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The second-place finisher at Miss Korea 1989, Go Hyun Jung, experienced a resurgence in popularity after her separation from Chung Yong Jin, the head of Shinsegae, due to her acclaimed performances in the television series “Queen Seondeok” and “Mask Girl.”

Second-place finisher of Miss Korea 1989 and actress Go Hyun Jung. Image taken from Go’s Instagram account.

According to The Korea Times, 54-year-old Go became well-known due to her role in the 1995 drama “Sandglass.” In the same year, at the height of her career, she decided to leave acting after getting married to Chung, 57. However,the couple divorcedIn 2003, they had a son and a daughter together. Chung married again in 2011.

In 2005, Go made a return to acting through the drama “A Spring Day” and kept exploring a diverse range of roles. TheChosun Ilboreported that aiming to reshape her public persona, she moved towards independent films, willing to take lower pay to appear in art house movies like “Woman on the Beach” and “Like You Know It All” directed by renowned filmmaker Hong Sang Soo.

Go’s significant breakthrough occurred in 2009 with the historical drama “Queen Seondeok.” The series recorded ratings exceeding 40%, and Go’s portrayal received widespread praise, leading to a nomination for Best Actress in a Television Drama at the 2010 Baeksang Arts Awards. She also secured multiple awards for her role, such as the Best Actress award at the Korea Broadcasting Awards and the Best Performer in the TV Actress category at the Korea Producers & Directors’ (PD) Awards.

In 2010, Go became the highest-paid South Korean actress, reportedly earning 55 million won (US$39,500) per episode for the drama “Daemul,” which remained the top-rated show in its time slot for 11 straight weeks. Industry sources mentioned that with extra compensation for outdoor filming, Go received a total of 1.3 billion won for the series.

Throughout the years, Go has remained a prominent figure in successful productions including “Miss Go,” “The Queen’s Classroom,” “Dear My Friends,” and “Mask Girl.” Her role in “Mask Girl” garnered her nominations for Best Actress in a Series at the 2023 Grand Bell Awards and the 2024 Director’s Cut Awards.

Her ongoing drama “Queen Mantis,” based on the French show “La Mante,” is also drawing considerable attention, with theSouth China Morning Postcalling it one of the top K-dramas to view in September 2025.

Go has been candid about her private life, talking about her divorce and the difficulties it brought. In a 2010 interview withThe Chosun Daily, she contemplated her acting journey and her marriage, saying: “I feel as if I am back at my parents’ house when I act in soap operas and at my in-laws’ home when I act in films.”

“When it comes to films, the team is very friendly towards you, but they become ruthless when asking for something,” she added, sharing insights into her married life.

She also discussed the emotional impact of her unsuccessful marriage, linking it to the challenges that occur when “two distinct families come together as one.”

Ko and Chung initially crossed paths in New York by chance when Chung volunteered to assist Ko in locating her seat at a Broadway show at the Winter Garden Theater, as her English was not very good, according toKorea JoongAng DailyTheir wedding in May 1995 was one of the most discussed events in Korea during that period. Following their separation, Chung obtained custody of their two children.

Talking about her bond with her kids, Ko mentioned during an episode of the TV program “You Quiz on the Block” in November last year: “Since I haven’t been living with them, I’ve felt awkward and distant around them.”

I hadn’t understood how sorrowful it could be to not be close to them,” she said. “That emotion was extremely painful. It’s something that’s gone forever and can’t be replaced. I was deeply wounded by it.

In 2005, two years following their separation, local media reported thatShinsegaeissued an order prohibiting the display of any of Ko’s content, including her brand promotions, within its retail outlets.

Established in 1930, Shinsegae is among South Korea’s leading three department store chains, along with Lotte and Hyundai Department Store.

Forbesstates that Chung is the grandson of Lee Byung Chul, the founder of the Samsung Group, and the cousin of the chairman of Samsung ElectronicsJay Y. LeeA Brown University graduate, he was elevated from vice chairman to chairman of Shinsegae in 2024.

By September 14, Chung’s wealth is valued at $1.2 billion, placing him as the 29th wealthiest individual in South Korea.