Actress Kim Hye Young, a North Korean defector who was once widely recognized through nicknames such as “North Korea’s Hwang Shin Hye” and “North Korea defector IU,” has returned to television after an eight-year hiatus.
During her appearance on Channel A’s “Beauty Clinic Touch Me,” which aired on September 25, Kim opened up about the difficult circumstances that led her to step away from broadcasting and the personal experiences she went through during those years.
Kim became known to viewers after building a career in South Korean entertainment following her defection from North Korea.
Over time, she gained attention for her appearance and was given comparisons to well-known South Korean actress Hwang Shin Hye and singer IU.
However, despite her public profile, Kim eventually withdrew from broadcasting for an extended period.
Reflecting on her absence, Kim explained,
“I took an 8-year break. There were difficult times, and I felt I had to focus on my child.”
Her decision to step away came during a particularly challenging period in her personal life, which included three divorces and becoming a victim of fraud.
Kim had a son with her second husband, actor Kim Sung Tae, but the couple eventually divorced.
Her third husband was later arrested in 2018 over allegations involving stock price manipulation and violations of the Capital Markets Act.
The circumstances surrounding her relationships and the difficulties she experienced contributed to a prolonged period away from the entertainment industry.
Rather than continuing to focus on her career during those years, Kim chose to prioritize her child and navigate the difficulties in her personal life away from the public eye.
Her Son Encouraged Her To Return To Broadcasting
After spending years away from television, Kim eventually began considering a return to broadcasting.
The turning point came through a heartfelt conversation with her son.
Kim recalled that her child asked her,
“Mom, when are you happiest?”
When Kim answered that she was happiest while broadcasting, her son responded,
“Mom only smiles when you do what makes you happy.”
His words made Kim reflect on her life and recognize that she had not been smiling or enjoying herself in the way she once had.
Kim explained,
“I realized I hadn’t been smiling.”
The realization encouraged her to reconsider her decision to remain away from the entertainment industry.
Her return, however, came after years filled with emotional and personal difficulties. Kim revealed that the accumulated stress had affected different aspects of her life.
During a conversation with her close friend and comedian Kim Hyun Young, she spoke openly about the pressures she had experienced while raising her son and going through another major stage of her life.
Kim said,
“My son has hit puberty. On top of that, I’m going through menopause. I kept holding it in, but the stress built up. I gained 8 kg in 6 months.”
Her comments highlighted how she had spent years attempting to handle multiple challenges simultaneously.
While she had largely remained away from the public eye, her life during the hiatus continued to involve significant responsibilities and changes.
Kim Hyun Young, who was listening to her friend discuss her experiences, offered personal advice based on her own experience with divorce.
She encouraged Kim Hye Young to consider finding a new partner and asked,
“You should meet a good person. Is divorce a sin? I’m divorced too,” suggesting that Kim could eventually consider remarriage.
However, after experiencing three divorces herself, Kim Hye Young made it clear that relationships were no longer her priority.
She responded,
“If I were like you, after one time I’d look again, but now I’m not investing in men anymore. I’m going to invest in my face.”
Kim Hye Young Begins A New Chapter After Years Away
Kim’s return to broadcasting marks an important new chapter after spending eight years away from television.
Her decision was influenced not only by her son’s words but also by her realization that she wanted to reconnect with something that had once made her genuinely happy.
Her story has attracted attention because of the contrast between her earlier public image and the private difficulties she experienced during her years away from the spotlight.
While audiences knew her through her entertainment career and the nicknames associated with her appearance, many were unaware of the personal struggles that contributed to her prolonged absence.
Kim’s appearance on “Beauty Clinic Touch Me” gave her an opportunity to speak openly about that period of her life.
Rather than simply returning to television without addressing her absence, she shared the circumstances that made her step away and the moment that ultimately encouraged her to return.
Her son’s observation played a particularly meaningful role in that decision.
By pointing out that his mother only smiled when she was doing something she enjoyed, he helped Kim recognize how far she had moved away from the happiness she once found through broadcasting.
Now, after eight years, Kim is once again appearing in front of cameras and reconnecting with the entertainment industry.
Her return also comes with a different perspective shaped by her experiences as a mother and by the challenges she faced throughout her personal life.
The actress’s story demonstrates that an extended absence from the entertainment industry can involve circumstances that audiences may never see.
For Kim Hye Young, her eight-year break was not simply a career pause but a period in which she focused on her child while navigating major personal difficulties.
With her return to broadcasting, Kim appears ready to begin another chapter.
Her candid discussion about her hiatus has allowed viewers to understand the personal reasons behind her absence while also showing why she ultimately chose to return to something that once brought her happiness.
