Shim Hyun-seop draws mixed reactions after venting about life in Ulsan

Comedian Shim Hyun-seop sparked divided viewer opinions on a YouTube video released on the 1st after expressing frustration over his loneliness and the difficulty of traveling between Ulsan and Seoul. Shim, who married Jeong Yeong-rim in April last year, noted he once traveled between the two cities six times in a single week.

Comedian Shim Hyun-seop has drawn mixed reactions online after expressing his difficulties living in Ulsan to his wife, Jeong Yeong-rim. While he voiced frustration over the difficulty of interacting with acquaintances in Seoul and the repetitive long-distance travel, some viewers criticized him, suggesting he should cherish his life with the wife he met with great difficulty. Conversely, others expressed empathy for the loneliness and fatigue Shim Hyun-seop feels while adjusting to a new place of residence.

On the YouTube channel "Jeong Yeong-rim Shim Hyun-seop," a video titled "Shim Seo-bang confesses his true feelings to Jeong Yeo-seo for the first time" was released on the 1st. During the video, Jeong Yeong-rim noticed her husband's unusual expression and asked, "Oppa, are you in a bad mood today? Why is that?" After a brief hesitation, Shim Hyun-seop revealed his inner feelings regarding his life in Ulsan.

He confessed, "Traveling back and forth to Seoul is hard, and I set a record last year," noting that he traveled between Ulsan and Seoul six times in a single week. The issue was not merely the long travel distance; he also found it difficult to attend the family events of acquaintances that he could have easily visited when living in Seoul.

Shim Hyun-seop expressed his frustration, saying, "I feel sorry for missing things like the family events of my acquaintances. When I lived in Seoul, I could just stop by after work, but since I live in Ulsan, I miss them and feel apologetic." This reflected a combination of regret over being unable to socialize with long-time connections as before and the loneliness of living in an unfamiliar region.

To support her husband, Jeong Yeong-rim prepared a thoughtful dinner featuring his favorite foods, including sandwiches, onion and egg stir-fry, fruit, and fish cakes. Upon seeing the table, Shim Hyun-seop jokingly asked repeatedly if it was a breakfast menu rather than dinner, causing laughter. Jeong Yeong-rim attempted to cheer him up, even expressing concern about his potential menopause symptoms.

Shim Hyun-seop also spoke candidly about his thoughts on living in Ulsan. "I said, 'Let's move down at age 55,' but I see many people living in Ulsan moved down when they were young," he said, adding, "Living here is naturally happy, but I am still adjusting. Even when I go out, I have no one to talk to with an open heart. I miss my friends in Seoul." However, he noted one change since settling in Ulsan: "I drink a bit less than when I lived in Seoul."

While Shim Hyun-seop initially reacted playfully to the meal prepared by his wife, he expressed continuous admiration after tasting it. His satisfaction with her cooking contrasted with his earlier complaints, creating a humorous moment. After the video was released, Shim Hyun-seop lightened the mood by leaving a comment stating, "Actually, I have to pretend to be having a hard time to get my favorite food. It's a highly advanced strategy."

However, viewer reactions were divided. Some criticized his attitude with comments such as, "Know that this is a blessing. Look back at the past," "A light surrender is also necessary," "You should live treating your wife like a precious treasure," "She prepared this well, so why do you keep asking if it's breakfast?" and "You cannot have everything." These comments suggested that since he formed a family with difficulty, he should be grateful for his new life and be more mindful of his wife's consideration.

On the other hand, many opinions sympathized with his feelings. Comments such as, "It is natural to be exhausted traveling between Ulsan and Seoul," "I understand Shim Hyun-seop's heart," "I support the two of them," and "The wife's consideration is broad" were posted. These responses suggest an understanding of his loneliness, noting that settling in a new region is a process of reorganizing not just a residence, but also existing human relationships and lifestyles.

Shim Hyun-seop and Jeong Yeong-rim met and developed a relationship through the TV CHOSUN show "Lovers of Joseon" and were married in April last year. The couple is currently preparing to have a child through in vitro fertilization. As the honest feelings of the couple, who formed a family after a long wait, were revealed during their adjustment to a new life, viewer perspectives on Shim Hyun-seop's complaints remain split between empathy and criticism.

Read the original (Korean)