'Winter Sonata' star Bae Yong-joon spotted on golf course in rare public appearance

Actor Bae Yong-joon, a prominent figure in the early Korean wave of entertainment, has been captured on a golf course in an infrequent public appearance more than ten years after largely retreating from the industry. Amateur golfer Kim Seo-ah shared a photograph of the two on social media on Friday, captioning it, "An enjoyable round of golf with actor Bae Yong-joon."

The image shows Bae smiling broadly and holding up a peace sign alongside the young golfer, who is dressed in a green top and white pants. Notably, Bae's gray hair is visible beneath his cap, a curious sight given his typically youthful appearance. Born in 1972, Kim is an emerging amateur golfer who has achieved notable results in amateur golf championships.

Since making a special appearance in the KBS drama Dream High in 2011, Bae has largely avoided the public eye, with occasional glimpses and photos posted online providing scant updates on his whereabouts. Bae's career soared to prominence following his breakout role in the 2002 drama Winter Sonata, making him one of the most recognizable faces of Korea's first generation of Korean wave stars, especially in Japan. He was married to actress Park Soo-jin.