Controversy Surrounds Lee Sang-min's Divorce Remarks on TV Show

Reporter Jung Se-yoon from TenAsia delves into intriguing broadcasting issues with a unique perspective, making them easy to read.

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TV personality Lee Sang-min has sparked controversy by mentioning 'divorce' just five months after his remarriage, causing viewers to frown. Contrary to his previously emphasized image as a loving husband, his seemingly casual attitude towards divorce has fueled the debate.

On the SBS variety show 'Dolsing Fourmen' aired on the 2nd, Cha Tae-hyun asked Lee Sang-min, "Can you join 'Dolsing Fourmen' without getting divorced? Doesn't it take a long time to get divorced and join?" Lee responded, "I asked when registering the marriage. They said the divorce process ends as soon as you file." When Kim Jun-ho expressed surprise, asking why he would ask such a question while registering the marriage, Lee simply replied, "I just asked."

This isn't the first time Lee Sang-min's marriage and divorce have been a topic of controversy. In July, the SBS show 'My Little Old Boy' promoted an episode by stating, 'Lee Sang-min met a divorce lawyer just three months after remarrying.' Last month, 'Dolsing Fourmen' also drew attention when Tak Jae-hoon indirectly mentioned Lee's ex-wife.

Lee Sang-min married singer Lee Hye-young in 2004 but divorced after a year. In April this year, he legally married a businesswoman 10 years his junior. He decided to marry after just three months of dating, skipping the wedding ceremony because his wife dislikes formalities.

Now six months into his remarriage, keywords like 'divorce lawyer,' 'ex-wife,' and 'divorce' continue to circulate on TV. Some viewers have reacted by saying, "Is marriage a joke?", "Even if it's for a show, it's careless," and "It's uncomfortable to watch." Given Lee's previous statements on various shows about his wife's supportive actions and his thoughts on having children, his divorce remarks seem even more out of place.

Cultural critic Ha Jae-geun commented, "In general, society considers it taboo to mention divorce to someone who has recently married. Due to this public sentiment, Lee Sang-min's mention of divorce on the show is unlikely to be received positively by viewers."

Ha further noted, "From Lee Sang-min and the production team's perspective, bringing up 'divorce after remarriage' might seem like a humorous element. However, using divorce as a variety show topic is a careless act. The public is more likely to feel discomfort than amusement. There's no need to deliberately cause discomfort to viewers, so restraint is necessary."

Marriage and divorce are significant issues directly tied to personal lives. Yet, repeatedly using them as variety show material is not something to be taken lightly. The criticism that "it's time to stop" regarding Lee Sang-min's divorce remarks is gaining traction.

Reporter Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr