Oh Hyun-kyung's daughter to fund own graduate studies after 10 years in US

Actress Oh Hyun-kyung revealed the recent life of her daughter, Chaeryeong, who has been studying in the United States for 10 years, showcasing their deep mother-daughter bond. After studying abroad since childhood, Chaeryeong expressed her intention to work and fund her own graduate studies following her recent graduation, drawing attention to how tenderly she cares for Oh.

During the tvN STORY broadcast of 'Table Tales' aired on the 17th, Lee Il-hwa invited 'Mat-seonja' Oh Hyun-kyung and Yun Ji-suk for a sincere conversation. The discussion centered on their respective lives, families, and how their perspectives have shifted over time.

Oh introduced Chaeryeong, who lived in Boston for approximately 10 years, describing her as a "filial daughter." Rather than a simple update on her child's return, it was a reflective story about Oh's own journey of raising her daughter alone while working as an actress for many years.

"Since she was young, she saw her mother working hard. Even though our family wasn't wealthy, we sent her to study abroad," Oh said. She explained that despite financial constraints, she chose to give her daughter the opportunity to experience the wider world.

Oh rose to prominence after being named Miss Korea Jin in 1989 before transitioning to acting, building a long-standing career across television and film. She solidified her reputation with strong performances in dramas such as 'First Wives' Club', 'The Heirs', and 'The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop'. As her career required her to simultaneously manage her livelihood and child-rearing, the decision to support a 10-year education abroad was a significant one for Oh.

Lee Il-hwa, who has witnessed Oh's journey closely, remarked, "You worked so hard, sister. You even saw her through graduation while filming dramas." She added, "Now that I've met her, Chaeryeong is so pretty. She's even working part-time jobs.""

Having recently completed her long period of study abroad, Chaeryeong has graduated from university. However, her journey is not over. Oh confessed to feeling the realistic financial burden regarding Chaeryeong proceeding to graduate school in the United States.

"She graduated this time, and when I told her that graduate school in the US might be too difficult for me [financially] anymore, she said she would earn the money herself and go, so she is working now.""

Chaeryeong's decision to work to enter graduate school, seemingly to avoid increasing her mother's economic burden, touched Oh deeply. The relationship was clearly illustrated by how the daughter, who lived in a foreign country since childhood, has grown into an adult who seeks to ease her mother's worries.

Oh also spoke of how her daughter looks after her. Most touching was the anecdote that Chaeryeong checks on her mother's room every night before going to sleep.

"Seeing me struggling more than before, my daughter developed a habit," Oh said. "She opens my door before she goes to sleep. She checks if I am sleeping safely, turns off the light, and then leaves.""

She added, "She does it because she wants someone by my side. She said she wishes there were someone to worry about her when she is sick."

The relationship between the mother and daughter, who were separated for a long time due to her studies, now appears to have reversed. While Oh was the guardian responsible for her daughter's life and education in the past, the adult Chaeryeong has become the one checking on her mother's well-being.

During the broadcast, Lee Il-hwa also discussed her 28-year-old daughter's independence. However, unlike Oh's daughter, Lee brought laughter to the set by sharing how she felt hurt by her daughter's blunt honesty.

Lee explained, "Instead of worrying, she tries to raise me to be brave." She added, "When she was young, she used to nag me, saying, 'Mom, you have princess syndrome.'"

She also shared that her daughter, who recently attended a performance, evaluated it by saying, "The other actor's acting is much better." When Lee expressed her disappointment, Oh empathized, while Pak Se-ri interpreted it by saying, "She might just be providing an honest evaluation.""

Lee joked about her daughter, saying, "She's just so honest and cool that she slightly puts her mother down, though I believe she doesn't mean it.""

As the conversation turned to children, the group naturally showed consideration for Yun Ji-suk. When Lee Young Ja remarked, "As someone without a daughter, I feel like I'd want at least one child," Oh admitted, "That's why I sometimes feel bad talking about kids in front of Ji-suk. But the topic keeps coming up.""

Lee Il-hwa noted Oh's consideration, saying, "Sister, you are being so thoughtful," though she teased, "But you've bragged the most today," which caused laughter in the studio.

Yun Ji-suk then shared her clear stance on marriage and children: "The door to dating is always open, but I have no intention of marrying. I love living alone. I am very satisfied.""

The update on Chaeryeong was more than just a story of a successful student abroad. It was a testament to a daughter who, after growing up independently in a foreign land, has become an adult capable of taking responsibility for her own path and looking after her mother's health. It reflected how a parent's long-standing sacrifice can return as a different form of love through a child's growth.