Broadcaster Ham So-won and her "ex-husband" Jin Hua's divorce saga has been repeatedly consumed for three years now.
In a preview video released at the end of the MBN "Sokpulishow Dongchimi" (hereafter "Dongchimi") broadcast on the 24th, Jin Hua appeared noticeably different. Jin Hua took on household chores himself and showed an attitude different from before, and Ham So-won also responded kindly without getting angry at each of his actions. Especially as a scene was added in which Ham So-won initiated physical contact, the atmosphere between the two seemed to be closer to reconciliation.
But the calm atmosphere did not last long. Jin Hua received a phone call from his mother and the situation changed rapidly. Jin Hua's mother raised the tension by strongly demanding that he return to China, saying, "Are you still over there? I'm coming to get you."
In response, Ham So-won expressed her frustration, saying, "Even if we reconcile, will it be up to us? Our parents on both sides haven't given their permission," and Jin Hua showed a bitter expression, saying, "We're trying to reconcile, so why is it so complicated," making the reality of the obstacles apparent.
The two who had been plagued by repeated divorce rumors acknowledged an "actual divorce" in December 2022. However, even after that, their relationship continued to be exposed through variety shows without being clearly resolved.
Even after announcing the divorce, Ham So-won made "divorce and reconciliation" her main issue. After formalizing the divorce, she revealed scenes of living with her ex-husband and fueled public confusion by saying, "I divorced for the child, but I might get back together for the child." In Korean society, which is accustomed to traditional family values, this behavior was hard to accept.
She appeared as the first guest on MBN Let's Go Go season 3 to explain the divorce process, but the explanation lacked persuasiveness. Afterwards, cohabitation with her ex-husband and even scenes of shopping with her former mother-in-law were revealed, raising suspicions of a "sham divorce."
Despite such doubts, the two's relationship is still ongoing. On the "Dongchimi" broadcast on the 12th, Ham So-won was portrayed as a mother who emphasizes strict discipline and education for her daughter, and Jin Hua was portrayed as a father who gives everything for the daughter he sees only once every two weeks. Differences in parenting styles soon led to conflict, which replayed fights that had been repeated many times on past variety shows. Even at their first meal alone together since the divorce, the two disagreed on spending and menu choices, to the point that even the panelists watching shook their heads.
On marriage and divorce, Jin Hua confessed, "I thought we should respect the choice of the person you love. If So-won really wants a divorce, I felt that divorce might be better than fighting every day," and added, "After the divorce my heart was very wounded, and while I was drifting, a friend suggested I go to Bangkok."
In response, Ham So-won said, "I couldn't just leave you when you were struggling. Didn't you run to me and grab me too?" and replied, "At that time I felt that you needed me." She continued, "I'm sorry for rushing the divorce without understanding your feelings. From now on, even if there are frustrating parts, I'll try to endure a bit more," and said, "Thank you for always being by our daughter's side."
But experts were cold-eyed. Specialist Lee Kwang-min said, "I oppose this couple's reconciliation," and pointed out, "If they reconcile, Jin Hua is likely to return to his former state. It wasn't a healthy relationship from the start." He added, "Ham So-won's partial control and Jin Hua's dependence can be seen as a pathological relationship," and analyzed, "Jin Hua likely depended more on Ham So-won because he feared being 'abandoned.'"
In the end, Ham So-won and Jin Hua's divorce, conflicts and ambiguous relationship status remain ongoing. Amid repeated exposure without true resolution, criticism is growing that their story is no longer "reality" but a narrative consumed for entertainment.
[Photo] OSEN DB, broadcast capture
[OSEN]