Former Red Sox member No Jeong-myeong reflects on retirement: 'Wealth and happiness are not correlated'

No Jeong-myeong, a former member of the group Red Sox, has opened up about her early marriage, childbirth, and the married life she spent with conservative in-laws, even reflecting on the feelings of her ex-husband that she failed to understand at the time. It was a candid confession regarding the hidden side of married life, where economic abundance and personal happiness do not necessarily correlate.

On the 9th, No appeared on a YouTube channel and shared everything from her first meeting with her ex-husband, whom she met during her activities with Red Sox, to the background of why she left the entertainment industry after marriage. Regarding her ex-husband, she said, “I met him while I was active with Red Sox; he was a client who came to the salon,” adding, “His father had money. He was born with a silver spoon.”

At the time, economic capability was one of the realistic criteria for No when choosing a spouse. “To be honest, I liked capable people back then,” she said. “If I was going to eat, I wanted to eat Korean beef. At that time, there weren't many men of our age who could buy me Korean beef.” However, she drew a line, stating she didn't marry him solely for his wealth. Her explanation was, “His capability was good, but he was such a wonderful person.”

Upon marriage, No's life drifted rapidly away from the entertainment industry. Having debuted with Red Sox in 2005 and experienced broadcasting and stage performances, she focused on childcare after experiencing pregnancy and marriage in her mid-20s. Above all, she recalled that the conservative atmosphere of her in-laws created an environment where it was difficult to continue her social life.

“I had to raise a child, so I was preoccupied with childcare, and because the family was conservative, they didn't want me going out to engage in social activities,” No revealed. “There were severe restrictions on meeting friends or attending to personal matters.”

What was hardest for her was not the economic issues, but the loneliness. Although she had to devote herself to childcare immediately after giving birth, she could neither meet friends freely nor go out alone to get some fresh air. Ultimately, she had to invite her friends to her house, maintaining her social connections while living in the same house as her parents-in-law.

“Mothers raising children also need to go out and get some fresh air, but I didn't have that,” No said. “Because I couldn't meet friends outside, it was so hard that I sometimes invited them to the house.” She added that her mother-in-law also told her to invite friends home rather than going out to meet them.

Nevertheless, she did not define her choices at the time simply as oppression or misery. “At that time, that was also a precious time for me. Because I was so lonely,” she recalled. This implies that the sense of isolation she felt was significant as her social network shrank rapidly amidst the consecutive events of marriage and childbirth.

The more dramatic part was the process of informing her in-laws about the pregnancy. According to No, her ex-husband was unable to inform his parents of the pregnancy until she was already six months pregnant. She later interpreted this as the fact that her parents-in-laws were strict people, and her ex-husband, being young at the time, likely felt the burden of suddenly having to take responsibility for both of their families while not being economically prepared.

“At that time, I couldn't understand my ex-husband's feelings and had feelings of resentment toward him,” No said. “As I live my life, I realize he must have had a very difficult time as well.” Rather than judging her past marriage through a one-sided framework of victim and perpetrator, she confessed that as time passed, she began to look at the other person's perspective.

Ultimately, the wedding was held after the childbirth. It was explained that the pregnancy was only revealed to the in-laws when she was six months pregnant, and because her belly was already showing, it was difficult to rush the wedding. No revealed that she held the wedding three months after giving birth, recalling, “At that time, it wasn't something that could happen [normally].”

No's story shows the life of a woman in her 20s that is difficult to explain solely through her glamorous entertainment career and early marriage. In particular, her confession poses questions to common perceptions of marriage and family, as entering a wealthy household does not necessarily guarantee individual autonomy, social relationships, or emotional stability.

After debuting with Red Sox in 2005, No left the entertainment industry to focus on marriage and childcare. Later, she reappeared before the public by appearing on MBN's 'Love After Divorce 6,' where she formed a relationship with Seo Bo-min. The two announced their breakup last December.

From her early days in Red Sox to her sudden pregnancy, retirement, divorce, and return to broadcasting, No's life is more than just a 'divorced celebrity' narrative; it is a process of reinterpreting her past through the passage of time. This confession draws attention as it seeks to reflect on the structures of her marriage and her partner's circumstances rather than simply dwelling on regret.