Korean singer Lee Hyo-ri (이효리) recently erupted in anger after watching the dynamic of a "startup couple" on a television program. The male partner not only verbally abused his girlfriend but also made her work unpaid for an extended period, even pushing his own responsibilities onto her. Lee Hyo-ri was so incensed that she directly confronted him, stating, "You are committing verbal crimes, and you will face retribution for this."
The latest episode of JTBC's program “Love War,” which aired on the 7th, focused on a couple jointly running a company. Their intense conflict over company shares brought their underlying issues to the surface.
The female partner, with eight years of experience in the advertising agency industry, initially started the business alone. When the venture proved more successful than expected, she invited her then-boyfriend to join as a partner. They became co-founders, with him serving as CEO and her as a director.
However, most of the company's initial clients were those the female partner had personally acquired in the past, and she single-handedly established various internal systems. Furthermore, she managed nearly all aspects of the business, including employee management, work feedback, organizing advertiser restaurant photos, handling negative reviews, and banner design.
The female partner expressed her frustration, saying, "Without me, the company wouldn't be able to function at all." The male partner, however, retorted, "That's not true at all; I'm the one who dragged this company by its hair to where it is today." Even more shockingly, he later began delegating his own tasks to his girlfriend. He asserted, "I tell her to prepare proposals and quotes. Isn't that what sales should do? Yes, but if the CEO tells you to do it, you have to do it."
The male partner's unyielding attitude stunned everyone present, especially when he declared, "I am 100% right. I have never said anything wrong. Everything I say is 100% correct. I am a moral textbook." Even guest Seo Jang-hoon (서장훈), who initially sided with the male partner, showed a surprised expression.
The show further revealed that the female partner had not been receiving a salary. The male partner's explanation was, "This is also for my girlfriend's better development." The MCs immediately countered, "By what right do you make decisions for her?" Lee Hyo-ri couldn't help but add, "I truly hope Ha-jin (the female partner) can wake up," her voice filled with exasperation.
Adding to the revelations, before starting the company, the male partner had invested tens of millions of Korean Won of his own money, combined with 4 million Korean Won from the female partner, into cryptocurrency, only to lose it all. Yet, he casually stated, "That was my personal mistake; I don't consider it a company mistake." This statement once again left everyone in shock, with Lee Hyo-ri and Seo Jang-hoon directly calling it "very dangerous."
What truly infuriated Lee Hyo-ri was the male partner's continuous use of demeaning language and profanity towards his girlfriend, beyond mere indifference. Lee Hyo-ri immediately lashed out at him, saying, "You are committing verbal crimes. You will pay for your sins later!" The female partner, with tears in her eyes, revealed that her boyfriend's usual behavior was even worse than what was shown on TV. "He's already holding back ten times more than usual today because the cameras are here; he's restraining himself."
She further tearfully recounted how she had tried to break up with him due to his abuse, only for him to become even more verbally aggressive. When she again said, "Let's break up," her boyfriend yelled "Get out" and kicked her out of their home. At this moment, the male partner actually laughed. Witnessing this, Lee Hyo-ri's emotions exploded, and she directly shouted at him, "You can still laugh right now?"
She then turned to the female partner, expressing her heartfelt concern: "I think you are the saddest one. Don't you want to save yourself from this dangerous situation? There is only one you in this world; aren't you the most precious person? Why do you let yourself hear such things?"
Lee Hyo-ri's words instantly created a somber atmosphere, and the female partner's plight drew significant attention from viewers and netizens alike.
