Park Han-byul Makes Comeback to Variety Shows After Six Years Amid Divorce Rumors
Park Han-byul is set to return to the entertainment scene after a six-year hiatus, joining the cast of TV Chosun's variety show 'Dad and Me' (아빠하고 나하고) Season 2. This marks her first appearance on television since her husband, Yoo In-seok, was embroiled in the Burning Sun scandal. The production team announced that Park has already completed filming and will share her daily life with her father, although the broadcast date is still under discussion.
The new season of 'Dad and Me,' premiering on March 11, focuses on the complex relationship between fathers and their children, allowing them to express their feelings and work towards understanding and forgiveness. Park Han-byul, the only daughter of former soccer player Park Chae-hwa, will be featured alongside her father, which has generated significant interest as they have rarely appeared together on a variety show.
Park's return to the entertainment industry comes after a challenging period. She married Yoo In-seok, the former CEO of Yuri Holdings, in 2017 and welcomed a son. However, in 2019, Yoo was implicated in the Burning Sun scandal, leading to a suspended prison sentence of one year in 2020. At that time, Park expressed her concerns about separating her husband's past from her own life, stating, "I felt it was impossible to completely separate the past of someone I would spend my life with from myself, but I was in a very cautious position as the investigation was ongoing. I apologize."
Following the scandal, Park halted her entertainment activities, with her last project being the MBC drama 'When It Hurts, Love' (슬플 때 사랑한다) in 2019. The drama aired during the height of her husband's controversy, resulting in calls for her to step down, but she completed the series. Afterward, she moved to Jeju Island with her son and started a new life, even opening a café.
In October 2021, she hinted at a possible return to acting by re-signing with her former agency, EL Park, which expressed support for her comeback. However, the contract eventually ended without any significant developments. In 2023, Park launched her personal YouTube channel and signed with a new agency, Chan Entertainment, in December 2024, signaling her return to the industry. She emphasized her commitment to returning to acting through short-form dramas and confirmed her comeback to variety shows with 'Dad and Me.'
Additionally, in November of last year, Park invited her close friend, comedian Hong In-kyu, to her YouTube channel, where they discussed her husband's situation. She asked if there were any questions he wanted to ask about the controversy, to which he cautiously inquired about their relationship. Park reassured him that they were doing well, addressing the divorce rumors circulating about them. Hong noted that he felt relieved to hear that everything was resolved, and Park humorously gestured that she was keeping a close watch on her husband.
As Park Han-byul returns to the variety show scene with her father, many are curious if she will openly discuss the emotional struggles and challenges she faced during the Burning Sun incident.
