Kim Se-ah's Insight
TenAsia's Kim Se-ah delves deeply into entertainment industry issues.
Former baseball player Hwang Jae-gyun has recently drawn attention by discussing remarriage and children on various entertainment programs. However, his repeated mentions of his divorce on several shows post-retirement have led some viewers to criticize him for a perceived lack of consideration for his ex-wife, expressing fatigue over the topic.
On a recent episode of MBC's variety show 'The Manager,' Hwang shared his future broadcasting plans and thoughts on marriage. He candidly expressed his desire to have children, naturally bringing up the possibility of remarriage. During the show, Hwang mentioned his appearance on KBS 2TV's 'Ask Us Anything,' prompting host Jun Hyun-moo to jokingly ask, "Is your concern 'Should I get married again?'" Hwang did not strongly deny this, continuing the conversation about marriage. Although the exchange was light-hearted, it sparked various reactions online.
This is not the first time Hwang has mentioned the possibility of remarriage. Since publicly revealing his divorce, he has consistently shared his thoughts on marriage and his feelings post-divorce on various platforms, including the YouTube content 'Jjanhyung' released in February. He also touched on his divorce during a February episode of 'The Manager.'
Hwang divorced Jiyeon, a former member of the group T-ara, in 2024. Their marriage had garnered significant attention, and their divorce was equally newsworthy. Following his retirement from baseball, Hwang has embarked on a new career in broadcasting, marking a fresh chapter in his life.
Recently, he signed an exclusive contract with SM C&C, home to broadcasters like Kang Ho-dong and Jun Hyun-moo, signaling an active pursuit of his new career. As a former sports star transitioning to broadcasting, there is considerable anticipation for the new persona he will present.
However, the recurring focus on Hwang's personal life, particularly his post-divorce narrative, remains a point of contention. Instead of sharing behind-the-scenes stories from his sports career or unique experiences as a former baseball player, the emphasis on marriage, divorce, and remarriage discussions has led to concerns about him being pigeonholed into a specific image.
While his ex-wife Jiyeon has not publicly addressed the divorce on social media or in official activities, Hwang's repeated discussions on the topic across various shows have been perceived by some as lacking sensitivity.
Though it is natural for variety shows to draw on personal experiences, there is a risk of being typecast if similar stories are repeatedly told. Some online communities and social media users have expressed fatigue, noting, "It's the same story on every show," and "The divorce talk keeps repeating."
To establish himself as a versatile entertainer, Hwang needs to diversify his stories and character. As he steps onto a new stage post-retirement, there is keen interest in how he will differentiate himself from his past as an athlete.
Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr