Lee Bong-won: From drinking 380 times a year to once a week after Park Mi-sun's cancer battle

Comedian Lee Bong-won revealed that his wife Park Mi-sun's battle with cancer prompted him to reflect on his life and their marriage. After more than 30 years of marriage, during which the couple lived by respecting each other's individual spheres, they confessed that passing through the unexpected event of a spouse's illness allowed them to reaffirm each other's presence.

Appearing on the YouTube channel 'Shin-Yeoseong' on the 14th, Lee spoke candidly about the changes from the moment he first heard the news of Park's illness to the present. Recalling that moment, he said, "The moment I first heard the news via text, my mind went blank and I couldn't think of anything. My only thought was that she needed to receive good treatment and recover quickly."

In particular, Lee said that through Park's illness, he realized anew that he had not paid enough attention to his wife. He remarked, "Thinking that I hadn't paid enough attention normally, I made sure to accompany her to the hospital from Cheonan. I haven't been good at expressing myself, so I felt I should give more."

What Lee means by "giving more" does not simply refer to financial support. It is closer to practicing the affection and interest he had not sufficiently expressed through words and actions, such as accompanying her to the hospital, spending time with family, and personally preparing events.

He revealed that during the period Park was receiving treatment, he would wait two to three hours at a famous bakery in Daejeon to buy her a cake. He also actively made time for the family, such as going on trips with their son and daughter and preparing fireworks events. It is as if he has begun to newly embrace the meaning of daily life that he had inadvertently overlooked during their long marriage.

That change also affected the emotional distance between the couple. Lee confessed, "After she received good treatment and we recently started working on programs together, I've been feeling a different kind of sensation, similar to when we were newlyweds. I felt once again how precious she is." This is interpreted as the formation of a level of intimacy different from the excitement of their early marriage.

His lifestyle habits also changed. Lee, who was known to enjoy drinking, said, "My personality has become more positive. I think that even if something bad happens, I can overcome it." He continued, "I used to drink about 380 times a year, including daytime drinking, but now I only drink once or twice a week due to work."

By simple calculation, drinking 380 times a year means having a drinking session more than once a day on average. Since these are figures Lee disclosed himself, his exact alcohol consumption or habits cannot be medically evaluated, but it is clear that the central axis of his life has changed significantly compared to the past.

Park's illness was also a significant event for the family. Park discovered breast cancer during a comprehensive health checkup in 2024 and underwent surgery on December 24 of the same year. During the surgery, lymph node metastasis was confirmed, requiring chemotherapy, and the treatment schedule had to be adjusted as pneumonia occurred during the chemotherapy. She later revealed that she completed 16 sessions of radiation therapy and continued drug treatment.

In November 2025, Park appeared on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' and revealed her approximately one-year battle with illness. At the time, she appeared on the broadcast with a shaved head, saying, "I came out to report that I am still alive," and informed the public of her situation by calmly sharing the physical and emotional pain she experienced during the treatment process.

Afterward, Park began to resume her activities following her recovery. In April 2026, news was reported of her return as an MC for an MBN variety program, and as it was announced that Lee would also appear, the couple is set to work together again on broadcasting sets. It is also a process of the time that had stopped due to the illness returning to its original orbit of daily life and broadcasting.

On this day, Lee also mentioned the unique financial relationship between himself and Park. He confessed that while attempting various businesses in the past, he was misunderstood by those around him as "the wife providing the business funds." He even shared an anecdote where middle-aged women he met on the street told him, "Don't make your wife suffer."

In reality, the financial transactions between the couple were surprisingly clear. Lee said he borrowed business funds from Park and then paid them back, and if he did not repay them by the set date, he would even receive a text message from her. However, he added that since they are a married couple, no interest was paid, which drew laughter.

Lee's business ventures and independent nature have long been part of his persona. Beyond his work as a broadcaster, he has attempted various businesses, including restaurants, experiencing both success and failure while continuously jumping into new fields. He even shared that he informed his wife the day before leaving for a Himalayan climb, and when he started a jjambong restaurant in Cheonan, he only told her a week in advance.

This "notification-style" lifestyle has occasionally drawn criticism from female colleagues. This was the reason Lee Kyung-sil and Jo Hye Ryun scolded him during a broadcast. Lee's tendency to prioritize independence in his marriage serves as both a source of humor and a glimpse into how the couple has maintained their long-term relationship.

Lee also shared stories ranging from an orbital fracture sustained during diving practice on MBC's 'Star Diving Show Splash' in 2013 to his Himalayan climbs and his studies in English, Chinese, guitar, and piano. His drive to learn and try new things even as he ages is another defining characteristic of his personality.

For him, Park's illness was an event of a different nature than a "new challenge." Faced with a crisis beyond his control, he was led to rethink the meaning of family and his spouse. His actions—reducing his drinking, accompanying her to the hospital, waiting hours for a cake, and organizing family events—show that this change was more than just a passing sentiment.

Park, who debuted as a comedian on MBC in 1988, and Lee, who debuted as a comedian on KBS in 1984, are a representative couple who have grown alongside the history of Korean comedy. Married in 1993 and raising one son and one daughter, they have built a unique identity through their respective broadcasting careers and business ventures.

For a long time, their marriage was often consumed by the public as the image of a "bickering comedian couple." However, Lee's recent confession reveals the depth of their relationship and the value they rediscovered while navigating this crisis.

As marriages grow longer, love often manifests through daily life rather than dramatic events. Lee's description of feeling "a different kind of sensation, similar to when we were newlyweds" reflects this shift. While Park's illness was a profound trial, Lee confessed that passing through that time allowed him to reaffirm the preciousness of the partner who has been by his side for so long.