Unveiling Hwanhee: 5 Surprising Family Moments from ‘Salim Man’ That Will Touch Your Heart

Hwanhee on Salim-nam / Photo: KBS2 capture

[Sports Today reporter Im Si-ryeong] Hwanhee of Fly to the Sky offered an unusually intimate glimpse into his private life on KBS2’s Housekeeping Men Season 2 (commonly known as Salim-nam) — his first time doing so since debuting.

On the night of the 21st, he appeared on the show and, after 28 years in the public eye, disclosed family details he had never shared before. Viewers saw him not as the polished vocalist fans know from the stage but as a sincere son.

Hwanhee said he chose to appear because his mother is quiet and reserved, and he wanted to spend more time with her. But the portrait of his mother that the production team presented differed from the image he had held for years.

His mother told the crew, \”I don’t show my true self to my son. We’ve never taken photos together or gone on trips. Now my son is my provider and my protector. He sends me a monthly allowance, and I always feel grateful and sorry.\” Seeing her speak so openly was a surprise to Hwanhee; he said he had never heard her say so much, and he reflected on the time they’d spent apart.

He went straight to her home, where her daily life felt both unfamiliar and fragile. The two initially struggled to find words, but when his mother asked him to sing a trot song, the awkwardness softened.

Over a simple home-cooked meal, she explained why she had not shared the same table with him for 10 years. \”As I grew older, I started dropping or spilling my food. I felt ashamed and didn’t want to show that to my son,\” she said. The conversation opened a path to mutual understanding: \”Don’t live so tightly anymore,\” they told each other, beginning to bridge the distance between them.

The episode also revealed Hwanhee’s birth story for the first time. Born prematurely and once told he might not survive, his mother never gave up and held him close. Hearing that account, Hwanhee finally grasped the depth of his mother’s long-hidden love.

Wanting to repay his mother’s quiet devotion, Hwanhee suggested that they live together. She declined firmly, saying she appreciated the offer but did not want to become a burden to him.

Professionally, Hwanhee is enjoying a resurgence. He earned the \”Trot Prince\” moniker after previously being known as the \”R&B Prince\” following his run on MBN’s singing program Hyun-yeok Gawang 2. After completing the 2025 national tour concerts \”Two Be Continued\” on the 24th and 25th of last month, he released today (the 22nd) a remake of Patti Kim’s classic \”Love Is the Flower of Life,\” continuing an active slate of projects.

Meanwhile, Salim-nam, featuring Hwanhee, airs every Saturday at 9:20 p.m. on KBS2.

[Sports Today reporter Im Si-ryeong ent@stoo.com]
「Your closest, most entertaining news ⓒ Sports Today」