'14-Hour Riding' Han Ga-in: "I Don't Catch Kids Like Catching Mice"

Recent YouTube Video Reveals a Packed Daily Schedule
"Filmed on a Day That Ended Especially Late," Explanation Given

Actress Han Ga-in clarified the negative reactions to her children's "14-hour academy riding" parenting by saying, "I don't hold my children tightly like catching mice."

On the 5th, Han Ga-in posted on her Instagram a photo of her son playing games at an arcade along with a post starting with, "I specifically filmed on a day that ended late for the YouTube full-day riding. I wrote this in the comments, but it seems some people didn't see it."

Actress Han Ga-in is personally driving to assist her children's transportation. [Image source: Screenshot from YouTube channel 'Jayubuin Han Ga-in']

Earlier, on the 3rd, Han Ga-in uploaded a video titled "Broadcast First! Actress Han Ga-in's Shocking 24-Hour Observation Camera (Crazy Schedule, Do Not Imitate)" on her YouTube channel 'Free Wife Han Ga-in.' In the video, she revealed a daily schedule centered around her children's education. According to her timetable, she wakes up at 6 a.m. and spends the whole day helping her children with their school commute and academy from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Netizens who saw this empathized, saying, "This is the daily life of mothers in South Korea," but there were also negative reactions such as "The schedule is too tight," "The educational zeal is excessive," and "It feels distant." In response, Han Ga-in explained, "The eldest child only comes home late on the days he goes to math academy (Originally, he attended during the daytime on Saturdays, but as he advanced a grade, the academy changed to an afternoon class this year. There's no choice but to attend this)." She added, "If we came home late every day, both the child and I would be too tired to do it. I don't unusually hold my children tightly like catching mice." She further stated, "Above all, I don't make them attend classes they don't want. Even if they don't go to school or academy, their happiness comes first."

Han Ga-in also said, "Not long ago, I told my eldest that if he wanted to quit school, he could, but he said, 'Mom, elementary school is compulsory education, so I can't!'" She added, "I personally take care of them to spend more time with my children even if it means reducing work, and I will continue to do so." She continued, "I live gratefully in an environment where this is possible. And except for Wednesdays, we all go to bed promptly at 9 p.m." Finally, she emphasized again, "I don't mind other articles about me, but I don't want sensational articles about my children. Please understand." She also said, "Yesterday, my son didn't want to go to kindergarten and wanted to play, so I went on an arcade date with him. We don't risk our lives over academics."

Han Ga-in married actor Yeon Jung-hoon in 2005. The couple had a daughter in 2016, 11 years after their marriage, and welcomed a son in 2019. Han Ga-in has revealed on broadcasts that her daughter, who attends an unaccredited international school, was judged to be in the top 1% of gifted students, and her kindergarten-aged son was also identified as gifted.