[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Former short track speed skater Kim Dong-sung clarified past controversies related to the Bad Fathers website and introduced his current girlfriend.
On the 1st, Kim Dong-sung and his girlfriend In Min-jung entered the remarriage house on TV Chosun's "We Got Divorced" ("Wooihon").
In the broadcast, Kim Dong-sung first had a pre-meeting with the production team.
Regarding his name being listed on the site "Bad Fathers," which exposes fathers who do not pay child support, Kim Dong-sung explained, "Originally, I earned 3 million won a month and continuously sent 2 million won as child support."
He added, "That amount was possible before COVID-19. Recently, I have been coaching elementary, middle, and high school students. I used to teach adults once or twice in the provinces. But due to COVID-19, the ice rink closed, and I couldn't work at all."
Kim Dong-sung also revealed that he is currently seeing someone. He said, "She is a friend who boosts my spirit, and my mother likes her too. We haven't registered our marriage yet, but once everything is settled, we will remarry."
Then, his girlfriend In Min-jung appeared. In Min-jung stated, "I have been divorced for a long time, so appearing on the show is not a problem. I divorced in 2014."
When Kim Dong-sung expressed concern, saying, "There must be people who dislike me, and I'm worried they might insult my girlfriend too," In Min-jung replied, "I'm not worried about myself, but I am concerned about the malicious comments towards you. I wanted to protect you because I was worried about how you seemed intimidated by the unintended situation and the surrounding gaze."
In the next scene, Kim Dong-sung's mother appeared. She said, "You did something without consulting your mother," and asked, "Have you settled the child support?"
Kim Dong-sung answered, "Since I get appearance fees from the show, I can use that for child support. That is one reason why I am doing the show. I think my top priority is to stabilize my position so I don't fall behind on child support anymore. Once they become adults, I don't have to pay child support, but I still need to prepare for their college tuition."
His mother said, "It was pitiful to see you living almost in hiding with Min-jung, not being able to be proud. It's a shame because it's okay if you appear alone on TV, but I wonder if Min-jung has to appear together."
Kim Dong-sung said, "Why would a problematic person like me appear on TV? Among the rumors people talk about, I want to say what is not true. I appeared courageously to speak honestly and sincerely through the show. My girlfriend said she would appear with me to help since I was given another chance to be on TV."
The cast in the studio admired, saying, "It's not an easy decision. Your girlfriend is amazing."
In the following scene, the couple Kim Dong-sung and In Min-jung entered the remarriage house and spent intimate time together.
In Min-jung said, "Sometimes I search your name on the internet to see if any bad articles have come out," and Kim Dong-sung replied, "I took down all my photos. Because of many incidents and accidents, I wanted people to forget me, so I removed all portal profile searches."
Kim Dong-sung said, "When you said you would do this (the show), I was puzzled and sorry."
In response, In Min-jung said, "People sent me many KakaoTalk messages telling me to be careful because they think he treats you lightly. This is the first time I'm telling you this. I told my friends everything. The person you know is the one you see in the news or newspapers, but I know the real Kim Dong-sung beside me, so I told them not to send more messages. I told them to see how I live with you."
She continued, "We knew each other briefly when we were young and met again later. When I saw you again, you were going through a hard time. I suddenly thought, 'Why does he have to be insulted?' When you didn't eat and stayed home all the time, I felt sorry and sympathetic," she said, tearing up.
Kim Dong-sung said, "If I asked for help when I was sinking in a swamp, how many friends would hold my hand? You were the one who grabbed my finger, which was barely visible, and pulled me out."
In Min-jung said, "I tried to lift you up, and it seems like you are standing up little by little. Every time you accomplish something, it felt good, and it still does. Of course, I have hard times too, but there are more good things."
While talking about rumors, In Min-jung suddenly laughed, saying, "Since you skate, your thighs must be 28 inches. I think that led to the image of you cheating. But if you know the truth... Ah, it's funny." Shin Dong-yup said, "You just revealed a secret," making everyone burst into laughter.
Their daily life was also revealed. Kim Dong-sung went to the ice rink early in the morning and started lessons from the morning. Later, he helped In Min-jung with her work. In Min-jung sells fruit online.
They then went on a supermarket date. People at the supermarket recognized Kim Dong-sung, saying, "Are you Kim Dong-sung?" and he was somewhat embarrassed.
Eventually, Kim Dong-sung and In Min-jung left the supermarket to avoid people's eyes. Kim Dong-sung confessed, "When someone recognizes me, I want to leave quickly. I don't want people to know that Min-jung, who came with me, is a woman. I know bad rumors spread, so I wanted to leave that place quickly." In Min-jung also said, "I was cautious because I was worried rumors would spread that he was with a woman. We often stayed apart."
Meanwhile, Kim Dong-sung married Ms. Oh in 2004 and had one son and one daughter. In 2015, after 11 years of marriage, he filed for divorce mediation but withdrew the lawsuit.
However, three years later in 2018, after 14 years of marriage, they finally divorced by agreement. Last year, Kim Dong-sung was embroiled in controversy when his name and personal information were exposed on the "Bad Fathers" site for not paying child support for his two children.
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