Ham Ik Byeong: "President? Minister? I envy Esther Lyuh's husband most"

Doctor Ham Ik Byeong expressed unexpected "envy" toward Hye-Gul Hong, the husband of Esther Lyuh. Having known Lyuh since his 30s, he joked to Hong that he is "very lucky," naming him the person he envies most among men of their age. The scene turned into a sea of laughter due to Ham's blunt remarks, stating he is envious simply because Hong is Lyuh's husband.

On the 25th, a video titled "Human Drama, My Wife's Male Friend" was released on Lyuh's YouTube channel, Esther TV. During the video, Lyuh introduced Ham as a long-time male friend she has known since her 30s, and the two shared honest memories of their first meeting.

When Lyuh asked what her first impression was, Ham replied, "I don't remember well." However, he immediately brought up Hong. He said, "Hye-Gul Hong is very lucky. He has solid insurance," and when Lyuh asked, "Since you mentioned insurance, are you talking about me making money?" Ham continued his characteristic unrestrained way of speaking, even bringing up the social image of female doctors at that time.

Explaining why he envied Hong, Ham said of Lyuh, "I wondered how he found such a graceful, feminine, and charming woman." He added, "I thought it would be so nice if he could just do whatever he wants while she provides all the economic power." Moving beyond simple compliments on her appearance, he used Lyuh's economic capability as a subject for his joke.

Hong did not stay silent after hearing this. He retorted, "No, this is a real betrayal. Is that how you thought of me?" while jokingly adding, "I was doing quite well back then, too." As the couple's characteristic playful back-and-forth banter was joined by Ham, it showed that the relationship between the three is a long-standing bond that goes beyond mere friendship for broadcasting.

Ham delivered a final decisive blow. He asked rhetorically, "Ask the people of the world. Who is the most enviable person among our age group?" before saying, "Would it be the President? Would it be a Minister? It's Esther Lyuh's husband." Through this exaggerated joke, suggesting that Hong's life with Lyuh is more enviable than political status or social honor, he paradoxically highlighted Lyuh's strong presence.

Lyuh married Hong, a former medical journalist, in 1994, and they have two sons. Both have made names for themselves by moving between medicine and broadcasting, and Lyuh is currently active as a health functional food entrepreneur. As her business achievements, such as recording billions of won in sales in a short period during China live commerce, became known, her economic success has also been a consistent topic of conversation. Ultimately, Ham's remark, "I envy Hye-Gul Hong more than the President," served as a moment that simultaneously showcased the long-standing friendship between the three and Lyuh's extraordinary presence, even while sounding like a simple joke.