Go Hyun Jung Opens Up on You Quiz on the Block, Reflects on Her Marriage to Chung Yong Jin and Life as a Mother

In her first TV talk show appearance in 15 years, South Korean actress Go Hyun Jung became emotional while discussing her children from her previous marriage to Chung Yong Jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, one of Korea’s largest retail conglomerates.

During the recent episode of tvN’s You Quiz on the Block, Go joined hosts Yoo Jae Suk and Jo Se Ho for an open and candid conversation, touching on various aspects of her life, from her career to motherhood.

Addressing public curiosity about her relationship with her children, Go Hyun Jung shared, “Many wonder if I see my kids. A mother should feel at ease, but that’s a luxury I can’t afford.”

She continued, revealing the emotional toll of being physically distant from her children: “Not living with them created a sense of awkwardness and distance. I never realized how heartbreaking it could be to feel disconnected. It’s an irreplaceable loss that I can’t fill. It’s been challenging.”

Go Hyun Jung’s rise to fame began with the 1995 SBS drama Sandglass, which captivated the nation with its record-breaking ratings of nearly 50.8%. But at the peak of her fame, Go Hyun Jung shocked her fans by marrying Chung Yong Jin and retiring from the entertainment industry.

Reflecting on stepping away from the spotlight, Go Hyun Jung admitted, “I was preparing for marriage during Sandglass. The drama was a cultural phenomenon that coincided with a new chapter in my life. I abruptly ended my career to get married.”

She recalled meeting Chung Yong Jin at 22 and marrying him just two years later. “It was a time when I was deeply focused on our relationship, so filming the drama felt like it was interfering with my romance,” Go Hyun Jung said. “I thought to myself, I’ll quit this job after getting married.”

Despite the unprecedented popularity of Sandglass, Go Hyun Jung confessed that at the time, she didn’t fully grasp the significance of her fame. “The popularity I gained from Sandglass was something most actors would never experience in their lifetime, but at the time, I didn’t understand its value and didn’t really want to feel it,” she explained.

Go Hyun Jung also regretted her decision to marry at the height of her career. “Just before having my first child, I finally understood the impact of Sandglass and felt guilty,” she revealed. “I realized I had been irresponsible. I thought I was living perfectly, but I saw the cracks in my life. I cried often but couldn’t share it with anyone. Few people understood,” she said.

When reflecting on her romance with Chung Yong Jin during her twenties, Go Hyun Jung said, “I fell in love unexpectedly, and I was amazed by how fun dating could be. I was completely swept up in it. That feeling is still vivid. The rush of endorphins made me work tirelessly.”

Despite the overwhelming love and emotional intensity, Go Hyun Jung admitted that the experience profoundly impacted her. “When you’re in love, everything feels so intense that it is difficult to focus on anything else,” she explained.

In the emotional conclusion of the conversation, Go Hyun Jung expressed her feelings about aging in the public eye. “I really wanted to share this,” she said, adding, “Somehow, I may have sometimes seemed rude to the public. That was never my intention.” She continued, “People often compliment my youthful appearance, but I, too, am aging. I want to continue working as an actress who doesn’t lose touch with the times, creating works that resonate with the audience.”

Go Hyun Jung also spoke about her absence on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, where many fans had expressed concern over her lack of presence. “A lot of people feel sorry for me, thinking I’m not connected with my children through social media,” she said. “But I don’t want to be a burden to my kids. Please, help me a little. I hope people don’t see me as too harsh.” Go Hyun Jung was visibly moved as she spoke, struggling to hold back tears.

Go Hyun Jung’s entertainment career began in 1989 when she was crowned Miss Korea, making her debut in the entertainment industry. She became a household name in 1995 with the iconic drama Sandglass, which captured the hearts of millions in Korea. Shortly after the drama’s success, she married Chung Yong Jin and retired from acting.

The couple had two children, a son and a daughter, but after eight years of marriage, they divorced in 2003. Go Hyun Jung returned to acting in 2005 with the drama Spring Day and has since continued to build her career.

In 2009, Go Hyun Jung appeared on the MBC talk show Golden Fishery – The Knee Drop Guru, where she addressed rumors surrounding her marriage and divorce, setting the record straight and opening up about her personal life for the first time publicly.