South Korean 'OST Queen' Baek Ji-young (백지영) married actor Jung Suk-won (정석원), who is nine years her junior, in 2013. The couple, who now have a nine-year-old daughter, faced considerable skepticism at the time due to their age gap and the perception of her being the stronger partner. Despite initial opposition, they chose to marry. However, Jung Suk-won became a focal point of public scrutiny in 2018 when he was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, on drug-related charges. Baek Ji-young remained steadfastly by her husband's side, and they navigated the difficult period together.
Recently, Baek Ji-young appeared on her YouTube channel to discuss marriage with veteran actress Sunwoo Yong-nyeo (선우용녀). During the conversation, Baek Ji-young for the first time shared her reasons for not divorcing her husband, explaining that her decision wasn't based on unconditional forgiveness but on her understanding of him, which led her to offer support during that critical time.
A new video released on Baek Ji-young's YouTube channel on October 31 featured Sunwoo Yong-nyeo as a guest, where they discussed marriage and how couples navigate their relationships. Sunwoo Yong-nyeo emphasized that spouses must move in the same direction. While initial disagreements are common, she noted that couples gradually adapt after marriage. She also shared insights from her own 50-year marriage, jokingly recalling her husband's stubborn personality and how she would quickly prepare meals whenever he called for food. She added that because it was done out of love, she never found it bothersome.
After hearing Sunwoo Yong-nyeo's reflections, Baek Ji-young curiously asked, "How important is physical appearance when a couple lives together?" Sunwoo Yong-nyeo responded that appearance often reflects a person's inner self, and one can tell if someone is truly in love by looking into their eyes. She also quipped that some people, even if not exceptionally handsome, become more attractive over time due to their inner charm.
Baek Ji-young then recalled the early days of her own marriage, revealing that various issues accumulated over approximately three years before erupting all at once. Jung Suk-won also admitted that it was a period of significant confusion in his life, stating, "Through this person, I learned the joy of being loved and the happiness of giving love. I certainly caused a lot of trouble in the early stages of our marriage, which is why I can live well now."
Addressing public perceptions of their marriage, Baek Ji-young acknowledged that many believe she simply forgave and supported Jung Suk-won when he made mistakes, but she emphasized that the situation was not that simple. She stated, "Everyone always says I chose to forgive Suk-won when he did something wrong. If he were normally that kind of person, I would have walked away."
Baek Ji-young further explained that it was precisely because she understood Jung Suk-won's character that she felt she should stand by him and help him through the difficulties, even after he made a mistake. Her remarks have once again drawn attention to the couple's past marital challenges and how they have navigated their relationship over the years.
Jung Suk-won married Baek Ji-young in 2013 and was arrested in 2018 on suspicion of using methamphetamine. He was subsequently sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years. Baek Ji-young's recent discussion of her decision from that time offers a glimpse into the lesser-known aspects of their marriage.
