On the January 30 broadcast of SBS’s variety show My Grumpy Secretary, Park Shin Hye appeared as the program’s 16th “My Star.” During the episode, she visited the restaurant run by her parents ahead of her agency’s New Year gathering, sharing warm stories about her long-standing relationships with fellow actors.
Amid the lighthearted atmosphere, memories from her early career resurfaced. Now a 24-year veteran actress, Park Shin Hye calmly reflected on her childhood struggles, saying, “I was scolded a lot. I cried secretly. I would go to the bathroom, cry, wipe my tears, and come back out. Sometimes, I even went to the Han River to cry.”
The conversation naturally turned to the 2003 SBS drama Stairway to Heaven, in which Park Shin Hye played the younger version of Choi Ji Woo’s character. During the show, she had to film a scene where her character is slapped by senior actress Lee Hwi Hyang.
Park Shin Hye’s mother revealed, “After seeing her actually being hit, I still can’t bring myself to watch that drama.” It was shared that Park Shin Hye was slapped nearly 30 times during filming. Her mother added, “She never told us how hard it was, so we didn’t know. We only found out much later through her managers. As a parent, it broke my heart.”
This incident has been mentioned in past broadcasts as well. On TV Chosun’s Star Talk Show, insiders claimed that Lee Hwi Hyang was known for delivering real slaps to achieve realistic acting. At the time, some MCs commented that “one strong take is better than multiple NGs.” It was also noted that Lee Hwi Hyang reportedly felt especially apologetic toward Park Shin Hye.
However, many viewers now point out that for a 14-year-old minor, the experience could not have been trivial. Park Shin Hye herself once said, “Senior Lee Hwi Hyang always hugged me afterward. Looking back, it must have hurt a lot, but at the time, I didn’t even realize how painful it was.” Today, some viewers argue that the scene borders on child abuse when judged by current standards.
Park Shin Hye’s mother ultimately sought to ease the situation, saying, “Because of those people, Shin Hye was able to become who she is today.” Lee Seo Jin lightened the mood by joking, “These days, she’s usually the one doing the slapping,” causing laughter.
Sources: Naver