“Park Bo-gum’s Mother” Oh Min-ae Reveals Why She Gave Up All Her Assets and Entered a Temple
“It was my dream to appear on Radio Star, and now that dream has come true,” shares actress Oh Min-ae, marking her first appearance on a variety talk show after 34 years in the entertainment industry.
The veteran actress, recently spotlighted for her role as Park Bo-gum’s mother in the popular drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, will feature in the May 7th broadcast of MBC’s Radio Star. The special episode celebrates Parents’ Day and includes guests Song Il-gook, Jung Si-ah, KCM and Oh Min-ae herself.
Oh Min-ae has garnered attention for playing memorable maternal roles, including Yang Gwan-sik’s mother in When Life Gives You Tangerines and Ha Do-young’s (played by Jung Sung-il) mother in The Glory. On Radio Star, she opens up about her extraordinary life story, sharing personal and professional experiences previously unknown to the public.
Starting her acting career at 27, Oh confesses she had never seen a play before deciding to become a stage actress. Originally planning a backpacking trip to India, she stumbled into theater through backstage work and found her calling. “It took me 10 years to find steady footing on the stage,” she recalls.
Despite dropping out of high school due to family issues, she pursued education later in life through the Korean GED, eventually completing degrees at Korea National Open University and graduate school. “An actor must keep learning until they die,” she emphasizes, showcasing her dedication to self-development.
Oh also revealed a touching and unexpected chapter of her life: after giving up all her possessions during a difficult period, she entered a temple to regain inner peace. Later, at the age of 42, she gave birth to her first child.
The episode also promises behind-the-scenes stories from her dramas and an unexpected “passionate dance” performance that even got singer KCM dancing, adding to her charm and unpredictability.
Catch Oh Min-ae’s inspiring and heartfelt story on Radio Star, airing Wednesday, May 7 at 10:30 p.m. KST.
