Actress and former After School member Uee has candidly shared the awkward realities of visiting public bathhouses as a celebrity, revealing that being recognized while everyone is undressed can be an uncomfortable experience.

She discussed the topic during an episode of tvN STORY’s variety show What Are You Saving It For?, where the cast exchanged relatable stories about life in the public eye.

Former golf champion Park Se-ri admitted that she loves visiting bathhouses but stopped going regularly because of uncomfortable encounters. She explained that while she appreciates people recognizing her, the situation becomes awkward when visitors ask for photos while everyone is bathing. “Everyone is naked in the bathhouse, and people come over to say hello. That’s fine,” Park Se-ri said. “But then they’ll say, ‘We should take a picture,’ and the way they look at you makes me uncomfortable. I stopped going for a while because of that.”

Uee immediately related to Park Se-ri’s story, saying she often notices people approaching her even before they speak. “When I’m sitting in the bathhouse, I can feel someone walking toward me before they say anything,” she recalled. “No matter where I’m looking, I can tell.”

She explained that visitors often turn toward her and ask if she knows who they are. "When they ask, 'Do you know who I am?' I politely say, 'Thank you.'" According to Uee, many people then respond: "They'll say, 'I knew you recognized me—you were just pretending not to.'" She added with a laugh that they often look her up and down, making the encounter feel even more awkward.

Comedian Lee Young-ja also joined the conversation, sharing that people often approach her so casually that they mistake her for a longtime friend. "They'll come right up to me and ask, 'Young-ja, how old are you?' "

She joked that the people asking are usually younger than she is. “When I tell them, ‘I’m actually two years older than you,’ they immediately start calling me ‘unnie.'” Lee Young-ja said she often playfully tells people: ” At places like this, just pretend you don’t know me. You stare so hard it feels like you’re trying to draw a picture of my body.” Her humorous remark drew laughter from everyone on the show.

The lighthearted conversation highlighted a unique challenge many public figures face: balancing friendly interactions with fans while trying to enjoy everyday activities in private spaces.

Although both Uee and Park Se-ri expressed gratitude toward those who recognize them, they admitted that certain situations especially in places like public bathhouses can become unexpectedly uncomfortable.

Sources: Daum | 스포츠조선