Park Ha-sun Breaks Down in Tears Over Postpartum Depression: 'Blood Vessels Burst on My Face' - Emotional Confession on Divorce Camp

Park Ha-sun's Heartbreaking Confession About Motherhood Struggles

On June 26th, 2025, JTBC's reality show 'Divorce Camp' featured a deeply moving segment where actress Park Ha-sun courageously opened up about her personal struggles with postpartum depression and maternal instincts. The 13th season's first couple, nicknamed the 'Gullible Couple,' brought their marital issues to light, particularly focusing on childcare challenges with their 23-month-old daughter.

Park Ha-sun, serving as a family investigator on the show, found herself emotionally connected to the wife's situation. The couple had been married for three years, and both had experienced previous relationship trauma - the husband had gone through a broken engagement, while the wife had experienced divorce. Their shared pain initially brought them together, leading to a month of dating followed by four years of cohabitation before marriage.

The wife's daily routine revealed the exhausting reality of solo parenting. She was constantly irritated with her child, expressing doubts about her maternal instincts and feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility. When asked if she had ever taken time for herself since giving birth, she simply answered 'no,' highlighting the isolation many new mothers experience in Korean society.

The Moment That Changed Everything: Park Ha-sun's Personal Revelation

What made this episode particularly powerful was Park Ha-sun's decision to share her own vulnerable moments. She revealed that she too had questioned her maternal instincts from the very beginning, starting from her time at the postpartum care center. The actress confessed that the overwhelming nature of new motherhood led her to break down in front of her husband, actor Ryu Soo-young.

'I thought I lacked maternal love from the postpartum care center,' Park Ha-sun shared. 'After giving birth, it was so difficult that I held it in and held it in, then finally cried to my husband saying, I think I don't have maternal instincts.' Her honesty about this deeply personal struggle resonated not only with the show's participants but also with viewers who could relate to similar experiences.

The actress emphasized that maternal love develops differently for everyone, stating, 'Maternal love varies from person to person. For me, it grew as I raised my child.' This perspective offers hope to mothers who might be struggling with similar feelings of inadequacy or disconnection from their children in the early stages of parenthood.

The Physical Toll of Emotional Suppression

Perhaps the most shocking revelation came when Park Ha-sun described the physical manifestation of her emotional distress. She recounted a specific incident where her husband mentioned going out to meet friends while she remained isolated at home, unable to maintain her own social connections due to childcare responsibilities.

'One night, when my husband said he was going out to meet friends, I couldn't meet anyone because of my situation, so tears just started flowing and I cried,' she explained. 'But when my husband looked at me and asked what was wrong, I noticed that all the blood vessels on my face had burst. I had been holding it in so much that my face was completely damaged.'

This powerful image of physical breakdown served as a wake-up call for her husband, who finally understood the severity of her condition. 'That's when my husband realized, Oh, she's really serious about this,' Park Ha-sun recalled. This moment highlights how postpartum depression often goes unrecognized until it reaches a crisis point, emphasizing the need for better awareness and support systems for new mothers in Korean society.

Breaking Down Misconceptions About Postpartum Depression

During the show, Park Ha-sun also addressed common misconceptions about postpartum depression, particularly the harmful belief that it can be overcome through willpower alone. The 'Gullible Couple's' husband had previously told his wife that her postpartum depression was due to weak mental strength and could be overcome through determination - a response that deeply hurt his wife.

Park Ha-sun firmly corrected this misconception, explaining, 'Husbands can't really empathize with postpartum depression because they've never given birth. It's all because of hormones.' She stressed that this is not a matter of mental weakness but a legitimate medical condition that requires understanding and support, not judgment.

'It's not something that can be overcome through willpower. It's all hormonal,' she emphasized. 'The husband really needs to be supportive during this time, otherwise, it's difficult to overcome.' Her words serve as an important educational moment for viewers, particularly male partners who might not fully understand the biological and psychological changes that occur after childbirth.

The Broader Context of Motherhood in Korean Society

Park Ha-sun's revelations shed light on the broader challenges faced by mothers in Korean society, where traditional expectations often place the primary burden of childcare on women. The cultural pressure to be a 'perfect mother' can be overwhelming, leading many women to suffer in silence when they struggle with maternal instincts or postpartum mental health issues.

The actress's advice to the struggling wife was both practical and compassionate: 'If you really hated the child, you would have left. But you're doing everything - feeding, caring. You just haven't had any time for yourself in 23 months of only looking after the child.' This observation highlights how societal expectations often prevent mothers from taking necessary breaks for their mental health.

Her message of hope was equally important: 'This is the most difficult time right now. If you wait a little, there will come a time when that child becomes a great source of strength.' This perspective offers reassurance to mothers going through similar struggles, reminding them that the intense difficulties of early motherhood are temporary and that the parent-child bond can grow stronger over time.

Impact on Korean Entertainment and Social Awareness

Park Ha-sun's openness about her mental health struggles represents a significant moment in Korean entertainment, where discussions about postpartum depression and maternal mental health have historically been taboo. Her willingness to share such personal experiences on national television helps normalize these conversations and encourages other mothers to seek help when needed.

The actress, who married fellow actor Ryu Soo-young in 2017 and gave birth to their daughter the same year, has continued to balance her acting career with motherhood. Her continued presence in the entertainment industry while openly discussing the challenges of parenting provides a positive role model for working mothers in Korea.

The response to her confession has been overwhelmingly positive, with many viewers praising her honesty and bravery. Social media platforms have been filled with messages of support and gratitude from mothers who felt less alone after hearing her story. This kind of celebrity advocacy plays a crucial role in changing societal attitudes toward mental health and motherhood in Korea.

Looking Forward: The Importance of Mental Health Support

Park Ha-sun's confession serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health support for new mothers. Her experience highlights the need for better education about postpartum depression, not just for mothers but also for their partners and families. The physical and emotional toll she described - from burst blood vessels to feelings of isolation - demonstrates how serious these conditions can become when left unaddressed.

The actress's journey from struggling with maternal instincts to finding her footing as a mother offers hope to others facing similar challenges. Her message that 'maternal love grows as you raise your child' provides reassurance that these feelings of disconnection or inadequacy are not permanent and that seeking help is not a sign of weakness.

As Korean society continues to evolve in its understanding of mental health, stories like Park Ha-sun's play a vital role in breaking down stigma and encouraging open dialogue. Her courage in sharing such personal struggles on a public platform contributes to a broader conversation about supporting mothers and families during one of life's most challenging transitions. The impact of her words extends far beyond the television screen, reaching mothers across Korea who may be silently struggling with similar issues and helping them realize they are not alone in their experiences.