Yulhee, Hypersomnia Due to Postpartum Depression? “Emotional Changes with Every Pregnancy, Even Showering Was Hard”
On January 13, a video titled “A Fresh Change in 5 Years! Short-Cut!” was uploaded to the YouTube channel “Yulhee’s House”.
In the video, Yulhee visited a hair salon with the CEO, announcing “Today is the day for a haircut“, teasing her hairstyle transformation.
Running her fingers through her long hair, she joked “Goodbye, hair. You’ve endured so much over the years with such an inconsiderate and unkind owner” and smiled.
Yulhee personally took scissors to her hair, chopping off her long locks. Expressing mixed emotions, she said, “I cut it. There’s no turning back now.”
After starting her haircut, she sang H.O.T.’s “Candy”, likening her look to that of a first-generation idol.
As the transformation continued, she shared memories of her pregnancies, “It’s been five years since I last had short hair. I always went for a short cut during each pregnancy. It must have been due to emotional changes. Long hair felt burdensome, and even showering was difficult.“
After completing her short cut, Yulhee remarked, “I look like a handsome boy. But I think it suits me, and I look younger.“
The video also showcased Yulhee’s Christmas celebration with a longtime friend.
During their conversation, her friend commented on Yulhee’s sleeping habits, “You sleep so still that I sometimes check to see if you’re alive. It’s scary how quiet you are.” Yulhee laughed, admitting, “I fall asleep like turning off a switch.“
The friend also observed changes in Yulhee after her twin pregnancy, noting, “You became stronger during that time. I remember you saying, ‘Maybe it’s because I’m a mom now.’ You’ve grown tougher after facing so many challenges.” Yulhee agreed, adding, “I’ve learned to manage my emotions and empathize when needed.”
The conversation continued until 4 AM, with the friend praising Yulhee’s cheerful nature and simplicity, calling her “a genuinely bright and innocent person“.
Meanwhile, Yulhee and Choi Minhwan married in 2018 and had three children together. However, they divorced in 2023, with Choi Minhwan gaining custody of their children.
Yulhee revealed that her decision to divorce stemmed from Choi Minhwan’s personal issues, accusing him of visiting adult entertainment establishments and claiming he sexually harassed her in front of his parents. She also released recordings to support her allegations.
Amid the controversy, Choi Minhwan stepped down from KBS 2TV’s “The Return of Superman” and suspended his activities with F.T. Island.
Choi Minhwan, however, told Dispatch on January 13 that the primary reason for their divorce was Yulhee’s behavior. He alleged that her frequent absences and excessive sleeping habits—sometimes lasting 18~20 hours a day—strained their marriage. He stated, “Over five years, she left home more than 20 times. Who could endure that?“
Despite his claims, public opinion leaned toward Yulhee, with comments like, “Hypersomnia is a symptom of depression” and “Did he ever consider the struggles of postpartum depression and childcare?“