. She signed with Sublime in June and launched social media accounts to reconnect with fans. Given the success of "It’s Okay to Not Be Okay" both domestically and internationally, Seo continued to receive supportive comments from overseas fans. In 2024, the legal process targeting malicious commenters concluded with some being referred to prosecutors, helping her settle the controversy.
Seo recently made her first variety show appearance in eight years on TV Chosun’s "Huh Young Man's Food Travel." Compared to other entertainment shows, the show focuses more on food and conversation, allowing her to present a calmer and more candid side of herself. During her appearance, she shared lighthearted moments and opened up about her past.
“There were many times when I felt frustrated in my acting career,” she said in the episode. “At first, I tried to accept things, but staying silent seemed to cause even more misunderstanding. Over time, the stress became overwhelming.”
She is next set to appear in "SNL Korea," a show known for satire and parody. While her acting skills are not in doubt — she debuted in the sitcom "Potato Star 2013QR3" — the real focus will be how "SNL Korea" handles the controversies surrounding her.
The show has previously used humor to defuse public scandals, such as when Hwang Jung-eum referenced her divorce during an appearance. Notably, Seo’s “Mr. Stiff” remark during a leaked conversation with Kim Jung-hyun became a viral meme. Anticipation is growing around how "SNL Korea" might address this moment in comedic fashion.
In contrast, Park Han-byul’s return has been met with a colder response. Her six-year hiatus ended with the reality show "Daddy and Me" on TV Chosun, as previously reported. Park had stepped away from the public eye after her husband, former Yuri Holdings CEO Yoo In-suk, became embroiled in the Burning Sun scandal in 2019 — just two years after their marriage. She maintained a low profile, sharing snippets of her life only through YouTube.
In "Daddy and Me," Park appears alongside her father, revisiting past hardships and shedding tears. Reflecting on the scandal, she said, “At one point, I felt like only death could end it. I couldn’t do anything. People told me to leave, but I made my choice because I value my family.”
Still, criticism persists. As Park remains married to Yoo, many viewers are uncomfortable with her return. Yoo was convicted of arranging prostitution and embezzlement, receiving a suspended 18-month prison sentence in 2020. While no one suggests spouses must share punishment, some argue that public figures tied to such scandals should approach television appearances with caution.
Park’s tearful explanation of her decision not to divorce has drawn mixed reactions. Attention has also returned to her petition letter submitted during Yoo’s trial and the birth of their second child in 2022, fueling continued skepticism.
That said, "Daddy and Me" may still offer Park a strategic path back. By appearing with her family rather than alone, she softens her image and evokes sympathy. However, the core aim of variety shows is entertainment — laughter and lightness. Given that Park’s story still carries unresolved controversy and emotional weight, it may be too early for her narrative to be comfortably digested in an entertainment show appearance.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.