[Sports Chosun Online Reporter Lee Ge-eun] Suspicions of jealousy, marital rape… Broadcasters Choi Dong-seok and Park Ji-yoon have opened up about their private lives, initiating yet another divorce battle. One can’t help but wonder if they think about their children at all. With all the TMI being disclosed, it’s causing tremendous fatigue once again.
On the 17th, “Dispatch” released conversations between Choi Dong-seok and Park Ji-yoon, who have been experiencing severe conflicts. It was revealed that the couple had been having serious disputes over financial issues, emotional affairs, personality differences, and child-rearing methods. The public’s interest was particularly piqued because the couple had recently filed a cross-suit regarding infidelity.
Choi Dong-seok doubted Park Ji-yoon for having coffee with a male colleague and accepting a ride from a male junior, accusing her of having an emotional affair. He even misunderstood a male celebrity who once appeared on a program with Park Ji-yoon and sent her a holiday greeting, mistakenly branding him as a “host bar player.” Park Ji-yoon expressed her frustration by saying, “I called you a lunatic because of your jealousy,” to which Choi Dong-seok responded, “Jealousy or whatever, you definitely met other men,” refusing to drop his suspicions.
Meanwhile, on the 17th, the YouTube channel ‘Entertainment President Lee Jin-ho’ shed light on Park Ji-yoon’s trip to the United States with her male friend A. Park Ji-yoon stayed at A’s house for a night, and they watched an adult film together. A video even captured A wearing short shorts while moving around when Park Ji-yoon checked into a hotel later.
You might immediately think “affair” from this, but when A’s sexual orientation was revealed, the atmosphere took a slight turn. A has a different sexual orientation and even has a common-law partner. Choi Dong-seok was aware of this and knew about Park Ji-yoon’s meeting with A. Park Ji-yoon argued, “We are just friends of different genders. There’s no reason to apologize.”
On the other hand, some opinions pointed out, “Think about it differently. What if Choi Dong-seok spent a night with a female friend of different sexual orientation? Could you understand that?” implying that her actions unaffordable in a marriage, regardless of sexual orientation.
There was further debate among netizens when a conversation between Park Ji-yoon and a chef emerged, in which Chef C expressed feelings for her, and Park Ji-yoon didn’t seem to deter him. In 2016, when Chef C told Park Ji-yoon, “I don’t think I can see you today. Something came up, I’m bummed,” Park Ji-yoon replied, “Aw, too bad. I’m especially pretty today, haha.” To this, Chef C said, “Oh no. I’m already a fan. How can I feel this way about a married woman?” Park Ji-yoon replied, “Honestly, I wouldn’t feel at all uncomfortable seeing you, but my husband would be furious. They’d start some affair rumors. Just imagining it is funny.” Opinions are divided, with some saying Choi Dong-seok was too suspicious and others claiming Park Ji-yoon gave him reason to be.
The situation between the two has really escalated. Park Ji-yoon asked Choi Dong-seok, “What’s it when you tell a child that ‘your mom had affairs with other men’? Discipline? Parenting?” Choi Dong-seok claimed it was a “fact.” Park Ji-yoon retorted, “That’s violence. Emotional violence. Should I tell A everything? Your dad tried to rape me. He attempted marital rape.” To which Choi Dong-seok responded, “Why? That’s something that can happen between a married couple.” Park Ji-yoon exclaimed, “Even between couples, rape is still rape.”
Meanwhile, Choi Dong-seok and Park Ji-yoon, who both worked as KBS announcers and got married in 2009, had one son and one daughter, but divorced last October after 14 years of marriage. Amid ongoing divorce proceedings, they’ve been clashing over custody issues, and recently engaged in mutual lawsuits, causing shock.