Ahn Eun-jin reveals her secret to staying anonymous at Han River pools

Actress Ahn Eun-jin has revealed her unique way of enjoying daily life in an unexpected manner. She shared that when she visited a Han River swimming pool wearing a swim cap and goggles, not a single person around her recognized her. It was humorous to see an actress who has built significant public recognition through her works enjoying perfect anonymity among ordinary citizens.

On the 13th, a video was released on the YouTube channel 'Fairy Jaehyung' featuring Ahn as a guest. During the appearance, Ahn spoke candidly about her recent acting activities, her international recognition, and the everyday experiences she faces due to her profession.

Ahn mentioned that her recent work, 'Kiss is Just a Kiss,' has received a positive response overseas. "It was loved so much," she said, adding, "I heard it did very well globally as well."

Jung Jae-hyung also commented on the international reaction to her work, noting, "I heard that when you go abroad, there are even people who come to ask for your autograph."

However, Ahn's actual perception was slightly different. She laughed, saying, "I heard that too, but I haven't experienced it when I go out."

She expressed anticipation for overseas activities and travel, stating, "Still, it's great. I intend to be active. If I take a break this time, I'll go and experience it firsthand."

When Jung recommended a trip to Bali, Ahn confessed, "I went to Bali, but no one recognized me." This highlights that while the recognition of a work may increase both domestically and internationally, it does not necessarily translate directly into everyday fame where people recognize the actor's face.

Ahn explained that in her daily outings, there are actually not many people who recognize her. "When I go out, there are times when people really don't recognize me," she said, adding, "They really respect my privacy well."

In particular, she shared an anecdote about recently visiting a Han River swimming pool with a friend. Ahn showed Jung a photo taken at the time, which captured her enjoying the pool while wearing a swim cap and goggles. It was a sight quite different from the image she usually portrays in her works.

Upon seeing the photo, Jung was surprised, asking, "Who would recognize this?"

Ahn also laughed, saying, "No one knows. That's why I enjoy hanging out with my friends. Even when I dress up, there aren't many instances of being recognized."

When Jung remarked, "Even if I wear a hat and sunglasses, people recognize me," Ahn emphasized her own method once again. Pointing to the photo of her in a swim cap and goggles, she said, "If I do this, no one knows," drawing laughter.

Ahn's experience is interesting in that the boundary between an actor's public recognition and their private sphere does not necessarily expand at the same rate. While an actor is recognized through their characters, faces, and names in works, their daily appearance can naturally blend into the scenery of ordinary citizens.

Ahn debuted in 2012 with the musical 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' and expanded her field of activity from stage plays and musicals to television. Since then, she has grown her presence as an actress through works such as 'Hospital Playlist,' 'The Good Bad Mother,' and 'My Dearest.' In particular, her public recognition rose significantly after she played the role of Yoo Gil-chae in 'My Dearest,' delivering a wide range of emotions.

Nevertheless, the "life where no one recognizes me" that Ahn spoke of can paradoxically be a significant advantage for an actor. This is because being able to spend free time with friends and lead an ordinary daily life outside of film sets is a private asset not easily granted to actors with busy schedules.

Recently, with the expansion of OTT and global platforms, there has been an increasing number of cases where the recognition of Korean actors is formed across borders. When a work becomes a hit overseas, the actor's name and face are naturally imprinted on global fans. Ahn is also experiencing this change firsthand as the international response to her work expands.

However, at the Han River swimming pool, she was able to avoid the gaze of people around her with just the simple attire of a swim cap and goggles. The gap between her glamorous star image and her extremely ordinary daily life was fully revealed through Ahn's pleasant episode.

Ultimately, for Ahn, the swim cap and goggles are not just simple swimming supplies, but an "unexpected disguise" that allows her to briefly return from being a famous actress to an ordinary citizen. While she captures the attention of countless viewers in her works, the fact that she can spend time to her heart's content with friends at a Han River pool without being spotted might be her most realistic "star privilege."