Shim Hyung-tak Gets Real on Radio Star About His Legendary Father-in-Law
On episode 930 of MBC’s ‘Radio Star’, actor Shim Hyung-tak gave viewers a rare peek into his new family life in Japan—and it’s straight out of a J-drama-meets-K-drama crossover.
Shim, who married 17-years-younger Japanese wife Saya in 2023, shared the fascinating backstory of his in-laws. When asked whether his father-in-law was a local VIP, Shim quipped, “He’s not just any local VIP. He’s famous in Yamanashi!”
Noodles, Mt. Fuji, and Four Generations of Tradition
Turns out, Saya’s family has been running a traditional noodle factory in Yamanashi for four generations—spanning 120 years. The specialty? A hearty, flat noodle called houtou, made using spring water straight from Mt. Fuji. Talk about heritage cooking.
“It all began when an ancestor married into a family selling Mt. Fuji spring water,” Shim explained. “Now, all the local politicians are basically besties with my father-in-law.”
Fellow guest and comedian Kim Gu-ra reacted, “She has such a reliable family!” before cheekily adding, “Is there a son? Who’s inheriting all that?”
“I’m Not the Heir—But Nice Try!”
The actor playfully revealed that his father-in-law has a teenage son—aka Shim’s brother-in-law—who’s likely next in line to take the reins. “On-air, my father-in-law joked that I’m the fifth-generation successor,” Shim chuckled. “Nope. Not happening. I’ll stick to acting.”
Shim emphasized, “It’s not a noodle shop, it’s a noodle factory. The machinery is so old, only my father-in-law knows how to fix it. That’s been passed down, not the recipes.”
Marrying Into a Manga Plotline
Shim and Saya first met while he was filming in Japan. She works for a major Japanese toy company, and their whirlwind romance quickly became a fan favorite story—especially when it was revealed that Saya’s father is just ten years older than Shim, and her mom is only five years older. Cue the rom-com punchline!
While Shim Hyung-tak may not be rolling up his sleeves in a noodle factory anytime soon, he’s clearly charmed by his in-laws’ legacy—and fans are eating it up.
