Song Ji-eun tears up on TV, says she hopes to 'leave a footprint' in others' lives

Singer Song Ji-eun has drawn public attention after breaking down in tears on a television program, as her husband, YouTuber Park Wi, remains in a period of public contrition following controversy over a video he posted of a fall he suffered on a KTX train.

According to CBS, Song — known as a devout Christian — co-hosted the CBS TV program "Saereopge Hasoseo," a Christian talk show, alongside composer Joo Young-hoon and comedian Lee Jeong-su in an episode released Tuesday.

The episode featured deaconess Jin Seong-ae, who shared the story of losing her 17-year-old son. All three hosts were visibly moved throughout the broadcast, shedding tears at various points.

"It must have been so difficult to share something so painful, and I'm grateful you opened up your life for so many people," Song said. "We often call children 'angels,' don't we? It feels like an angel visited this family."

She then wept as she added, "I'm so grateful to be able to live with the hope that I, too, can leave a footprint — a fragrance of Jesus — in my family's life and in someone else's life."

The clip drew a divided response online. Some viewers left words of encouragement — "Stay strong, Ji-eun" and "We're rooting for you" — while others were more cynical, calling her appearance "fake" and saying it was "uncomfortable to watch."

The reaction reflects the lingering fallout from Park Wi's KTX controversy, which has dragged on for more than three weeks.

Last month, Park was injured in a fall while getting off a KTX train in his wheelchair. He later posted closed-circuit television footage on his YouTube channel showing a social service worker placing a foot on the ramp and tipping over his wheelchair. The post drew fierce criticism, with many accusing him of using his public platform to carry out a personal act of vigilante justice.

At the same time, some public opinion has pushed back against the sustained criticism, arguing that more than three weeks of backlash goes too far — particularly given that Park was in the middle of a grueling rehabilitation program and the fall may have set back his recovery in ways that are difficult to fully assess.

Song, a former member of the girl group Secret, married Park in October 2024. The couple had been serving as Seoul Metropolitan Government ambassadors and had appeared on various broadcasts and given public lectures, but following the controversy they stepped down from their ambassador roles and saw their speaking engagements dry up.