Singer Kim Jung-yeon Opens Up About Struggles After Marriage

Singer and broadcaster Kim Jung-yeon recently shared her struggles following her marriage.

On the September 9th episode of MBN's 'Special World,' Kim Jung-yeon's life story was unveiled. Known as the 'National Bus Guide,' Kim has spent 16 years riding rural buses across the country. She shyly admitted, 'I'm a woman in the Guinness Book of Records,' having set the record for the shortest time and most rides on city and county buses in South Korea. Kim continues to express her passion for hometown buses, saying, 'I'm still breaking my own records.'

Kim revealed that there are moments when her heart feels heavy while riding buses. She shared, 'When I meet elderly people who are around my late father's age, my heart aches even more.'

Kim currently lives with her husband, a performance planner, and their fifth-grade son. She stated, 'I'm 57 this year, and my son is 12. I had him at 46.'

Kim met her husband, who is nine years her senior, during her days as a reporter while covering a restaurant. She confessed, 'When I got married, I experienced the greatest hardship of my life. My husband, who is a great cook, and I opened a ginseng chicken soup restaurant, but we were hit by avian flu in the first year. We lost everything, had no home, and became credit delinquents because we couldn't pay off our credit card debt.'

She also cut ties with her parents, who opposed the marriage. Kim revealed, 'After getting married, I couldn't contact my parents. I lost about three years after cutting ties with my mom, but I reconnected with them after my son was born.'

The episode also showed Kim preparing for a filial piety festival at Yujeomsa Temple in Yangdong-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, thanks to her connection with Monk Susan, who has been a life mentor to her. The monk advised Kim, who was worried about having a child at an older age, 'This is a precious child. Don't worry about your age and have the baby.'

Kim's husband, Kim Jong-won, who is the chairman of the Korea Festival Culture Promotion Association, explained, 'With Chuseok approaching, we prepared a filial piety feast with songs for the elderly.' As a former restaurant owner, he used his culinary skills to personally prepare meals for the elderly, showcasing his exceptional support.

Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr