Park Se-in chooses to live without a prosthetic finger

Park Se-in decided not to wear a prosthetic finger following an accident in LA three years ago that resulted in the amputation of her left pinky. After undergoing six additional surgeries in Korea, she has embraced the injury as part of herself.

Park Se-in, the daughter of singer Insooni, has candidly shared the harrowing moments, psychological aftereffects, and the reason behind her decision to live without a prosthetic finger following an amputation accident. Despite losing a part of her body in a sudden accident, she chose to accept the injury as a part of herself rather than hiding it. Her confession, which follows long periods of treatment and post-traumatic stress, serves as a story of recovery and a changing perspective on life.

A video featuring Park Se-in's story was released on the People's Radio Station channel of The Korea Times on the 8th. In the video, Park recalled a terrible accident she experienced approximately three years ago during a business trip to LA, United States. While she was removing luggage from a vehicle's trunk, the car suddenly reversed, trapping her left pinky finger between the vehicle and a wall, resulting in an irreversible injury. The unexpected accident instantly disrupted her daily life.

Although she received emergency surgery locally, the situation was more serious than expected. After returning to Korea, significant necrosis of the finger tissue had progressed, requiring further treatment at a domestic hospital. She subsequently underwent six additional surgeries, and during the third surgery, her finger was ultimately amputated. While the treatment process spanning about seven to eight months involved considerable physical pain, Park composed herself by thinking it was a relief that only her left hand was injured.

However, the aftereffects of the accident were not limited to visible wounds. Park stated that her psychological distress began in earnest about one year after the accident. She experienced post-traumatic stress symptoms, including suffering from nightmares and freezing up at the sound of car horns. The mental shock arrived belatedly, making it difficult to maintain a normal daily routine and causing sleep deprivation.

Writing helped her gradually escape those difficult times. Park explained that through writing, she looked into the complex emotions tangled within her and found solace in the process of translating her difficult pain into sentences. Her recovery process is particularly notable as she used the accident not merely as a physical loss, but as an opportunity to reflect on her inner self and rediscover the meaning of life.

In particular, Park revealed her decision not to wear a prosthetic to hide the amputated finger. She explained that a prosthetic felt different from a real finger and felt no necessity to wear one just to hide the traces of the accident. She noted that most people around her do not even notice the condition of her finger unless she mentions it first.

Park's choice reflects a changed perspective on the accident. She expressed that she feels she has grown since the accident and sees no reason to hide or be ashamed of the injury. Her life demonstrates that hiding a physical deficiency is not a requirement for recovery. The process of accepting the traces of the accident has brought her a sense of self-esteem and freedom.

The composed attitude of her mother, Insooni, also played an important role in her recovery. Park recalled staying calmly by her mother's side to ensure Insooni did not take the accident more seriously than necessary. Insooni's consideration in trying not to show instability in front of her daughter influenced the way Park approached her own difficulties. The composure shown by her closest family member provided the strength to endure the desperate situation.

Insooni previously shared her feelings regarding her daughter's accident during an appearance on TV CHOSUN's Lovers of Joseon this past March. She mentioned that she endured the situation by suppressing her emotions, fearing that if she wept, it would make her daughter suffer even more. Her attempt to show strength to her daughter, setting aside the fear and sadness she felt as a mother, moved many people.

Park Se-in has also built an extraordinary career and academic record. After graduating at the top of her class from Stanford University in the United States, she worked for the global company Microsoft and is known for her ability to speak four languages. She previously drew public attention by demonstrating outstanding intellectual capabilities on the tvN variety show The Age of Brainy Men: Problematic Men.

She has also reached a new beginning in her personal life. Park married a non-celebrity in July 2024 and, in September, announced her pregnancy two years after her marriage, receiving congratulations. Following the terrible accident, long treatment, and psychological pain, her life is reaching another turning point as she welcomes a new family member.

While the accident that cost her a finger remains an indelible event in her life, she has accepted the trace as a part of herself instead of hiding it. Her choice to live without a prosthetic, her healing through writing, and the changes made with her mother's steady support convey the message that a physical wound cannot define an entire life. Park Se-in's confession of finding happiness in her own way even after the accident leaves a deep resonance.

Read the original (Korean)