Park Won Sook addresses remarriage rumors with Lim Hyunsik: 'Great as friends'

Actress Park Won Sook has clarified her relationship with longtime acting colleague Lim Hyunsik, directly addressing dating and remarriage rumors. While acknowledging their special bond formed through years of working together on various projects and broadcasts, she maintained that their relationship is not romantic or based on marriage. Along with this, she shared her honest reflections on marriage and childbirth, looking back on a life that included two marriages and divorces.

On the 21st, Park spoke about the recent rumors surrounding her relationship with Lim through her YouTube channel, 'Park Won Sook Channel.'

The two became familiar to the public as the parents of Sundol in the MBC drama 'Three Families Living Under One Roof,' which aired starting in 1986. Since then, they have maintained a long-lasting friendship by appearing together on various programs, which naturally led to repeated dating and remarriage rumors centered around them in online communities and the broadcasting industry.

Interest in their relationship surged again recently following reports that the two were spotted spending time together. Appearing to be aware of this, Park showed her characteristic relaxed attitude, jokingly asking, "Should I try to attract more viewers?"

However, she drew a clear line regarding the nature of their relationship. "Whether you call us a man and a woman, friends, or good neighbors, any of those is fine," Park said, expressing a positive view of her friendship with Lim. But she dismissed the dating rumors by emphasizing, "We are absolutely not in a relationship where we share romantic love."

Their relationship is described as one of intimacy and human trust built over a long time of working together. Given that both are veteran actors who have been active in the broadcasting industry for many years, Park's stance reflects the deep bond they have accumulated, which goes beyond being mere co-stars, and clarifies why such friendship should not be interpreted as a romantic relationship.

Park also shared a very realistic view on marriage. "If I could go back, I don't think I would get married," she said, adding, "Because it is truly a pit of hardship." She emphasized that in a life where living alone is already not easy, a married couple must adjust to one another, and there is the added responsibility of being good parents to their children.

Reflecting on her childhood as the eldest daughter among six siblings, she also opened up about her thoughts on childbirth. "It was so difficult that I thought I wouldn't have many children, so I only had one," she recalled. She continued, "Looking back, I feel I did very well by only having one child despite that pain."

She was even more candid when reflecting on her marriage in her younger years. Park revealed that she realized the importance of not rushing into marriage too late, stating, "I married in a hurry without even having the chance to choose a good man." Her comment, "I finally understood why one should wait for the right age to marry as I approach 80," contained deep life insights derived from her own experiences.

Park debuted as a second-generation open recruitment talent for MBC in 1970 and has been active as an actress for over half a century. She has experienced two marriages and divorces, and in 2003, she suffered the great pain of losing her only son to a car accident. Her personal experiences with marriage and family have served as the background for her unique perspective on life and human relationships in her subsequent broadcasts.

Recently, after concluding the variety program 'Park Won Sook's Let's Live Together,' which she hosted for about seven years, she has been continuing her new daily life running a cafe in Namhae County, Gyeongnam. Her recent remarks can be interpreted as a reflection of her current life, as she communicates with the public by sharing honest stories about life experiences and human relationships rather than focusing on glamorous entertainment activities.

Ultimately, for Park, Lim is closer to a precious colleague and friend with whom she has built a bond through years of acting and laughing together. Since she has directly stated her position regarding the recurring dating and remarriage rumors, it is consistent with her explanation to place importance on the human friendship accumulated over many years rather than speculating on their relationship.