Lee Yo-won Gets Real About Marriage After 23 Years: “Honestly? I’ve Given Up on My Husband”
Lee Yo-won, beloved for her role in Queen Seondeok, surprised viewers with her unfiltered candor during a recent appearance on SBS’s “Dolsing Fourmen.” The April 8 episode marked her first-ever appearance on a talk show in her 27-year career, and she didn’t hold back, offering rare insight into both her private wedding and the realities of married life after 23 years.
A Wedding That Redefined Celebrity Privacy
Lee married her husband, a non-celebrity businessman and former pro golfer six years her senior, at the age of 23. At a time when celebrity weddings were public spectacles, Lee Yo-won made headlines by choosing an intensely private ceremony, a move that set a precedent in the early 2000s.
“I don’t usually pay attention to men’s looks, but my husband is handsome,” she said with a smile. She also shared how his no-nonsense dating philosophy and devotion to family won her over. “He told me, ‘I don’t maintain casual female friendships. If I’m not serious, I don’t date.’ That left an impression.”
Though the media was eager for coverage, the couple allowed only a brief photo session after their wedding. “We wanted to protect our normal life,” Lee explained. “Back then, privacy was rare for celebrities.”
The Reality of 23 Years Together
Now a mother of three, Lee’s revelations about married life were refreshingly honest, and at times, brutally funny. “Marriage is something you’ll regret whether you do it or not,” she admitted. “Honestly? I’ve given up on my husband these days.”
She described their current dynamic as one of companionship rather than romance, saying, “The romantic sparks faded long ago, we’re like comrades now.” She also addressed rumors about her husband being a chaebol heir, clarifying they were false.
Lee’s frankness shocked and delighted the cast, especially when she shared that she once considered leaving the marriage, though she didn’t elaborate further. The show’s single male hosts attempted to lighten the mood with a cheeky segment on “How to Flirt With Your Husband,” which left Lee laughing uncontrollably.
A Shift from Secrecy to Honesty
Lee Yo-won’s appearance resonated not just for its humor, but for how it reflects evolving norms in Korean celebrity culture. From once shielding her relationship from the public eye, she now speaks openly about the ups and downs of long-term marriage, something still relatively rare among Korean stars.
She even confessed to misunderstanding the nature of the program, “I didn’t know this was a talk show, I just thought the chaotic energy looked fun!” That unfiltered charm only added to her appeal.
From a pioneer of celebrity privacy to a voice of authenticity in modern relationships, Lee Yo-won’s journey mirrors society’s growing openness about the realities of love and marriage. Her candid confessions offer a refreshing take on what it means to stay committed, not just in public, but in the quiet, complex moments of everyday life.
