Ayumi reveals roots of Park Soo-Jin's dedication to education

As the diligent nature of actress Park Soo-Jin—who balanced her entertainment career with academics—comes back into the spotlight, attention is turning toward her current views on children's education. With testimonies emerging that she studied alone while her colleagues enjoyed shopping and leisure during her idol days in her early 20s, new interest is gathering around the background of her deep commitment to her children's education following her move to Hawaii.

On the 19th, a video was released on Hwang Jung-eum's YouTube channel featuring a meeting between Hwang and Ayumi, a former member of Sugar, as they reminisced about their past activities in Japan.

Recalling Sugar's activities in Japan at the time, Ayumi said, “Jung-eum was always out shopping, and Yuk Hye-seung and I went to play elsewhere.” When Hwang replied, “Soojin was studying,” Ayumi added, “She was always just studying at home.”

Though a brief reminiscence, it offers a glimpse into Park's attitude toward life at that time. It shows that during the period when her entertainment career was gaining momentum, she invested her time in academics rather than hanging out with peers. This is quite different from the glamorous image often attached to stars who enter the entertainment industry at a young age.

Park debuted as a member of Sugar in 2001 and began her career as a singer before expanding into acting. While she built public recognition through dramas and variety shows in addition to music, she remains remembered by her colleagues as someone who was deeply committed to self-development and studying.

This past serves as a backdrop for understanding Park's educational philosophy after becoming a mother of two.

Park married actor Bae Yong-joon in 2015, and they have one son and one daughter. The family moved to Hawaii in 2022, where the two children reportedly attend a local private school. Interest in their educational environment resurfaced last year when it was revealed that the couple was on the donor list for the school their children attend.

At the time, the reported donation level was the 'Fellow' tier, which involves donating approximately 14 million to 36 million won annually. This drew attention because it showed more than just a celebrity relocation; it demonstrated active participation in the school community and the children's educational environment.

However, interest surrounding the overseas education of celebrity children is not limited to tuition or school prestige. In the private school culture of Hawaii and the United States, parental participation, donations, and community involvement are vital components of the educational community. Consequently, a parent's educational philosophy and lifestyle are often closely linked to a child's school life.

Considering the self-discipline Park has shown since her youth, it is possible to interpret that her interest in her children's education was not a sudden development. While one cannot conclude that a parent's passion for learning is directly passed down to a child, her experience of treating studying and self-development as a lifelong habit may have influenced her current educational views.

Recently, the Bae Yong-joon and Park Soo-Jin family was spotted traveling to Singapore with their two children. Last year, news of them vacationing in Singapore with the family of actress Park Shin Hye, who was pregnant at the time, also highlighted the close friendship between the two families.

Although Park has been away from the public eye for a while, the image revealed through her colleague's words is unexpectedly different from that of a glamorous star. An idol who held a book alone while her peers enjoyed shopping and traveling—it remains to be seen if those habits have continued as she navigates life as an actress, a wife, and a mother.