Couple breaks up following alcohol addiction and physical violence

A 29-year-old couple decided to part ways during a JTBC broadcast on the 2nd after revealing a relationship marked by physical assault, verbal abuse, and monthly spending of 3 million won on alcohol and motel fees. While the boyfriend wished to continue the relationship, the girlfriend chose to break up despite her sincere feelings.

A boyfriend spending 3 million won a month on alcohol and motel fees and a girlfriend obsessed with the smell of his feet and armpits. Combined with verbal abuse and physical violence following alcohol consumption, the relationship of this same-age couple escalated into unmanageable conflict. Despite hurting each other, the pair struggled to let go, leading Lee Hyo-ri to express her pity, stating she hoped they would break up. Ultimately, the two chose different paths in their final decision.

In the 19th episode of the JTBC entertainment program 'Love War' broadcast on the 2nd, a couple in their late 20s appeared to reveal the struggles surrounding their relationship. MC Lee Hyo-ri, Seo Jang-hoon, and special diplomats Kim Won-hun and Um Ji Yoon observed the couple's daily life, identifying problems and suggesting realistic solutions. The broadcast revealed how a relationship maintained in the name of love was actually carrying severe wounds and burdens.

The boyfriend's drinking habits were the first to shock the cast. Having started drinking in his first year of high school, he has continued for 13 years and stated he drinks as much as four soju PET bottles. He revealed that if he does not drink, he cannot even have a proper conversation with his girlfriend, who began drinking to spend time with him.

The issue is that the drinking has moved beyond a simple lifestyle habit to a level that threatens his health. The boyfriend has not only become unconscious while intoxicated but has also been rushed to the emergency room and hospitalized due to alcohol issues. He was diagnosed with fatty liver, and his liver enzyme levels were 351, significantly higher than the normal range. Doctors warned that his life could be at risk if he continues to drink. Observing this, Lee Hyo-ri and Seo Jang-hoon advised that he needs to undergo an alcohol addiction test.

The couple's economic situation was also severe. Spending approximately 3 million won a month on alcohol and motel fees because they drank at motels every day, they eventually began living together once their savings were exhausted. To cover living expenses, the girlfriend worked two jobs and even sold a gold ring she had received as a gift to make up for the shortage. The spending required to maintain the relationship turned into a daily burden for basic livelihood.

Even more shocking were the boyfriend's violent actions. When it was revealed that he directs profanity and verbal abuse toward his girlfriend when drunk and has actually committed physical assault, the cast pointed out the gravity of the situation. Lee Hyo-ri expressed concern for the girlfriend's safety, saying, "You have to leave the house. It's truly dangerous," while Seo Jang-hoon also strongly criticized the boyfriend's behavior. The situation was one where problems caused by alcohol could not be dismissed merely as arguments between lovers.

The girlfriend's behavior also bewildered the cast. She confessed to being uniquely obsessed with smelling her boyfriend's feet and armpits, to the point where she finds it difficult to sleep if she cannot check his body odor. She showed daily patterns of trying to check his scent, such as stopping him from washing his feet by saying, "Just wash your feet." Watching this, Lee Hyo-ri could not hide her surprise, saying, "Let's do a shaman ritual" and "You need to call a shaman." Beyond the obsession with body odor, the girlfriend also showed difficulty in emotional regulation, including using profanity and physical violence when drinking and demanding excessive skinship.

Nevertheless, the boyfriend showed a completely different side when he was not drinking. He took charge of 80% of the housework, including cooking and cleaning, and showed a caring side by giving his girlfriend foot massages. Seo Jang-hoon analyzed that these qualities actually made it easier for the girlfriend to forget the boyfriend's wrongdoings. He pointed out, "All the faults are forgotten and it just feels like being in heaven," noting that temporary kindness cannot offset repeated violence and problematic behavior.

Watching the relationship, Lee Hyo-ri eventually offered a firm opinion. "I can only think of you two as a bad connection. I hope you break up," she said. Because the relationship involved not just personality differences or lifestyle conflicts but also health, economic burdens, and violence, the cast presented realistic negotiation plans, including stopping cohabitation, living separate lives, undergoing alcohol addiction testing, and engaging in economic activities.

In the final choice, the two hearts diverged. Unlike the boyfriend, who wanted to continue the relationship, the girlfriend chose to break up. The girlfriend left the words, "Because my feeling of liking you is sincere," while the boyfriend calmly respected her decision. It was a moment that showed the reality that all problems cannot be solved by the emotion of love alone.

Ultimately, the 29-year-old couple concluded the broadcast by making different choices. In a relationship entangled with alcohol, violence, economic burdens, and abnormal obsessions, the breakup was portrayed not merely as an emotional settlement but as a decision to reclaim safety and life. Lee Hyo-ri's blunt advice to "break up" also led to the message that one does not have to endure pain for the sake of love.

Read the original (Korean)