Actor Son Tae-young sparks debate after revealing she never hired a housekeeper in the US

Actor Son Tae-young has sparked an online debate after revealing she handled all household chores on her own without hiring a housekeeper during her years living in the United States.

A video titled "The tteokbokki recipe by Kwon Sang-woo that made Son Tae-young decide to get married — revealed for the first time" was posted Sunday on Son's YouTube channel, "Mrs. New Jersey Son Tae-young."

In the video, Son was asked whether households in New Jersey ever hire an ajumma, a term for a middle-aged woman who helps with housework. "I'm sure some do," she said. When asked whether she herself used one, she replied, "Right."

Asked whether she had ever hired a housekeeper, Son said, "Not once."

When the production crew asked whether she had done all the cleaning, laundry and meal preparation on her own, Son said she had also handled all the driving for her family. "I did it that way for six years," she said.

After the video was released, some online commenters pushed back. "Do you have to hire a housekeeper in the US? Why make it sound like a big deal?" wrote one user. Others echoed the sentiment: "Why bring it up like it's something special?" and "There are plenty of women in the US who work and run a household at the same time."

Others praised Son and expressed sympathy. "She was just answering a question — why criticize her for it?" one commenter wrote. "Isn't that impressive?" and "This is the real deal" were among the supportive responses. Some also sent words of encouragement, urging Son not to let the criticism bother her.