After years away from the spotlight, Park Han-byul is now slowly preparing to resume her entertainment career, reflecting on the hardships her family endured during her lengthy hiatus.

Park Han-byul first gained public attention while attending Anyang Arts High School, becoming one of South Korea’s original “ulzzang” (best face) stars during the early days of internet culture. She made her acting debut in the horror film Whispering Corridors 3 and went on to establish herself as one of the most recognizable young actresses of the 2000s through a string of successful television dramas, films, and commercial endorsements.

In 2017, Park Han-byul announced both her marriage and pregnancy before welcoming her first son. However, her career took an unexpected turn after her husband became embroiled in a high-profile social controversy. Although she was not directly involved, the scandal significantly affected her public image. After completing the drama she was filming at the time, she largely stepped away from the entertainment industry.

Following her hiatus, Park Han-byul relocated to Jeju Island, where she focused on raising her two children and running a café instead of pursuing acting projects. During those years, she made very few public appearances, choosing to devote herself to family life while enduring intense public scrutiny despite not being a direct party to her husband’s controversy.

Park Han-byul recently revealed that, during the most difficult period, her mother-in-law urged her to consider divorce out of concern for her future. According to the actress, the advice came from a place of genuine care, as her mother-in-law hoped she would have the opportunity to start a new chapter in life despite everything that had happened.

Nevertheless, Park Han-byul decided to remain with her family, saying she chose to prioritize her two children and her home. During a recent variety show appearance, she cautiously reflected on the challenges her family experienced throughout her years away from the public eye.

Now ending her long silence, Park Han-byul is gradually returning to the entertainment industry. As she prepares for her comeback, public attention is increasingly shifting away from the controversy of the past and toward what she will bring as an actress in the next stage of her career.

Sources: Daum | 그 시절 우리의 영화