SEOUL — Actor couple Jin Tae-hyun and Park Si-eun are celebrating a remarkable achievement by their adopted daughter, Han Ji-hye, who secured 5th place in the marathon event at the 106th National Sports Festival.
Jin Tae-hyun took to his social media account on October 19th to share the joyous news and congratulate Han, who was competing as a representative for Gyeonggi Province. "Our Jihye is 5th again at the 106th National Sports Festival, following last year. Han Ji-hye of Gyeonggi-do, you are magnificent. You are cool. Let's gain more experience. This is just the beginning," he wrote, cheering on his daughter and wishing "Fighting for women's marathon in the Republic of Korea."
Prior to the competition in Busan, the proud father had expressed his deep respect for Jihye's hard work, stating, "The countless beads of sweat shed all summer are the result of sincerely dedicated training." He reflected on the time Jihye first expressed her wish to become a good adult like them, an aspiration that solidified their decision to become her family. Jin Tae-hyun emphasized their commitment to being the best possible adults for her, forming a bond that goes beyond blood.
The actor, a well-known running enthusiast himself, shared his regret that the race would not be televised live but rallied for public support. He passionately encouraged Jihye, saying, "Although ranking is not everything, for an athlete, scores and records can be everything," and expressed his fervent wish for her to experience "the reward of sweat that only athletes who run to the end and overcome their limits can enjoy." He added, "Though we are not her biological parents, as family who watches her training process and shares meals with her, we pray and cheer for her to complete the race well."
Jin Tae-hyun and Park Si-eun, who married in 2015, publicly adopted their first university-aged daughter, Park Davida, in 2019. This past January, the couple revealed they were embracing two more daughters, including Han Ji-hye, as family, though the legal adoption process for some is still pending due to various circumstances. The two additional daughters were introduced as an elite marathon runner for the Gyeonggi Provincial Office and a future nurse preparing in Jeju Island.
The couple is renowned in the entertainment industry as avid runners. Jin Tae-hyun's commitment to running even drew headlines earlier this year when, following surgery for thyroid cancer, he posted photos of himself training for a marathon with his wife, Park Si-eun, showcasing their shared passion and resilience. The strong support and love from her parents clearly fueled Han Ji-hye’s successful performance at the prestigious national event.
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