Comedian Lee Sun-min's comments about his ideal wife and views on marriage have sparked controversy in some online communities.
On August 28, a women-dominated online community revisited Lee's remarks made during his appearance on the YouTube content 'Yeouido Working Mom Club.'
During the show, Lee discussed his ideal woman, referencing his sisters. He stated, "Seeing my sisters who juggle parenting, factory work, and part-time jobs, I thought it would be great to have a woman like that. If parenting is required, I would dedicate myself to it. I actually think it's a good thing."
In response, fellow comedian Kwak Beom expressed concern, saying, "A woman who is family-oriented, manages her own work, earns money outside, and handles everything at home..." to which Sam Hammington reacted, "Oh, that's too greedy."
Lee then elaborated on his sisters, saying, "My third and second sisters raised two children while also working part-time and in factories to contribute financially..." This prompted Kwak Beom to joke, "Now I understand why you broke up."
Later, Lee remarked, "It doesn't matter if she doesn't earn money, but I find it attractive when someone is trying hard to live," to which Song Ha-bin asked, "Is willpower important?" Lee confirmed, saying, "Willpower." Kwak Beom reiterated his earlier point about Lee's sisters, saying, "What shocked me the most was that whether they work or not, my sisters are raising two kids while working in factories..."
Lee gestured to the production team, seemingly asking them to edit that part out. He then commented, "I guess that's what happens when you become a mother. There's a saying about the strength of a head of the family," to which Kwak Beom countered, "Not all mothers are like that," and Lee agreed, saying, "That's true. Not all mothers are like that."
However, Lee added, "But they must invest all that affection in their children," prompting Song Ha-bin to respond, "Wow, are you imposing maternal love?"
Sleepy also chimed in, saying, "If I call my aunt, it would be a disaster. If my mother-in-law comes to take care of the baby, it would be a big deal."
The conversation then shifted to ancestral rites and holidays. Lee explained, "Ancestral rites are a Korean tradition..." and noted, "Chuseok has actually been gone for a few years, but we still perform rites during Seollal." He then questioned, "But is that wrong of me?"
As the video circulated, criticism of Lee's comments intensified in women's online communities.
Netizens reacted, saying, "Typically, when people see their family struggling, they don't wish for their wives to live the same way; they think, 'I don't want my wife to suffer,'" and "It feels strange to look for a family member willing to sacrifice for the family. I wonder if he does the same amount of work." Others commented, "My mother did it, and my sister did it, so I guess that's all he learned."
Negative reactions also flooded the YouTube comments section.
Users wrote, "Hasn't he ever felt sorry for his hardworking sisters?" and "Just hearing that his sisters raise two kids while working in factories is heartbreaking; I can't understand how he thinks his wife should be like that." Some remarked, "Isn't that asking for someone to sacrifice themselves?" and "It's like he's planning his own wedding funeral."
Some pointed out that Lee's comments reflect traditional gender roles that demand women to simultaneously manage work, parenting, and household chores.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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