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Amid the Successive Tragedies in Han Sang-jin's Family
Having endured the loss of family members three times in just three years, how did Han Sang-jin withstand such profound sorrow?
His time did not collapse all at once but came in a way that fell apart one after another. In April 2023, he lost his second aunt, the legendary singer the late Hyun-mi; in April 2024, he mourned the passing of his father; and on April 28, 2026, he personally shared the heartbreaking news of his niece’s passing on social media, conveying the overwhelming pain with a simple phrase: “Please keep us in your prayers.”
The reason these successive blows strike even deeper is that before one farewell ends, another follows closely behind. In a situation where anyone could have broken down, Han Sang-jin did not exaggerate his emotions but left space in his heart through quiet mourning and a humble request. Though brief, his words carried both a determination to “endure” and a message urging others to “pray together.”
His attitude isn’t a grand tale of overcoming but rather a reflection of realistic endurance. Acknowledging sorrow instead of hiding it, sharing his heart with those close to him, and continuing with each day’s life—the strength in this approach may have been the crucial balance he held onto to prevent himself from falling apart amid deep loss.
Hansangjin and a New Home in Busan
Hansangjin, who has settled in Busan for five years, is not simply relocating his residence but choosing to shift the center of his life to the region. Stepping away from Seoul-centered activities, he has steadily made appearances based in Busan, creating his own answers to the question, "Why Busan?" So, what marks and special meanings have this couple left on the local community?
The most symbolic moment is his role as the Busan City Media Communication Ambassador. Rather than depicting Busan’s daily life and charm through an “outsider’s perspective,” he conveys the city’s image more familiarly with a “lived and known perspective.” Notably, in March 2026, he and his wife, Park Jeongeun, director of the BNK Sum Busan Bank basketball team, were appointed as Busan City ambassadors together, marking the first time a couple participated side by side in local promotion. It was a moment where local sports and the city brand connected like a single team.
Their significance goes beyond “famous people introducing Busan.” The Hansangjin couple has rooted themselves in the local community through working, living, and forming relationships in Busan, making the process itself a compelling demonstration of Busan as a new foundation. This stands out even more as an example of celebrities becoming settlers who breathe with the region, not mere visitors consuming the locale.
Hansangjin and His Role as Busan City Ambassadors: The Unique Sense of Mission Created by Their ‘Simultaneous Couple Appointment’
Having built his life in Busan for five years, Hansangjin is expanding his role as Busan’s media communication ambassador from simply ‘showcasing the city’s charms’ to ‘connecting people.’ Notably, in March 2026, he and his wife, Park Jeongeun, coach of the BNK Sum Busan Bank basketball team, made history as the city’s first couple to be appointed simultaneously as Busan city ambassadors. This symbolic act goes beyond mere celebrity promotion; it embodies representing and articulating the city through the eyes of a couple living together in Busan.
What makes their mission special lies in their approach. Hansangjin brings strengths in broadcasting and public communication, while Coach Park wields influence grounded in the sports scene and local fandom. Together, they naturally broaden the touchpoints for spreading awareness about Busan. With culture, content, sports, and community each telling Busan’s story through different channels, the city’s image is poised to be conveyed in a richer, more multidimensional way—no longer just a single image but ‘Busan in everyday life.’
Moreover, Hansangjin’s role as the main MC in the upcoming Busan-produced talk variety show ‘I Know Because I’ve Tried’ aligns closely with his ambassador duties. By tackling realistic topics like entrepreneurship, marriage, employment, and living in Busan, this approach shifts city promotion from ‘tourist information’ to ‘the story of living in the city,’ transforming the ambassador’s role from campaign figurehead to a grounded communicator embedded in daily life.
Above all, their simultaneous appointment carries with it a profound responsibility—beyond being ‘faces representing Busan,’ they must continuously prove Busan’s value through their individual roles. For this reason, their ambassador activities are expected to focus less on flashy events and more on delivering ongoing messages that make Busan feel closer and more trustworthy as a city.
The Birth of the Talk Variety Show ‘I Know Because I’ve Tried’ with Han Sang-jin
What kind of empathy and change will the warm stories delivered by ‘I Know Because I’ve Tried,’ a program created in collaboration with the Busan Metropolitan City, inspire? This question goes beyond mere anticipation; it intimately connects with the time that Han Sang-jin has spent building his foundation in Busan. The show enters the everyday lives of citizens to share experiences based on “knowing firsthand because you’ve tried.”
‘I Know Because I’ve Tried’ tackles themes that everyone encounters at least once—such as starting a business, marriage, employment, and living in Busan. Rather than providing definitive answers, it brings to light people’s trial and error and the reasons behind their choices, creating a talk variety show centered around shared conversation. With Han Sang-jin as the main MC steering the atmosphere, the core strength lies in crafting a rhythm of empathy that goes beyond mere information delivery.
What makes this project especially significant is its production in partnership with Busan Metropolitan City. It goes beyond merely ‘promoting’ local life; it weaves the emotions and concerns of those living in Busan into the content, aiming to transform the city’s perception and the way its residents feel about it. The format, releasing a total of three episodes every Friday, makes it easy to follow without pressure while allowing viewers to deeply reflect on each topic.
Ultimately, the reason ‘I Know Because I’ve Tried’ gathers such expectation is not due to lofty messages but because it reassures us—based on real experiences—that “I’m not the only one going through this.” It’s worth watching how far this empathy spreads through Han Sang-jin’s hosting and how it will warmly reshape the image of Busan as a city.
Sangjin Han, The Power of Positivity Rising Above Adversity
Even as one tragedy after another struck his family, Sangjin Han chose not to stop but to protect his daily life with the attitude of “doing what I can today.” His post, in which he personally shared the news of his nephew’s passing and asked for prayers, was not a cover-up to hide sorrow but a heartfelt honesty that shared his emotions as they were. Perhaps that’s why more people received his news not as “someone else’s story” but as “comfort offered together.”
What stands out most is how he continues his activities centered in Busan even through the time of loss. His roles as Busan’s public ambassador and participation in talk variety shows that create empathy with citizens are more than mere schedule commitments—they seem like ways to rebuild life itself. His experience shows that pain doesn’t bring life to a halt; rather, one can find a new breath within people, the city, and the community.
Ultimately, the core message Sangjin Han conveys to the public is clear: grief is inevitable, but one’s attitude toward that grief is a choice. And that choice doesn’t come from grand resolutions but begins with the small act of living today’s life honestly.
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