[Sports Chosun, Reporter Baek Ji-eun] Singer Kangnam and speed skater Lee Sang-hwa shared their marriage story.
On the September 3rd broadcast of tvN’s ‘You Quiz on the Block’, Kangnam and Lee Sang-hwa appeared as guests.
Kangnam and Lee Sang-hwa met on SBS’s ‘Law of the Jungle’ and got married in 2019. At the time, Kangnam was gaining popularity on variety shows, and Lee Sang-hwa, as a national speed skating representative, attracted significant attention by winning gold medals in the women’s 500m at both the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Kangnam recalled, “My mother thought we were very mismatched since Sang-hwa was a national representative while I seemed to be living carefree. She strongly opposed the marriage. She even took Sang-hwa aside and said, ‘You’re a national representative, why are you with someone like my son? There are better people out there.'”
Despite overcoming his mother’s opposition, the couple has now been happily married for seven years. Notably, Lee Sang-hwa supported Kangnam’s family when his father was diagnosed with liver cancer, covering the entire cost of surgery and proving to be a strong partner.
Kangnam expressed gratitude, saying, “When my father was suddenly diagnosed with liver cancer, Sang-hwa contacted him even more than I did and took care of his meals. She even paid for the treatment. Behind the scenes, she kept supporting him, making her feel like both a wife and a mother.”
Lee Sang-hwa shared that she traveled to Japan to visit her father-in-law, bringing vacuum-sealed Korean food for him because he liked Korean cuisine. She mentioned he’s now much healthier.
Kangnam, in return, filled a void in Lee Sang-hwa’s heart. She said, “After skating for 20 years, a sense of emptiness emerged in my life. Kangnam noticed and carefully planned trips for me, saying, ‘You have many days ahead, so enjoy life doing fun things.'”
Kangnam also revealed his dedication by learning sports massage to aid his wife, demonstrating his love and support.
Reporter Baek Ji-eun, [email protected]