The Dark Side of Celebrity Home Reveal Shows: From Privacy Invasion to Theft
These home tours often garner public interest and affection, with fans charmed by the relatability or unexpected characteristics of their favorite stars. However, recent incidents have highlighted the serious risks associated with such exposure—ranging from privacy invasion to actual crimes like theft.
One of the most alarming recent cases involves comedian and TV personality Park Na-rae. After purchasing a luxurious detached house worth over 5.5 billion KRW in Itaewon, Seoul in 2021, she showcased it on MBC’s reality show “I Live Alone”. From the garden to the living room, every corner of her house was broadcast to the public.
However, what began as a celebratory moment of achieving homeownership turned into a nightmare. Park Na-rae later confessed on television that uninvited visitors frequently loitered outside her home, some waiting up to 10 hours with the express intent of meeting her. She even recounted how her mother had mistakenly opened the door to a stranger, thinking they were a friend.
On April 8, Park Na-rae canceled her scheduled appearance on a radio show after suffering from physical exhaustion and emotional distress. It was soon revealed that she had been the victim of a theft involving valuables worth tens of millions of KRW. A representative stated, “After much deliberation, we filed a report with the police about an hour ago. We hope the investigation will shed light on the incident.”
Park Na-rae’s case is far from isolated. Former announcer Kim Dae-ho, who also revealed his home on “I Live Alone”, later admitted on another program that he had to move due to unwanted visitors. “People came just to look at my house. Some even left bags at my gate after drinking. While I appreciate the interest, I knew it was time for change,” he said.
Han Hye-jin experienced similar issues at her 500-pyeong villa in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province. She confessed that unauthorized visitors became so frequent she had to install walls and gates for security. “Please, I beg you—don’t come. It’s scary,” she pleaded online.
Perhaps the most famous example is singer Lee Hyori and her husband Lee Sang-soon. In 2017, the couple opened their Jeju home to the public through JTBC’s “Hyori’s Homestay”. While the show was beloved, their home quickly became a tourist hotspot. Fans took photos of the house, rang the doorbell, peeked over walls and even asked to follow guests inside.
Lee Hyori once admitted in a magazine interview, “The aftermath of ‘Hyori’s Homestay’ has already started. People come from morning till night. But since we made the decision, we have to deal with the consequences.” Her husband elaborated on social media, “Strangers know our address and gather in front of the gate, take pictures and videos, look inside our home with selfie sticks and ask to enter when guests come over. We now have to check our CCTV before going out.”
The message is clear: being on TV doesn’t mean celebrities consent to having their privacy stripped away. In Park Na-rae’s case, this issue escalated beyond simple privacy invasion—it became a criminal matter involving theft. The very shows that were meant to humanize celebrities and entertain the public have created serious, even dangerous vulnerabilities.
As the risks of such programs become more evident, public sympathy is growing. “I always felt worried watching celebrities reveal their homes,” commented one netizen. Others noted, “Many of these cases go beyond simple fan affection—this is a clear invasion of privacy” and “Park Na-rae’s situation is terrifying. I hope she recovers both physically and emotionally.”
The dilemma of home reveal shows is intensifying. While they offer feel-good content to viewers, the potential cost for the stars involved can be unthinkably high.