On July 17, Kim Young Ah appeared on TV Asahi’s talk show After My Husband Falls Asleep, where she shared personal details about her married life for the first time since announcing her divorce.

She revealed that after giving birth, she experienced emotional instability that lasted for about three years. “Before becoming a mother, work was my priority. After my son was born, everything revolved around him. I changed so much that even the people around me became worried.”

Kim Young Ah explained that she became extremely anxious about her son’s well-being, to the point of drastically changing her daily routine. “I didn’t want my child to wake up crying, so I would get up around 2:30 a.m. every day to watch over him. I wanted to be fully prepared before he woke up at 3 a.m.”

She added that even after her son started attending daycare, her anxiety persisted. “I kept going back to the daycare to check on him because I was so worried.”

According to Kim Young Ah, teachers even spoke with her after noticing that her son cried more than the other children. She also recalled being told that a mother’s emotional state can affect her child, something that deeply concerned her at the time.

Kim Young Ah admitted that the emotional changes she experienced after childbirth also affected her relationship with her husband. Although the couple still made time for dates, she found it difficult to relax. “Even when we went out together, I kept wondering if it was really okay to leave our son at home.” Her constant concern for her child eventually became a source of strain in her personal life.

In December 2024, Kim Young Ah announced that she and Shiba Kotaro had divorced after separating earlier that autumn. At the time, she emphasized that the decision was amicable. “We truly cherish the time we spent together. We’ve decided to go our separate ways, but as parents, we’ll continue to stay in touch and raise our son with love.”

She also thanked fans for their continued support, saying she hoped to keep working hard as both an entertainer and a mother.

Born in South Korea, Kim Young Ah debuted as an actress in 2003 through the sitcom Nonstop 3 before appearing in several television dramas. She later shifted her career to Japan, where she found greater success as a fashion model. Kim Young Ah married Shiba Kotaro widely known as the founder of the AKB48 idol project—and the couple welcomed their son in 2016. Their glamorous lifestyle and international travels often attracted media attention, making news of their divorce a surprise to many fans.

Despite the end of her marriage, Kim Young Ah continues to focus on her career while raising her son.

Sources: K14