Former soccer player Kang Ji-yong expressed extreme pain, shedding tears amid economic difficulties and family conflicts.
On the 27th, in the JTBC program 'Divorce Reflection Camp', Kang Ji-yong and his wife Lee Da-eun appeared as the 9th couple in their third year of marriage. Kang Ji-yong, who used to earn an annual salary of 150 million won, is now working in a chemical manufacturing factory, living a realistic life.
He revealed, "I joined in 2009 and played for over 10 years. However, I met my wife during a time when I was contemplating retirement after knee surgery," sharing the story of their relationship. "When I found out my wife was pregnant, I had to face reality. I wanted to be a soccer coach, but I chose to work in a factory because I couldn't be away from my family," he confessed.
However, Kang Ji-yong's new life was not easy. In observation footage, his wife Lee Da-eun showed irritation over trivial matters and even removed the door lock batteries after a couple's fight. Kang Ji-yong admitted, "If she doesn't open the door for me, I can stay outside for as short as 3 days or as long as a week," revealing the harsh reality.
The biggest source of conflict was financial issues. When Kang Ji-yong said, "I feel like I'm going crazy because of money. I have a loan of 30 to 40 million won, but my wife keeps wanting to buy things for the baby," Lee Da-eun retorted, "Is it my fault that you have no money?"
Additionally, when Kang Ji-yong said, "I couldn't save money after quitting sports. I wanted to be a soccer coach, but didn't you say it was hard to take care of the baby?" Lee Da-eun coldly responded, "I'm struggling because of money."
Later, in an interview with the production team, Kang Ji-yong cried, saying, "My wife says, 'You have nowhere to go. How much money can you make?' and it pierces my heart." He continued, "My wish is to die in my sleep. Everything is ready in the car. I've even consulted a divorce lawyer, but I can't do it because of the child. However, my intention to divorce is 100%," he sobbed.
The conflicts and shocking confessions of the Kang Ji-yong and Lee Da-eun couple can be seen on JTBC's 'Divorce Reflection Camp.'
[Kim Seung-hye, MK Sports Reporter]
