Korean entertainment mainstay Park So-hyun,54,is opening up about a growing challenge: increasing forgetfulness. The veteran actress and broadcaster, known for her three-decade career in both drama and hosting roles-including 26 years on SBS’s “Unbelievable Stories” and ongoing work on “Park So-hyun’s Love Game”-recently shared startling personal anecdotes on the tvN STORY program “What to Do with What’s Left.” These instances, ranging from repeated dates to forgotten gifts, have prompted both amusement and concern among fans and colleagues.
MBC every1 ‘비디오스타’
Before becoming a household name in Korean entertainment, Park So-hyun dreamed of a life on the ballet stage. The veteran actress and broadcaster was a promising ballerina, having studied at Sunhwa Arts High School and Ewha Womans University’s dance department before earning accolades in both domestic and international competitions and ultimately joining the Universal Ballet Company.
However, her ballet career was tragically cut short by an injury – a torn ligament sustained during a performance. It was at this pivotal moment that Lee Ho-yeon, the influential producer behind groups like S.E.S., H.O.T., and KARA and head of DSP Entertainment, approached her with an unexpected offer: a career in entertainment.
Initially hesitant about entering the world of show business, Park So-hyun agreed to give it a try for just five years, swayed by Lee Ho-yeon’s persistence. In 1993, she began her career as a reporter for the SBS news and current affairs program “Seoul Morning,” quickly transitioning to acting when she was cast in KBS2’s drama “Tomorrow is Love,” alongside Lee Byung-hun. The role launched her into stardom.
Though she initially committed to just five years, Park So-hyun has remained a prominent figure in the industry for three decades, now a 54-year-old veteran entertainer.
왼쪽 박소현 발레리나 시절(인터넷 커뮤니티), 오른쪽 KBS2 드라마 ‘내일은 사랑’의 한 장면
While she appeared in dramas, Park So-hyun found her greatest success as a main host on variety and documentary programs like “Curiosity Heaven” and “Unbelievable Stories,” as well as a long-running radio DJ. She hosted SBS’s “Unbelievable Stories” for 26 years, until 2024, and continues to host “Park So-hyun’s Love Game” on SBS Power FM, a show she’s led for over two decades. This longevity speaks to her enduring appeal with Korean audiences.
Known for her cheerful personality and stable hosting skills, Park So-hyun has also become famous for her remarkably poor memory, a trait she frequently jokes about on television.
She describes her forgetfulness as “geonmangjeung,” a condition characterized by healthy overall function but occasional lapses in memory. This can manifest as difficulty recalling names or needing a prompt to remember something readily known. She’s often shared relatable anecdotes about these experiences on various entertainment shows.
채널 A ‘오은영의 금쪽 상담소’
“Geonmangjeung” is often experienced by middle-aged women, particularly those experiencing menopause, or by stressed middle-aged men. It’s often linked to conditions like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and is distinct from more severe memory loss.
Park So-hyun recently opened up about the increasing severity of her forgetfulness on the tvN STORY program “What to Do with What’s Left,” revealing some particularly startling incidents.
tvN STORY ‘남겨서 뭐하게’
She recounted going on a blind date, only to find herself on a second date with the same person a month later. They were introduced through different connections, and when she greeted him the second time with “Nice to meet you,” he remained silent. She only discovered the mix-up after speaking with the mutual friend who had set up both dates.
Park So-hyun also confessed to buying a gift for a boyfriend and then completely forgetting about it, leaving it in the back seat of her car for a month. But that wasn’t an isolated incident – she later discovered a collection of forgotten gifts dating back six months and even two weeks!
Her close friend Kim Sook shared her own story about Park So-hyun’s forgetfulness, recalling a visit to a restaurant where Park So-hyun insisted it was her first time there, despite a large signed photo of her adorning the wall.
tvN STORY ‘남겨서 뭐하게’
There have also been instances of her forgetting the faces of longtime radio colleagues or treating repeat guests as if they were meeting for the first time, prompting concern and amusement from those around her.
Fans have responded with a mix of laughter and concern, with many expressing hope that Park So-hyun will seek treatment to manage her forgetfulness. “It’s funny, but it’s a serious issue,” one commenter wrote, while others sent messages of encouragement and support.
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