Actress Jang Shin-young has made a heartfelt return to the small screen after a three-year hiatus, sharing intimate details of her challenging journey back to acting on the June 6, 2025, episode of KBS 2TV's popular variety show Pyeonstorang.
Her comeback to drama, marked by her lead role in the upcoming MBC series The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun, has been a whirlwind of emotions and physical strain. During the episode, Jang candidly revealed that the pressure to perform well after such a long break led to a sudden health scare, landing her in the emergency room just days before filming resumed.
"I was really grateful to be cast as the lead in a drama," Jang shared, adding with a shy smile, "I was the director's first choice for the role, which was a huge honor but also came with a lot of pressure." The anxiety of returning to the spotlight took a toll on her health, causing her to seek urgent medical care. Yet, it was the support from her family, especially her sons, that provided the strength she needed to push forward.
After her check-up, Jang reached out to her eldest son, who sent her an encouraging message that deeply moved her: "Mom, as much as you wanted to work hard, eat well and do your best. We trust you." She recalled, "His words gave me the courage to keep going, and I even asked the doctors to remove my IV so I could get back to my work." This touching moment highlighted the close bond between mother and sons, with her eldest playfully expressing concern about whether her acting skills had dulled during her time away.
Despite the intense schedule, which often left her skipping meals and exhausted, Jang found solace in preparing simple yet nourishing meals. Late-night cooking sessions featured diet-friendly dishes like cabbage stew and grilled yogurt sandwiches, which she enjoyed with her younger son. Demonstrating her resourcefulness, she also introduced viewers to a cost-effective cut of beef sirloin, bought in bulk from a large supermarket at just 5,000 won per serving. With this, she crafted various hearty dishes including steak, beef rib soup, and the Korean delicacy tteokgalbi, showcasing her culinary skills alongside her acting comeback.
The episode also featured special MC Lee Si-an, who reminisced about swimming legend Park Tae-hwan, a role model for many aspiring athletes in 2006. Park's famously huge appetite was humorously discussed by guests Kim Jae-joong, Kim Dong-hyun, and Choo Sung-hoon, who revealed that he once ate 17 slices of bread in one sitting and consumed six meals a day during his peak. Park himself chimed in, recalling a time he devoured 70 plates at a revolving sushi restaurant, adding a lighthearted touch to the broadcast.
While Jang Shin-young's husband, actor Kang Kyung-joon, had appeared with their two sons on the reality show The Return of Superman in 2023, he later withdrew following a legal dispute linked to personal allegations. This background adds another layer to Jang's narrative, highlighting her resilience in balancing family challenges with a demanding career.
Jang's return to acting after three years, underscored by her emergency room visit and the unwavering support from her family, paints a vivid picture of the emotional and physical hurdles faced by performers in the limelight. Her story resonates with many who understand the weight of expectations and the comfort found in loved ones' encouragement.
The June 6 episode of Pyeonstorang not only offered viewers a glimpse into Jang Shin-young's life behind the scenes but also served as a touching reminder of the human side of celebrity life—the struggles, the triumphs, and the simple joys of home-cooked meals shared with family after a long day.
As she steps back into the spotlight, Jang Shin-young's journey reflects both her dedication to her craft and the profound influence of family support in overcoming life's challenges.
