Shim Hyung-tak Reveals Family Trauma on 'The Return of Superman,' Finds New Life with Wife's Support

Popular supporting actor Shim Hyung-tak (심형탁), known for his roles in hit K-dramas like “Touch Your Heart,” “Welcome to Waikiki 2,” and “Melting Me Softly,” joined KBS 2TV’s popular reality parenting show “The Return of Superman” last year. Recently, he shared his personal family story on the program, emotionally revealing the immense pressure and disappointment he experienced from his family of origin. He explained that it wasn't until he met his wife, Saya Hirai (平井沙耶), and her parents that he truly understood the meaning of “family,” expressing gratitude for their long-standing love and support.

In the episode of KBS 2TV’s “The Return of Superman” aired on the 26th, Shim Hyung-tak and his son, Haru, accompanied Saya’s father and brother, who were visiting Korea, on a heartwarming tour of Seoul. Reflecting on his past family experiences, Shim confessed, “When I was suffering so much because of my family that I felt like I couldn’t go on, it was my wife who put an oxygen mask on me.”

Shim Hyung-tak also revealed that before his marriage, “family” felt more like a burden he had to carry. “I felt that family was a duty I had to protect, but I also had many doubts, which led to great disappointment,” he shared.

However, after meeting Saya and her family, his perspective on family gradually changed. Shim Hyung-tak expressed gratitude for the love he received from his in-laws, stating, “I feel that Saya’s father, mother, and Saya’s family have made the word ‘family’ the happiest word in the world. They have never asked anything of me, yet they have always given me love.”

He particularly highlighted his father-in-law’s care, emotionally sharing, “My father-in-law always says, ‘Hyung-tak, is there anything I can help you with? If I can help you, I will.’ ” Shim Hyung-tak said that although they are not blood relatives, he already considers his father-in-law true family. “I feel he is my family, someone I truly should take good care of and honor,” he expressed with deep gratitude.

To reciprocate the happiness these family members brought him, Shim Hyung-tak personally planned a “Shim Family Seoul Tour” for them. The family first visited a hanok photo studio to try on hanbok and take a three-generation family portrait. Next, they fulfilled his brother-in-law’s bucket list item by exercising with Haru and also granted his father-in-law’s wish to eat Korean pork belly. Finally, the family boarded a Han River cruise, admiring Seoul’s beautiful night scenery, bringing the memorable family trip to a close.

Towards the end of the trip, his father-in-law, using his still-unfamiliar but diligently prepared Korean, told his son-in-law, “Hyung-tak-kun, thank you for today.” Hearing these words, Shim Hyung-tak was deeply moved and immediately responded, “This is family.”

Speaking about his current family life, he became even more emotional, saying, “If there is the happiest person in this world, I think it must be me. Receiving love from my father-in-law, my wife, my mother-in-law, and our Haru, what could be happier than this?” Shim Hyung-tak concluded with a smile, “I am truly a wonderful person. I want to thank Saya and all my family; you are the ones who made me the wonderful person I am today.”

In the past, Shim Hyung-tak had candidly admitted on a show that his mother had auctioned off land in his name, borrowed large sums of money, and even made him a guarantor for debt. This led to him being unexpectedly embroiled in massive debt and fraud-related lawsuits, plunging his life into a severe financial crisis. Although the court ultimately ruled that Shim Hyung-tak was not liable for the related compensation, this family turmoil temporarily halted his acting career.

Shim Hyung-tak also revealed on the show that he had carried the pain of his family for many years. “I have many traumas; there were times I was so tormented by family hurt that I almost wanted to end it all,” he confessed. He even admitted that he was completely alone when he got married. “When I got married, I was by myself; not a single relative from my family attended.”

Now, accompanied by his wife, in-laws, and child, Shim Hyung-tak has rebuilt his own family, giving him a completely different understanding of what “family” means.