By Lina Irawan 
Popular South Korean actress Han So Hee candidly shared her personal aspirations regarding marriage and childbirth during a recent interview, offering a rare glimpse into the private life and future plans of a prominent figure in the highly scrutinized entertainment industry. The revelations, made during a promotional event for her upcoming film The Intern, touched upon societal expectations, personal dreams, and the often-complex balance between a thriving career and family life for female celebrities in South Korea.
The interview took place on the morning of September 8th at a café in Seoul, where Han So Hee engaged with reporters to discuss various aspects of The Intern. While primarily focused on her professional endeavors, the conversation naturally veered into more personal territory, providing a platform for the actress to articulate her perspectives on life beyond the silver screen. Her statements have since garnered significant attention, sparking discussions among fans and industry observers alike about the evolving roles of women in Korean society and entertainment.
The Professional and the Personal: An Actress’s Hypothetical Career
During the interview, Han So Hee was initially asked about a hypothetical career path, specifically what kind of company she would want to intern at if she were not an actress. Her response offered an intriguing insight into her curiosity and engagement with the media landscape that surrounds her. "I’d like to try being an intern reporter," she stated, adding with a smile, "I want to be an intern in the entertainment department. I think it would be fun. Interviewing celebrities sounds exciting. I’m also a fast typist." This lighthearted exchange provided a natural segue into more introspective questions, as reporters turned the hypothetical scenario back on the actress herself.
When pressed on what questions she would pose to celebrities as an intern reporter, Han So Hee revealed a common curiosity shared by the public. "I’d want to ask when they plan to get married," she admitted, highlighting a persistent topic of interest that often dogs public figures, particularly women, in Korean society. This statement then paved the way for the inevitable follow-up, directly inquiring about her own plans for marriage and family.
Aspirations for Marriage and Motherhood
Han So Hee’s response to questions about her personal life was both forthright and deeply personal. She expressed a clear timeline for marriage, stating, "I really want to get married before I turn forty." This timeframe is notable in South Korea, where the average age of first marriage has been steadily rising, particularly for women, reflecting changing social dynamics and increased career focus. In 2022, the average age for women marrying for the first time in South Korea reached 31.3 years, a significant increase from previous decades. Han So Hee’s aspiration to marry before 40, therefore, aligns with a more contemporary trend of delayed but still desired matrimony.
Beyond marriage, the actress articulated a profound longing for motherhood. "I don’t have any illusions about marriage, but I do have dreams about having children," she confessed, underscoring a distinction between the pragmatic realities of partnership and the emotional fulfillment she anticipates from parenthood. This sentiment resonates with many women globally who view motherhood as a distinct and deeply personal ambition, sometimes separate from or even preceding the traditional construct of marriage.
Her subsequent remark, delivered with a laugh, quickly became a focal point of discussion: "I want to marry someone stable. Since I have big dreams about kids, I hope the person who becomes my husband is genetically quite good-looking, for the sake of the next generation." This comment, while delivered humorously, touches upon deeply ingrained societal values in South Korea, where physical appearance and lineage often hold significant cultural weight. The desire for a "stable" partner also reflects the economic and social realities of raising a family in a country with a high cost of living and demanding work culture.
The Hiatus: Prioritizing Family Over Career
Perhaps the most significant revelation regarding her future plans concerned her career post-childbirth. When asked if she would continue acting after having children, Han So Hee shared a clear vision of prioritizing her family. "I don’t think I’ll act for a while. Of course, there are contract periods, but I don’t think I’ll act after having a child. I probably won’t work until my child enters elementary school. After that, I think the child will manage things on their own. Until then, I want to create the best possible time for them."
This declaration outlines a substantial career hiatus, potentially spanning five to six years, depending on when she chooses to have children. Such a commitment to early childhood development, while admirable, is a significant decision for an actress at the peak of her career. It highlights the profound personal sacrifices often made by women in high-profile professions when they choose to embrace motherhood, especially in cultures where intensive parenting is highly valued.
Contextualizing Han So Hee’s Remarks: South Korea’s Demographic Crisis
Han So Hee’s statements are particularly salient when viewed through the lens of South Korea’s severe demographic challenges. The nation has consistently recorded the world’s lowest fertility rate, with the total fertility rate dropping to an alarming 0.72 in 2023, far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. This crisis is driven by a confluence of factors, including high housing costs, intense educational competition, demanding work hours, and the increasing burden placed on women who often juggle both career and extensive childcare responsibilities.
For many South Korean women, the decision to marry and have children is fraught with economic and social pressures. The "marriage penalty," where women often face career setbacks after childbirth, is a pervasive concern. Han So Hee’s desire for a "stable" partner and her willingness to pause her career reflect a societal understanding that raising children in South Korea often requires significant financial security and dedicated parental investment, particularly from the mother. Her dream of children, therefore, represents a personal aspiration that, for many, is increasingly difficult to achieve amidst challenging societal structures.
The Cultural Significance of "Good Looks" and "Stability"
The comment about wanting a "genetically good-looking" husband, though made in jest, taps into a significant aspect of South Korean culture: the high value placed on physical appearance. From an early age, beauty standards are emphasized, and a pleasing aesthetic is often seen as an advantage in both personal and professional spheres. For celebrities, this pressure is amplified, as their image is meticulously managed. Han So Hee’s remark, while humorous, implicitly acknowledges this cultural emphasis, suggesting a desire to pass on favorable traits to her offspring, aligning with a common, albeit often unspoken, societal aspiration.
Equally important is her desire for a "stable" partner. In a society where economic security is paramount, especially for establishing a family, stability is a highly sought-after attribute. This implies not just financial security but also emotional reliability and a supportive partnership, crucial elements for navigating the demands of family life, particularly for someone in the public eye.
Precedent and Implications for the Entertainment Industry
Han So Hee’s decision to potentially step away from acting until her child enters elementary school is a significant move, though not entirely unprecedented in the Korean entertainment industry. Historically, many top actresses have taken extended breaks for marriage and childbirth. Actresses like Lee Young-ae, Jeon Ji-hyun, and Kim Tae-hee, among others, have successfully navigated periods of hiatus for family reasons, only to make triumphant returns to the screen. However, the landscape is increasingly competitive, and extended breaks can pose challenges to maintaining momentum and relevance.
Her explicit articulation of such a detailed plan offers transparency to her fans and the industry. It signals a clear boundary between her professional ambition and her personal priorities, potentially influencing how future contracts are negotiated and how her career trajectory is perceived. For an actress known for intense, often dark, and complex roles in hits like The World of the Married, Nevertheless, and My Name, a prolonged absence would undeniably create a void but also build anticipation for her eventual return.
The Film The Intern and its Thematic Resonance
The interview’s primary focus, The Intern, itself carries themes that subtly resonate with Han So Hee’s personal reflections. While details about the Korean adaptation remain under wraps, the original American film explores intergenerational dynamics in the workplace, career pivots, and the search for purpose beyond conventional roles. Han So Hee’s hypothetical interest in being an entertainment reporter intern suggests an appreciation for observing and understanding different professional environments, much like the premise of The Intern. Her candid discussion about marriage, children, and career breaks also touches upon the broader societal questions of work-life balance and personal fulfillment that films like The Intern often explore.
Public Reception and Broader Impact
Han So Hee’s open discussion of her personal life is likely to be met with a mix of reactions. Many fans will appreciate her honesty and relatable aspirations for a family. Others might view her statements as reinforcing traditional gender roles, particularly the idea of a woman prioritizing child-rearing over career during early childhood. However, her remarks also contribute to a larger national conversation about the choices women face in South Korea, especially given the country’s demographic crisis. By openly sharing her desires and plans, Han So Hee humanizes the struggles and aspirations of many South Korean women who grapple with the societal pressures of marriage, career, and family.
Her statements serve as a reminder that even highly successful public figures are not immune to the fundamental human desires for companionship and family, and that these desires often come with significant personal and professional considerations. As South Korea continues to navigate its complex social and demographic landscape, the voices of influential figures like Han So Hee offer valuable insights into the personal dimensions of these national challenges. Her future journey, both professionally and personally, will undoubtedly continue to be a subject of public interest and scrutiny.
