Kim Hye-sun reveals escape to Germany to overcome depression

Comedian Kim Hye-sun has opened up about why she temporarily stepped away from the spotlight to move to Germany and how she met her German husband, Stefan. While she once enjoyed immense popularity on television, her move to Germany was more than just an overseas stay; it was a vital turning point to seek a new life after struggling with identity confusion and depression.

Kim and Stefan appeared on KBS 1TV's 'Morning Forum' on the 14th, sharing their journey from their first meeting to their marriage.

The couple first met at a restaurant in Germany. Recalling the moment, Kim said, "I met my husband through a blind date at a German restaurant." She noted that because she arrived an hour later than scheduled, she assumed he would have already left, but Stefan was still waiting for her.

Stefan explained, "I was waiting because I was worried." Kim was deeply impressed by his consideration for her from their very first encounter.

Stefan revealed that when he first saw Kim, she was "cute and pretty," adding, "I hugged her as soon as I saw her." Kim also remembered the moment vividly. "When I first hugged him, I felt a warm sensation, and I felt like, 'I might actually marry this person,'" she said.

The meeting was particularly significant because Kim was going through a dark period before meeting Stefan.

During the broadcast, Kim confessed, "My depression was very severe. I even had bad thoughts." She also spoke candidly about her isolation, stating, "I was also very lonely in Germany."

Meeting Stefan was almost a coincidence. Kim explained that a friend she was working with at the time suggested, "There is a good person, and it would be good if you met them." That introduction ultimately changed her life.

"Meeting my husband led to my healing," Kim said. Recalling those days, Stefan added, "I was happy. I fell in love with Hye-sun immediately. I thought I wanted to see her one more time."

Their relationship progressed quickly. Kim revealed they spent about 100 days together in Germany. She explained that despite being a well-known celebrity, she felt profound loneliness in her private life. "Even though I am a celebrity, people said I looked lonely, seeing me alone in a dark room at home," she shared. Meanwhile, Stefan was reportedly thinking about marriage from the start. "My husband thought it would be good to marry then, but I had the thought that I should marry from the very beginning," Kim said.

The couple also faced the practical challenges of an international relationship. Choosing whether to settle in Korea or Germany was a major decision. "International couples must choose a country. We agonized a lot over whether it should be Korea or Germany, but my husband respected my profession a lot," Kim said. Ultimately, they married in 2018 after finding a way to respect each other's careers and lifestyles.

Kim's psychological struggles are not new information. She appeared on 'Morning Forum' in January this year to discuss the reasons behind her hiatus. At that time, she gained massive popularity through the segment 'The Ultimate Weapon, She,' but admitted the persona caused an identity crisis. "It felt like a process of losing myself," she explained. "My depression was so severe that I even left broadcasting for a while."

For broadcasters, public popularity can be a double-edged sword. As a persona becomes more iconic, the gap between the public image and the actual person can widen. Kim experienced this firsthand, needing to redefine her identity as her fame grew.

Her move to Germany was a direct response to these life inflection points. While starting over in a foreign country can be isolating, for Kim, it provided the opportunity to build new relationships and redefine her life's direction.

The relationship with Stefan began with mutual attraction and led to marriage after 100 days of dating. For Kim, Stefan was more than just a romantic partner; he was the person who helped her find her way back to herself.

While Kim Hye-sun was known for her high-energy characters on stage, her story reveals the vulnerability and loneliness she faced behind the scenes. Her journey shows that even for those in the spotlight, the path to happiness often requires finding a balance between public persona and private peace.

By sharing her story of depression, loneliness, and her eventual healing through love, Kim has shown that even the darkest periods can serve as a starting point for a new life. Since marrying in 2018, Kim and Stefan have built a life rooted in the stability and love that helped Kim navigate her most difficult years.