The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Tue, August 16, 2022 | 23:03
Theater & Others
Ailing novelist Lee Oi-soo and his wife back together after years apart
Posted : 2021-07-17 09:00
Updated : 2021-07-17 09:27
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Novelist Lee Oi-soo at a press conference in this 2014 file photo / Korea Times file
Novelist Lee Oi-soo at a press conference in this 2014 file photo / Korea Times file

By Kang Hyun-kyung


Novelist Lee Oi-soo's wife, Jeon Young-ja, visited her ailing husband in hospital to comfort him, confirming that they are back together, years after they separated.

In a video uploaded by their son, Han-eol, on Lee's social media account Wednesday, Jeon whispers to her husband who is fighting for his life since he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in March and underwent surgery ― he was then taken to an intensive care unit and has been there ever since.

"Honey, you and I are back together. We no longer live apart. We live together and will die together," she told her husband.

Without saying a word, Lee touches his wife's shoulder as a sign of agreement. Due to dysphagia, he is unable to speak, according to his son.

The video was uploaded months after Jeon made a tearful plea to Lee's loyal readers to say hello to her husband and comfort him on her social media account. She updated the status of her husband after the operation, saying he was unconscious and fighting for his life.

She wrote that she was ending her "jolhon" ― a Korean term literally meaning, "graduation from marriage," and referring to a separation ― which was a decision the couple made in 2019 upon the wife's request.

Back in 2019, Jeon had initially asked Lee to sign divorce papers, a request he rejected.

As she got older, Jeon stated she was tired of preparing food for the dozens of guests who visited their home every day to meet her husband.

Lee and Jeon got back together following the novelist undergoing surgery.



Emailhkang@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Hyundai Motor Group becomes world's No. 3 automaker in sales volume
  • Thinking the unthinkable on North Korea
  • 'Japan is our partner': Yoon vows to improve Seoul-Tokyo ties
  • 'Missing Here' song bridges Israel, Korea
  • Consumers angered by luxury fashion platforms' return policies
  • [Analysis] Yoon faces uphill battle to regain public trust
  • Life of early 'Koryoin' featured in exhibition
  • Western, traditional Korean medicine doctors clash over terminology
  • Customs agency considers taxing intermediaries for brokered overseas purchases
  • Will Hyundai Motor Group reorganize Mobis for governance reform?
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design
    • Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks
    • NewJeans sets record with debut album NewJeans sets record with debut album
    • 2PM's Lee Jun-ho proves versatility at 'Before Midnight' concert 2PM's Lee Jun-ho proves versatility at 'Before Midnight' concert
    • 'Confidential Assignment 2' has even more action, humor 'Confidential Assignment 2' has even more action, humor
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group