Woo Hye-rim Opens Up About Postpartum Depression After First Child

In the latest episode of KBS2's reality show, Superman Returns (슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다), Woo Hye-rim candidly shared her experience with postpartum depression following the birth of her first child. The episode, titled 'Every Day with You is a Good Day,' showcased the daily life of Hye-rim and her husband, Shin Min-cheol, along with their son, Si-woo.

While Shin Min-cheol took Si-woo out for a date, Hye-rim's mother visited from Hong Kong. Concerned for her daughter, she asked about Hye-rim's health. Hye-rim responded, "I feel like my recovery from the second child is faster. It was really tough after Si-woo was born; even sitting up after surgery was difficult."

Her mother expressed concern, recalling, "Didn’t you cry every day after the first one?" Hye-rim admitted, "I did experience some tears after Si-woo was born. I would find myself crying even when I was just sitting still," revealing her struggle with postpartum depression. Fellow cast member Ahn Young-mi resonated with her feelings, stating, "It felt like my emotional buttons were broken. I would cry while breastfeeding and wonder why."

Hye-rim reflected on the hormonal changes, saying, "I realized how powerful hormones can be. When Si-woo was born, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I was alone in the maternity ward without my husband. I think I couldn’t cry freely because my mom was so worried."

Her mother empathized, saying, "It must have felt surreal, like your life wasn’t your own anymore, questioning if you were really a mother."

Hye-rim acknowledged the challenges of transitioning to motherhood, stating, "We planned for it, but when it became a reality, it was overwhelming. Everything changed overnight. My mom was the first to worry a lot. Thankfully, I reassured her that I feel more relaxed with the second child."