Top Actress Addressing Marriage Life With Chaebol Ex-Husband Goes Viral

Actress Go Hyun Jung‘s past appearance on a variety show has resurfaced.

On December 7, an online post titled “Go Hyun Jung Talks About Her Marriage Life With Chung Yong Jin” went viral. Go Hyun Jung, who is arguably one of the greatest actors of her generation, married Shinsegae heir Chung Yong Jin in 1995. The couple later divorced in 2003.

In the post, a netizen uploaded stills from a past talk show, in which Go Hyun Jung revealed what her marriage life was like with one of Korea’s most powerful chaebols.

We dated for 2 years, and I got married when I was 22 and my partner was 25.

— Go Hyun Jung

According to the actress, due to her young age, she didn’t understand what the fuss was about marrying into a chaebol family.

Because we were young, I didn’t understand what was so special about being a chaebol. When I married him there were many people saying that I was marrying him for his money and not for love…

— Go Hyun Jung

The show’s host, Kang Ho Dong, then carefully asks if she felt wronged by the rumors saying she had married for the business magnate’s money.

Do you feel wronged by the rumors saying your marriage was devoid of love?

— Kang Ho Dong

To which the actress emphatically revealed that she had loved him very much when they married. The actress, who retired after her marriage, stated that she didn’t mind leaving the entertainment industry behind for him.

Yes. I really did like him, a lot. He had a polished sense of humor. He is a nice and really cool person. He wasn’t cocky about the fact that he was powerful. He was funny, and we complimented each other well. I really liked our relationship. It was to the point that I saw him for himself and wanted to have a lot of children with him. I liked him to the point that I retired for him.

— Go Hyun Jung

Kang Ho Dong then asked her if she would marry him all over again if she had the chance. The actress then stated that if it weren’t for what comes with marrying a chaebol, she would.

If I just considered him as a person, I would (marry him again). I really, really liked him.

— Go Hyun Jung

Kang Ho Dong then asked what difficulties she faced in her marriage, to which the actress hinted that she couldn’t live up to the lofty expectations demanded of a chaebol’s wife.

I think we married too young. We weren’t dating anymore, and we were married. If I had learned more and had met him when I was a bit more polished, I think I would have been able to live up to expectations, but I think I wasn’t able to then.

— Go Hyun Jung

Netizens reacted to the post, with many praising Go Hyun Jung for her graceful responses. Fans couldn’t help but also praise the actress’s beauty in the stills.

• “Wow, she really shines.”
• “All I can think about is how pretty she is, LOL.”
• “Wow, she’s so pretty…”
• “Her words are also so pretty, ㅠ. Her face is also so pretty… There is a reason why she was Miss Korea.”
• “She was so young. She was only 22.”
• “But why is she so pretty?”
• “She did the right thing by saying nice things, considering they have children together. You can tell she is a deep person.”
• “Go Hyun Jung basically made Chung Yong Jin’s image, but he went and ruined it.”

Meanwhile, Go Hyun Jung returned to the entertainment industry after her divorce and hasn’t looked back. The actor is well regarded as a generational talent and is one of Korea’s most esteemed actors. Go Hyun Jung most recently starred in K-Drama’s Reflection Of You and Mask Girl, but she will forever be linked to the legendary K-Drama, Sandglass, which saw a viewership rating north of 64%.

For perspective, a viewership rating over 10% is considered a hit K-Drama, and very rarely do K-Dramas achieve a viewership rating of 20%.