[Sportschosun Kim Sohee] Actress Park Jung-soo visited a mental health specialist and spoke candidly about her personality, loneliness in old age, and her thoughts on gray divorce.
On the 5th, a video titled "The Real Traits of People Who Lose Their Temper" was released on the YouTube channel "You Can't Stop Park Jung-soo."
That day, Park Jung-soo met with psychiatrist Lee Kwang-min and discussed her concerns about her quick temper, as well as her questions about loneliness that comes with aging and gray divorce.
Park Jung-soo opened up by saying, "I am usually calm. But I lose my temper even over small things."
She added, "The reason I came here was that I wanted to ask about myself too. People my age often retire from social life, and once they reach retirement age, their income and daily range of activity shrink. So I wanted to talk about 'loneliness in old age.' Also, there are people who live well for years and then say, 'I've lived long enough,' and get a gray divorce. I wanted to talk about that too."
In response, Lee emphasized the importance of mental health in old age. He said, "Depression in older adults can be a major risk factor for dementia." He added, "In some cases, depression can even appear like an early symptom of dementia. That is why, as people get older, it is good to have a primary doctor nearby who can regularly monitor their mental health."
After hearing this, Park asked, "I often argue at home. Do people who argue a lot feel less lonely?"
Lee explained that the prevalence of depression is relatively higher among women, but the risk can often be greater for men. Women are more likely to seek psychiatric help or express their emotions when they are struggling, while men often endure things alone without showing how they feel. Park then drew laughter by joking, "I don't think I'll ever get depression."
Park also expressed curiosity about gray divorce, which has been increasing in society recently.
Lee said, "As life expectancy rises, gray divorce is also on the rise." He explained, "Even after raising their children to independence, couples may still have 30 to 40 years left to live together, and a spouse's retirement can also change their financial and living conditions."
He then offered practical advice for couples considering gray divorce.
"There is something I really want couples to try before getting a gray divorce," he said. "Set aside time twice a week and do simple activities together. Even taking a walk around the neighborhood or going out for a meal is enough."
He added, "If you repeat those moments, you naturally start talking more, and shared experiences can help restore the relationship."
Meanwhile, Park Jung-soo married a businessman in 1975 and had two children, but the couple later divorced by mutual agreement. Since 2001, she has been in a common-law marriage with producer-director Jeong Eung-young, the father of actor Jung Kyung-ho.
This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.
