On April 18, 2026, South Korean entertainer Ham So-won found herself at the center of a public parenting debate after sharing a deeply personal moment on social media. The former Miss Korea and actress posted a video featuring her young daughter, Hye-jung, dressed in a taekwondo uniform and enjoying a snack. But the lighthearted moment quickly took a serious turn: Ham revealed that her daughter had been officially diagnosed with obesity, based on a health checkup indicating a body mass index (BMI) percentile above 95.
Ham’s post, which included a snapshot of the diagnosis document, was more than just a health update. It was a candid airing of her frustrations about co-parenting with her ex-husband, Jin Hua, who is 18 years her junior. According to several outlets, including TV Report and NEWSIS, Ham wrote, "Our pretty one is gaining weight. What should I do?" She continued, "Every time she meets her dad on the weekends, she comes back having gained weight. I can’t tell her not to see her father, but what is he feeding her?"
This wasn’t the first time Ham had publicly expressed concern over her daughter’s eating habits and health. In her social media posts, and as reported by Spotv News, she emphasized that at home, she and her daughter eat similar meals—implying that the cause of weight gain must be the weekend visits with Jin Hua. "There’s no reason for her to gain weight based on our meals at home. What are the two of them eating on the weekends?" she questioned, echoing a sentiment that resonated with some followers but drew criticism from others.
Ham’s response to her daughter’s diagnosis was swift and decisive. She declared, "From now on, I will manage her diet. Hye-jung’s diet starts now!" as reported by Xports News and Star News Korea. She made it clear that she intends to take a more active role in managing her daughter’s nutrition and overall health, signaling the beginning of what she called a weight loss program for her daughter.
The story quickly spread across Korean media and social platforms. Many netizens chimed in, some supporting Ham’s concerns, while others criticized her for placing the blame squarely on Jin Hua. As Spotv News noted, some commenters pointed out that children’s weight can fluctuate for a variety of reasons, not solely because of what they eat during visits with another parent. The criticism highlighted the complexities of shared parenting and the dangers of assigning blame when it comes to a child’s health.
Ham So-won and Jin Hua’s relationship has long fascinated the public. The couple married in 2018, overcoming an 18-year age gap, and soon welcomed their daughter. Their family life was featured on the popular variety show Wife’s Taste (아내의 맛), where viewers got a glimpse of their cross-cultural marriage and the lively presence of Ham’s Chinese mother-in-law. However, by 2022, the couple announced their divorce. Despite this, they continued to cohabit, citing business interests and their shared commitment to raising Hye-jung as the primary reasons for their unconventional arrangement.
In a February 2026 appearance on MBN’s 속풀이쇼 동치미, Ham revealed more about their post-divorce life. She shared that after separating, she, Jin Hua, her mother, and Hye-jung spent a year living together in Vietnam. The living situation, she explained, was at times awkward—especially for her mother, who found it strange to share a home with her ex-son-in-law. "When I went out and Hye-jung was at kindergarten, the house felt so cold with just Jin Hua and my mother there," Ham recounted. "From my mother’s perspective, it was as if her divorced former son-in-law had suddenly moved in and spent all day lying around."
Despite the challenges, Ham and Jin Hua have kept the door open to reconciliation. As recently as February, they discussed the possibility of getting back together, though their families reportedly oppose the idea. According to Xports News, the couple’s closeness and ongoing business ties have kept them living together even after their official split, blurring the lines between family and former partners.
The recent controversy over Hye-jung’s health has cast a new light on these family dynamics. Ham’s public comments about her daughter’s weight—and her pointed questions about Jin Hua’s role—have sparked debate about the responsibilities and boundaries in co-parenting after divorce. While Ham’s concern for her daughter’s health is understandable, some observers argue that focusing blame on her ex-husband oversimplifies a complex issue. As some netizens have pointed out, children’s bodies change for many reasons, and emotional well-being is just as important as physical health during childhood.
Still, Ham’s willingness to share her family’s struggles in such a public way is nothing new. Throughout her career, she has been open about both her personal and professional challenges—whether it’s navigating a high-profile marriage, facing cultural differences, or now, tackling the sensitive issue of childhood obesity. Her latest social media post, with its blend of humor, frustration, and resolve, reflects the reality for many parents trying to do their best in complicated circumstances.
As the story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Ham and Jin Hua will navigate co-parenting—and whether their ongoing partnership will help or hinder their daughter’s health and happiness. For now, Ham has made her intentions clear: she’s taking charge of her daughter’s diet and isn’t afraid to speak out about the challenges she faces along the way.
In the midst of public scrutiny and personal turmoil, Ham So-won’s story is a reminder that parenting is rarely straightforward, especially when family structures defy convention. The conversation she’s sparked about childhood health, family dynamics, and the pressures of public life will no doubt continue to resonate far beyond her own household.