Have you ever wondered what happens when a beloved actor faces one of Korea’s darkest crime stories on national TV? What if that actor is none other than Choi Tae-joon, the husband of superstar Park Shin-hye? And what if his emotions spill over so strongly that viewers are left shocked?
After nearly eight months away from broadcast television, Choi Tae-joon finally returns — but not through a drama or a variety show. Instead, he reappears on SBS’s hard-hitting program “Tail Biting Story (Kkokkomu),” in an episode that dives into one of the most infamous and chilling cases in Korea: the Gangnam Mansion Couple Murder Case of 1994.
About the SBS Program – Kkokkomu
SBS’s hit program “Tail Biting Story (Kkokkomu)” is well-known for uncovering shocking real-life crime cases and cultural events. The show recreates these stories in a way that feels both intense and emotional, while inviting celebrity guests to share their genuine reactions.
In this particular episode, the focus was on the Gangnam Mansion Couple Murder Case (1994), one of the most infamous and disturbing crimes in Korea’s history. The guest lineup featured:
- Apink’s Park Cho-rong
- Actor Choi Tae-joon
- Actor Park Ho-san
As the case details unfolded, each guest expressed shock, but it was Choi Tae-joon’s emotional reaction that truly stood out and quickly became the highlight of the broadcast.
The Case Highlighted – Park Han-sang Case (1994)
The episode of Kkokkomu took viewers back to one of Korea’s most infamous crime stories— the Gangnam Mansion Couple Murder Case from 1994 (aka the Park Han-sang Case).
This brutal crime involved a wealthy couple who ran a successful herb medicine business. They were living in a sprawling 150-pyeong (approx. 490 square meters) mansion in Gangnam that was worth approximately 10 billion won at the time. Today, it is worth nearly 30 billion won, which speaks to how high-profile these victims were.
What made this case infamous, is that it was not a crime of passion or anger, but a setup murder done by their own son, Park Chan-sang. For the nature of the crime and its shocking brutality, it was dubbed the first “deliberate heinous crime planned in advance,” by media in Korea.
The after-effects of this case were also impactful. It led to the “no inheritance campaign” in Korea to block anyone who murdered their parents or family can inherit wealth or property.
Why This Appearance Matters
Not only was this episode of Kkokkomu not simply a guest appearance — this was Choi Tae-joon’s return to broadcast TV since KBS’s “Iron Family” wrapped up in January. For fans of Choi Tae-joon, it was kind of a big deal that he made it back to broadcast TV after an eight-month gap.
What further makes Kkokkomu’s episode with Choi Tae-joon special was that it was not a scripted drama or variety on which he appeared. This episode of Kkokkomu gave fans a glimpse of what his true reaction would be, in this case; the reactions to non-fiction, reality based TV, came through more emotionally than scripted drama.
To be clear, Choi Tae-joon already had obvious eyes on him based upon his marriage to top actress Park Shin-hye. The relationship in the tabloids has kept fans guessing, and even if Kkokkomu is a K-variety show having him react with raw and unfiltered expense on-screen only helped stir the hype.
Broadcast Information
Air Date: 21 August 2025 (Thursday)
Network, Channel: SBS
Broadcast Time: 10:20 PM (KST)
Viewers who tuned into the Kkokkomu episode got a treat. Not only did they get shocker of a story, the Gangnam Mansion Couple Murder Case, but they got to witness Choi Tae-joon’s rare and emotional return to broadcast TV.
Conclusion
While Choi Tae-joon’s return to television primarily as a show of up-to-date popularity for Kkokkomu, it will also be remembered for his sincere emotions greeting people through television in an extraordinary way. His explosive response to the Gangnam Mansion Couple Murder Case not only highlighted Choi Tae-joon, but also opened a window into how human an actor can be for an audience who only sees their scripted form.
This unlikely union of true crime in a spotlight of a celebrity, created a juxtaposition that will hopefully be beneficial to both, marrying shocking reality from our past and sentiment and earnestness in full emotion.
It has left fans wondering if we will get to see this emotional side of Choi Tae-joon in his next acting role?
