Lee Sung-min Shares Parenting Life with 22-Month-Old Son, Reflects on Past Struggles

Lee Sung-min (이성민), who debuted with Super Junior in 2005, quickly rose to fame. However, his 2014 marriage to musical actress Kim Sa-eun (김사은) sparked a massive public outcry, impacting his entertainment career. A decade later, in 2024, the couple finally welcomed their son, Do-yoon, officially becoming parents. Recently, Lee shared an update on his 22-month-old son, discussing their post-marriage parenting life and the practical division of childcare responsibilities with his wife, Kim Sa-eun.

In the KBS 1TV program “Hwang Shin-hye’s Let’s Live Together,” which aired on the 26th, Lee will share insights into his 12th year of marriage with Kim Sa-eun and their daily life raising their 22-month-old son. As their son is a precious gift after 10 years of marriage, parenting topics will naturally be a significant part of the show. Lee revealed that he is actively involved in childcare, taking care of their 22-month-old son alongside his wife.

Discussing the division of household chores, Lee admitted, “I’m not very good at housework, but men nowadays need to help out to earn their wives’ affection, so I’ve been doing a little bit recently.” As for how he helps with childcare, he chuckled, saying he handles feeding solid foods. If his wife prepares the ingredients, he takes care of the rest, describing himself as “more like an assistant.”

Host Hwang Shin-hye (황신혜) curiously asked how the couple divides parenting tasks. Lee replied, “There isn’t really a specific division of labor; we just act according to the situation and read the room.” He further explained, “For example, if we’re feeding solids and my wife asks me to prepare ingredients, I’ll do it.” Rather than pre-assigning tasks, the couple prefers to help each other out based on immediate needs.

During the program, Lee also personally showed off adorable photos of his son, unable to hide his beaming smile as a father. Upon seeing the child, Hwang Shin-hye couldn't help but exclaim, “He’s truly beautiful!” creating a warm atmosphere on set.

In fact, after his son's birth, Lee appeared on a special episode of “The Return of Superman” as a father, where he tearfully recounted the hardships he faced after marriage. He revealed that he was “forced to disappear for 10 years” due to various rumors and malicious comments, even becoming afraid to leave his home. Recalling the past, he broke down in tears, saying, “It was truly terrifying back then.”

Lee choked up, stating, “Later, the rumors became more and more outrageous, and the internet was filled with comments cursing me. Seeing those comments, I felt like everyone was scolding me, hating me, and making fun of me, so I didn’t dare to say anything and just hid at home. I couldn’t do anything but sing, but I felt like I no longer had a place, and that fear was truly suffocating.”

Lee also confessed that his decision to marry was driven by a desire to “protect the person I love,” but he never expected to be ostracized by public opinion and even fade from the entertainment industry as a result. He emotionally stated, “I just wanted to protect her, but it ended up with her having to support the family alone.” His wife, Kim Sa-eun, gently responded to her husband on the show, saying, “Actually, he had it harder than me. During that time, I also felt like I was a burden to him, and it really hurt my heart.”

Now, with the arrival of their son, the couple’s marriage, which has endured years of turmoil, enters a new chapter.