On the latest episode of SBS's variety show 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny,' Kim Da-young opened up about her decision to leave her job at SBS following her marriage to Bae Sung-jae.
The episode, aired on the 5th, showcased the newlywed life of the couple, who have a 14-year age difference.
Kim Da-young candidly shared her reasons for quitting, stating, "During our dating period, we couldn't spend much time together due to our different schedules and my husband's busy life. I felt that if we continued like this after marriage, we wouldn't be able to enjoy our newlywed life properly."
She added, "We met relatively late in life, and considering the limited time we have together, we thought we should spend more time with each other."
Bae Sung-jae fully supported his wife's decision, saying, "She worked hard for nearly a decade, starting from local broadcasting. I wanted her to have a break and thought she needed some time to relax."
Kim Da-young expressed her satisfaction with her life post-resignation, saying, "We've been able to go on many dates we couldn't before, and spending more time together has made me happy. I have no regrets about my decision."
However, the journey to marriage wasn't entirely smooth. Kim Da-young recounted, "The day we first talked about dating, it caused quite a stir at home. There were loud arguments, and my younger sibling was in tears because my fiancé was as old as a department head. It was shocking for them to hear that their sister was marrying someone much older."
Bae Sung-jae, upon learning about the initial opposition from Kim's family, said, "I thought they were supportive at first, but later found out that her father and brother were strongly against it."
Kim Da-young recalled, "I didn't want my husband to have to beg for approval, so I decided to handle it myself. I explained why I wanted to marry him and asked them to trust my decision. It was like giving a UN speech to persuade them."
After resolving the situation, Bae Sung-jae visited Kim's family. He shared, "It's a moment that all men fear. I had prepared many things to say, but when I met them, all I could say was 'I'm sorry.'"
Bae Sung-jae, who still uses formal language with his mother-in-law, explained, "There's a 14-year age gap between my wife and me, and only an 11-year gap with my mother-in-law. I would prefer if she spoke comfortably, but I understand it might be awkward, so I'm waiting until she feels comfortable."
Reported by Kim Eun-jung, TenAsia. eun@tenasia.co.kr