Why one selfie of retired star Shim Eun-ha at 54 is suddenly trending online

Shim Eun-ha / Captured from "Christmas in August," left, and online community

A single selfie of retired Korean actor Shim Eun-ha — once dubbed the country’s “icon of innocence” — has reignited online fascination, proving that even after more than two decades away from the spotlight, the former star can still dominate social media conversations.

Photos of the 54-year-old actor recently spread rapidly across Korean online communities and social media platforms on March 4, drawing renewed attention to the long-retired celebrity.

The images were shared under the title “Legendary beauty Shim Eun-ha’s latest update at 54.” In the photo, Shim sits next to her husband, former lawmaker Ji Sang-wook, inside an airplane cabin while taking a selfie together.

Shim appears with light makeup, a relaxed expression and casual clothing, giving fans a rare glimpse of her everyday life.

Because Shim has rarely appeared in public since leaving the entertainment industry, the photo quickly became a hot topic online.

Reactions across Korean social media were sharply divided.

Many users welcomed the rare update. Comments included, “She’s still beautiful,” “She looks just as pretty,” and “Maybe she gained a little weight, but it’s probably just the angle. She would still look stunning in a proper photo.”

Others focused on the visible changes brought by time. Some users wrote, “She looks like an ordinary person now,” “This isn’t the Shim Eun-ha I remember,” and “She seems more relaxed and comfortable with age.”

One user who claimed to have seen the actress recently also posted a firsthand account.

“I saw her in person not long ago and she didn’t gain any weight at all,” the user said. “That photo just makes it look that way because it was taken from below while she tilted her head. She was still small, delicate and beautiful.”

Shim Eun-ha / Xportsnews

Despite being away from the industry for more than 20 years, Shim’s enduring public interest was evident as a single casual photo was enough to spark widespread discussion.

Shim debuted in 1993 as part of the 22nd class of talent recruited by broadcaster MBC. She quickly rose to stardom through hit dramas such as “The Last Match” (1994) and “Trap of Youth” (1999), as well as the acclaimed film “Christmas in August” (1998).

Her restrained and emotionally subtle performance in “Christmas in August” remains one of the most widely remembered moments in Korean cinema.

However, Shim abruptly announced her retirement from the entertainment industry in 2000 after the 2000 film “Interview.” She later married Ji Sang-wook in 2005, and the couple now has two daughters.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.