Shin Ae-ra reflects on family changes during Wonju trip

Actress Shin Ae-ra shared glimpses of a family trip to Wonju on her YouTube channel on the 24th, reflecting on her children's growth as her eldest son, Cha Jung-min, prepares for his wedding in Seoul on the 29th.

Actress Shin Ae-ra expressed overwhelming emotions while watching her children, who have grown significantly. She noted that while parents used to play with their children when they were young, they have now reached an age where they enjoy time together, and sometimes the children even look after the parents. With the addition of new family members, a new chapter is opening for Shin Ae-ra's family.

On the 24th, a video titled "How about a family trip?" was released on the YouTube channel 'Shin Ae-ra Life'. Shin Ae-ra shared glimpses of daily life during a trip to Wonju, Gangwon Province, with her family. They spent relaxing time exploring markets, enjoying food, and admiring beautiful natural scenery, though the trip faced an unexpected obstacle at the start.

The bottom of their vehicle got caught on a steep turn. Recalling the situation, Shin Ae-ra said, "I was so surprised at that moment. I should have listened to my husband. He told me it wouldn't work, but I pushed through. Fortunately, no one was hurt." Although she was shaken by the forced choice, she felt relieved that no one was injured. The sudden situation during the family trip added a sense of realism to the video.

Afterward, the family enjoyed the leisure of the trip by looking around markets and taking walks. "As expected, travel is about constant food and walking. Walking is so good. There are so many things you can only discover when you walk slowly," Shin Ae-ra said. Conveying the joy of traveling without rushing, she found special meaning even in ordinary moments with her family.

What particularly moved Shin Ae-ra was the growth of her children. "When the children were young, I was the one playing with them, but now we play together. Perhaps the children are playing with me," she confessed, adding, "I don't know when they grew up so much." The children, who once needed a parent's touch, have grown into companions who spend time together.

During the trip, the children took charge of preparing the barbecue as well as the cleanup. Watching her children handle tasks on their own, Shin Ae-ra felt a deep sense of emotion. "I waited for the day the kids would grow up, and that day has finally come. It was faster than I thought," she said. Her words captured the feeling of watching children grow up quickly, even before parents can fully realize it.

Shin Ae-ra also left meaningful words regarding the changes in her family. "New family members are added, loved ones leave our side, and the appearance of the family changes little by little," she said. This can be interpreted to mean that a family does not stay in one place but continuously changes through the growth of children, new connections, and partings. With the recent news of her eldest son Cha Jung-min's marriage, Shin Ae-ra has moved from the era of raising children to a period of welcoming new family members.

Shin Ae-ra married actor Cha In-pyo in 1995, and they have one son and two daughters. They had a son in 1998 and later formed their family by adopting two daughters in 2005 and 2008. The eldest son, Cha Jung-min, appeared on Mnet's 'Superstar K' Season 5 in 2013 and has continued his activities as a singer-songwriter under the stage name 'NtoL'.

Cha Jung-min is set to hold his wedding at an undisclosed location in Seoul on the 29th. His bride-to-be is reported to be the daughter of a retired executive from a large corporation, and the two developed from childhood friends into lovers before becoming a married couple. Shin Ae-ra's confession, coming at a time when her children are growing and forming new families, invites reflection on the passage of time that any parent can relate to. The moments of waiting for children to grow up have passed, leaving behind a heart that both rejoices in their growth and feels the poignancy of how quickly time has flown.

Read the original (Korean)