Actors Ku Hye-sun and Ahn Jae-hyun. It has already been 5 years since their divorce, yet the label of "divorce" still follows their names. Despite both individuals continuing to make new strides in their respective fields, the "divorce" keyword is still repeatedly invoked and becomes a subject of public consumption.
On the 8th, Ku Hye-sun noted her position directly on her social media. She posted, "I think it's not right for the media to keep plastering the 5 years of divorce in the news and stigmatizing it," pointing out the reporting behavior that is defined by the past. She particularly added, "Indirect mentions that can imply those involved in the same industry are cowardly," also leaving a sharp message directed at Ahn Jae-hyun. She indicated that expressions that can clearly reveal who someone is, without specific mention, can become another wound.
As a result, Ahn Jae-hyun's name quickly became a hot topic online once again. The situation where he, who had quietly been active without any response, suddenly became the focus of attention led to reactions such as, "It feels like being dragged into a fight while staying quiet." This is understandable as both have been advancing well along their own paths.
Ahn Jae-hyun had recently been continuing a quiet path while showcasing his talents in various web entertainment and broadcasts. He is currently appearing in the KBS 2TV entertainment show "Going and Coming Immigrant Jeong." However, it seems that his comment on the show saying, "Being alone is lonely" sparked conversation about his usual daily life. This scene was reexamined after Ku Hye-sun's post, leading to a misunderstanding as it appeared to evoke memories of his ex-wife.
In the meantime, Ahn Jae-hyun is opening a new path as a jewelry designer beyond being a model and actor. He recently opened a pop-up store for his jewelry brand in a shopping mall in Shibuya, Tokyo, making his first move into international markets. In an interview with The New York Times, he said, "The lifespan of a model is short, but I wanted to continue working in fashion," and revealed, "I decided to create my own brand." Starting a new chapter in his life, he is quietly building his career while continuing his acting endeavors.
Ku Hye-sun is also opening her 'second act' as a venture CEO and a master's student at KAIST. Ku Hye-sun is firmly walking her own path. After graduating as the top student from Sungkyunkwan University after 13 years, she was accepted into the master's program in science journalism at KAIST last year and is currently enrolled. Expressing that "studying is fun," she has even shared plans to pursue a doctoral program. Furthermore, she launched a hair roll product for which she holds a patent, and recently received a "pre-venture enterprise confirmation certificate," taking her first steps as a venture CEO. Ku Hye-sun, who confessed that her motivation was her warm desire to show it to her parents, is now touching the public as a representation of a "challenging life."
The two, who were married in 2016 and were once called the "representative lovebirds of the entertainment industry," had their conflict revealed starting with Ku Hye-sun's social media exposure in 2019, and after a public mudslinging war, they officially divorced in July 2020. The conflict between the two, which included the public disclosure of messages, mutual blame, and allegations of invasion of each other's private space, was a national concern.
The problem arises after that. Even 5 years after the divorce, the media and some of the public continue to confine the current state of Ku Hye-sun and Ahn Jae-hyun within the framework of the past. Headlines that focus solely on the "past" rather than on personal growth and activities are hurting both of them. Various opinions are also arising among netizens. Reactions range from fatigue-laden comments like, "Can we just leave them alone now?" and, "They are doing well on their own paths, so is there really a need to link them again?" to criticisms like, "The structure that the media creates sensationally and the public consumes is the problem itself."
Divorce is simply a pain from a certain period, not a lifelong identity. Both Ku Hye-sun and Ahn Jae-hyun are growing and changing in their own ways, crafting new lives. It's time for the public and the media to look at their "present" and cheer them on. I hope that past events do not continue to operate as a framework defining their names and that they are remembered as independent beings who can advance on their own paths rather than as obstacles to each other.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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