Hwang Shin-hye Recalls Andre Kim's Unique Congratulatory Message Post-Divorce

Hwang Shin-hye recently shared a memorable encounter with the late fashion designer Andre Kim, who offered her a unique congratulatory message following her divorce.

On the October 11th episode of KBS1's variety show 'Hwang Shin-hye's Living Together,' first-generation top model Park Young-sun appeared as a guest.

Park Young-sun, a prominent model in the 1990s, was a star who excelled in commercials, acting, and variety shows. She was particularly known as the muse of the late designer Andre Kim, famous for performing the 'Chilgapsan Performance,' where she removed seven layers of clothing. After retiring in 1999, Park moved to the United States, married a Korean-American in 2004, and later divorced. She returned to Korea in 2014 and is currently working as a fashion show director and stage producer.

Still active in modeling, Park Young-sun laughed, saying, "I might be the longest-serving model. I recently participated in Fashion Week." When Hwang Shin-hye mentioned the 'Chilgapsan Performance,' Park reenacted the performance.

Andre Kim's fashion shows were always a highlight, featuring top stars of the era. The signature ending pose, where male and female models touched foreheads, was iconic. Jung Ga-eun reminisced, "I started my modeling career in Busan, and it was my dream to walk in Andre Kim's show."

Hwang Shin-hye shared her own story related to Andre Kim. She recalled, "When I first met Andre Kim after my divorce, he said, 'Congratulations, Shin-hye.'" She continued, "At the time, I thought it was a stylish expression. Congratulating someone on a divorce was unheard of." It was a forward-thinking and elegant gesture of support from Andre Kim. Hwang expressed her gratitude, saying, "His words still linger in my mind and ears." She even mimicked Andre Kim's distinctive mannerism of holding hands, which brought laughter to everyone.

Hwang Shin-hye married the son of a fashion company executive in 1987 but divorced after nine months. She remarried a second-generation chaebol three years her junior in 1998, had a daughter named Lee Jin-yi the following year, but divorced again in 2005.

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr