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Actress Shim Eun-ha made a rare appearance—albeit via voice—on television for the first time in nearly 20 years, sending a congratulatory message to comedian Shim Hyun-seop for his wedding.

The May 19 episode of TV Chosun’s variety show Lovers of Joseon featured footage from the recent wedding of Shim Hyun-seop and Jung Young-rim. A surprise phone call between Shim Hyun-seop and Shim Eun-ha was aired during the broadcast, marking her first appearance on TV since 2005, even if only through her voice.

The call took place a week before the wedding. As the 26th-generation descendant of the Cheongsong Shim clan, Shim Eun-ha congratulated 24th-generation member Shim Hyun-seop, saying, “Congratulations. I’ve heard your bride-to-be is a wonderful person.”

She added, “I haven’t watched much TV, so I didn’t know about the wedding. I’m so happy for you,” and suggested, “Let’s have a meal together after the ceremony.” Shim Hyun-seop responded, “I’ll be sure to visit you and say hello in person.”

A congratulatory flower arrangement sent by Shim Eun-ha and her husband, former lawmaker Ji Sang-wook, was also shown during the episode.

Shim Eun-ha debuted in 1993 through MBC’s 22nd open talent recruitment and rose to fame as a 1990s top star with lead roles in dramas such as The Last Match, Trap of Youth, and films like Art Museum by the Zoo. She retired from acting in 2001 after her final film Interview and later married Ji Sang-wook in 2005. She occasionally appeared in public supporting her husband’s political career.

In 2022, there were rumors about her return to the entertainment industry, but her agency denied them as unfounded.