Once Rivaled Song Hye-kyo: 90s Top Actress’s Quiet Life After Two Divorces and Hiatus
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Chae Rim was one of the most beloved actresses in South Korea, sharing the spotlight with Song Hye-kyo during their peak. With iconic roles in dramas such as “I’m Still Loving You,” “All About Eve,” and “Four Sisters,” she captured the hearts of viewers across Asia.
Born in 1979, Chae Rim made her entertainment debut in 1994 after winning first place in the Miss Haitai contest. Her fresh image and tomboyish short haircut set her apart, helping her land breakout roles in KAIST, “The Song of Hope,” and the sitcom “Jump.”
Her stardom skyrocketed in 1999 with the drama I’m Still Loving You, and from the late ’90s to early 2000s, she appeared in numerous hit series, establishing herself as a top-tier actress.
In 2003, Chae Rim tied the knot with singer Lee Seung-hwan after dating since 2001. However, their marriage ended in divorce less than three years later. Afterward, she shifted her focus to the Chinese entertainment market, where she found both professional success and her second love.
While filming the Chinese drama The Lee Family (tentative title), she met former track athlete-turned-actor Jiame Gao, and the two got married in 2014. They welcomed a son, Park Min-woo, in 2017. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in 2020, and Chae Rim has since been living in Korea.
She made a rare public appearance in 2021 on the JTBC program Brave Solo Parenting: I Raise, appearing with her son. In a heartfelt moment, she revealed, “Min-woo has no memory of his father. I explained to him who his dad is when he turned three.” The episode drew a wave of sympathy from viewers.
Chae Rim has since embraced a quieter, slower life. Through social media, she occasionally shares glimpses of her life in Jeju Island. “I live in a countryside village,” she wrote in one post, adding that she enjoys picking tangerines straight from the tree in her yard.
She has also ventured into business, launching a cosmetics brand and modeling for it herself. While she’s taken a step back from acting, her natural beauty and calm lifestyle have drawn admiration from fans.
Many still hope to see her return to the screen someday but for now, it appears she’s enjoying a peaceful life, raising her son and adapting to a new chapter with grace and strength.
