In mid-April, Korean media reported Park Shin Hye is expecting her second child, due this autumn. The news surprised fans, as less than one month prior, she was busy filming Undercover Miss Hong (Investigator Hong). Through digital platforms, fans congratulated Park Shin Hye and Choi Tae Joon's family, hoping to see her in new dramas and films in two to three years, once the baby is old enough.

According to Dispatch, Tae Joon pursued Shin Hye for a long time. They dated since 2017 but kept their relationship private, fearing it would affect their careers and personal lives. Both were also concerned about their private matters bothering fans. Newsis reported that Choi Tae Joon is well-liked by Shin Hye's friends for his politeness and sincerity. Colleagues often describe Tae Joon as respectful, sociable, and discreet. He rarely shares his private life on social media platforms.

News 1 suggested that the relationship did not face opposition from Shin Hye's fanbase, partly because Tae Joon maintains a positive image and a scandal-free lifestyle, despite his fame not matching his wife's. In 1/2022, the couple held a wedding, inviting only family and close friends. Later that year, Shin Hye and Tae Joon welcomed their first son.

Park Shin Hye and her husband at their wedding. Photo: Salt E

From her image as the "nation's little sister" on screen, Park Shin Hye has transitioned into a new phase: becoming a wife and mother. She has stepped back from work to focus on her family. Unlike many colleagues who widely share their happy moments, she maintains a private lifestyle.

In interviews last year, she described herself as more mature, with a changed mindset. Park Shin Hye stated that she used to be sensitive to negative comments but has gradually learned to let go to maintain a stable mind. She and her husband adhere to the principle of not bringing work home, clearly separating their careers from their personal lives. At the SBS Drama Awards 2024, Park Shin Hye expressed her appreciation for her husband, who always encourages her and praises her performance.

Korean industry experts consider Park Shin Hye a highly capable actress. She possesses deep acting skills, a strong ability to choose good scripts, and the talent to elevate her co-stars' emotions.

Earlier this year, Park Shin Hye received widespread praise for her stellar performance in the hit drama Undercover Miss Hong. She played Hong Geum Bo, a 35-year-old financial inspector nicknamed the "Yeouido witch" for her exceptional abilities and cold demeanor. To investigate slush funds and uncover the secret accounting books of Hanmin Securities, she disguised herself as Hong Jang Mi, a 20-year-old employee in the company's crisis management department.

JTBC commented: "Park Shin Hye shows charisma in action, comedic, and emotionally revealing scenes, unveiling a completely new image." Director Park Soon Ho called Shin Hye an "amazing actress" whose flexible acting retains her unique style. Thanks to Shin Hye's appeal, Undercover Miss Hong topped the drama brand reputation rankings for two consecutive months. The rankings, conducted by the Korea Business Research Institute from 17/2 to 17/3, are based on media coverage, interaction levels, public awareness, and viewer indices of 20 popular dramas.

Last year, she also found success with two projects, Doctor Slump and Judge from Hell, attracting a large viewership and discussion. Park Shin Hye first entered the entertainment industry by appearing in the music video for "Flower" by legendary singer Lee Seung Hwan. At 13, she played the childhood Han Jung Suh in Stairway to Heaven (Choi Ji Woo played the adult role), earning acclaim for her superb crying scenes and emotional depth. The actress gained fame across Asia through Nonstop 4, Tree of Heaven, You're Beautiful, The Heirs, Miracle in Cell No. 7, Flower Boy Next Door, and Pinocchio.

On tvN's You Quiz on the Block in 1/2026, Park Shin Hye expressed gratitude to her parents for their sacrifices and unwavering support over the past 36 years. For their daughter to pursue her artistic dreams, her family had to leave their hometown of Gwangju and move to Seoul, where things were initially difficult. The family rented a semi-basement apartment (banjiha) – located below apartment buildings, lower than street level, lacking light and damp, primarily for low-income households.

During that period, Park Shin Hye's father drove a taxi, while her mother worked various jobs, including selling insurance, assisting in kitchens, and cleaning restrooms. Shin Hye's mother once said she was not ashamed of those jobs; when her daughter debuted, her mother continued her old work, finding joy in labor. Over the years, Shin Hye has consistently shown care and filial piety towards her parents.

Additionally, she participates in many charity projects, contributing 100 million won to support single-parent families in 3/2026. The actress participated in a project to renovate a local children's center in 2020 and supported heating costs for needy households in Korea in winter 2025. Previously, she collaborated on building the Shinhye Center Multifunctional Education Centers in Ghana (2012) and Manila, Philippines (2016), empowering children to study and play.

Thien Lam