Actress Son Ye Jin said that raising children is “very happy but also incredibly difficult,” sharing how she adjusted her perspective on her career after turning 40.

In an interview with Hankyung at the end of September, Son Ye Jin openly talked about her life raising children with her husband, actor Hyun Bin, revealing that behind the image of one of Korea’s most famous celebrity couples are the very ordinary experiences of parents.

At 44, Son Ye Jin still maintains her elegant beauty, smooth skin, and balanced figure, exuding youthfulness and radiance despite having given birth and being busy with family life. Photo: Instagram yejinhand

Son Ye Jin said that raising children is tiring for her, especially when she has to stay up all night taking care of them or doesn’t have enough time to rest. “We are just ordinary parents like everyone else. When our children are sick, we stay up all night to take care of them. The hardships of raising children, while very happy, are also very tiring,” the actress described.

According to Hyun Bin’s wife, because the couple sleeps with their son, it’s difficult to find time to watch each other’s TV series or other works in their own right, as they have to take care of the child.

Happiness comes from the simple things with my child.

For Son Ye Jin, raising children is not just a responsibility but also an experience that helps adults mature. She believes that becoming a parent gives each person the opportunity to look back on their childhood and better appreciate the value of seemingly simple activities. “If we didn’t have children, when would we ever go to amusement parks or zoos? Such trips, though tiring, are very precious,” she expressed.

Son Ye Jin increasingly cherishes the time her family can spend together while healthy. She feels grateful to be able to experience these precious moments with her loved ones, even though taking care of her children is not easy.

The actress also mentioned changes in parenting styles. According to her, parents today have to closely supervise their children when taking them out, even to the playground. This makes childcare more time-consuming and requires more attention. She also mentioned that she and her husband try to take their child out and travel to give them more experiences. However, they are cautious about publicly sharing photos online to protect their child’s privacy. These shared experiences show that the joy of motherhood doesn’t eliminate daily pressures. Even with good living conditions and family support, parents still have to adapt to changing schedules, childcare responsibilities, and the need to protect their privacy.

Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin often take advantage of their free time to take their son out to play and explore the world around him; the boy is now grown up and knows how to hold a camera to take pictures of his mother, bringing to life adorable everyday moments of the family. Photo: Instagram yejinhand

Adjust your expectations to live a more peaceful life.

Besides stories about her family, Son Ye Jin also shared about the changes in her career perspective after getting married and entering her 40s. She reflected on a period when she constantly pushed herself and placed high expectations on the results of her work. The actress realized that being overly concerned about the success or failure of a project could lead to exhaustion.

Son Ye Jin stated that she currently wants to become an actress with a long-term career rather than constantly taking on numerous projects. She wants to accumulate experience, try new roles, and continue to grow with each work. The actress admires people who know how to slow down, be more relaxed, and find joy in what they have.

Another message emphasized by Hyun Bin’s wife is that images on social media don’t reflect a person’s entire life. “I only post happy moments,” she said, adding that everyone has tiring times, even if it’s not shown in publicly shared photos.

Son Ye Jin’s statements offer a relatable perspective on women’s mental health: it’s not always necessary to excel in every role or project an image of happiness. Acknowledging fatigue, adjusting expectations, and appreciating what you have are all part of adapting to life. Women who balance family life and career development, take time to rest, share responsibilities with their partners, and maintain personal hobbies can help reduce stress. Self-care doesn’t mean spending a lot of time or money; it starts with not neglecting your own needs.

Son Ye Jin doesn’t offer a perfect formula for balancing family and work. Instead, she shows that even when happy in motherhood, a woman can still get tired, need time to rest, and must learn to adjust her own expectations.

Son Ye Jin married actor Hyun Bin in 2022, and the couple has built a happy family with their first son. They are also admired by the public for their close relationship and for keeping their private lives private. Photo: Instagram yejinhand

Son Ye Jin, born in 1982, is a famous South Korean actress known for films such as *Summer Scent*, *Classic*, *April Snow*, *Something in the Rain*, and *Crash Landing on You*. She married actor Hyun Bin in 2022, the same year she gave birth to their first son. After prioritizing her family for a period, Son Ye Jin returned to film and television projects, continuing to receive attention for her acting and youthful appearance at the age of 44.

Source: Compiled from various sources.