Esther Lyuh: "I couldn't live with any man but Hye-Gul Hong"

Dr. Esther Lyuh has candidly shared the secret to her long-lasting marriage with her husband, Hye-Gul Hong. In particular, attention is being drawn to how the couple maintains their bond, as she revealed how Hong took it upon himself to manage his relationship with his parents after her struggle with depression to avoid placing any burden on her.

On the 21st, in a video titled "Screening Humanity, My Wife's Summer Vacation" posted on her YouTube channel, Lyuh shared stories about her husband while hosting employees for a summer vacation at her home on Jeju Island.

During the gathering, an employee asked Lyuh which of the "5 Love Languages"—quality time, receiving gifts, receiving affirmation, acts of service, or physical touch—makes her feel the most happiness. Among these, Lyuh chose "acts of service."

Lyuh stated that gifts are relatively unimportant. While joking, "Dr. Hong hasn't given me any gifts anyway, so I'm not disappointed," she recalled a time when Hong wrote her a letter in the past.

"A letter was much more moving. He wrote a truly touching letter, but since ten years ago, even that has lost its sincerity," she said, drawing laughter.

She then explained the aspect of Hong's personality that she values most. "Dr. Hong has very high self-esteem," she said. "He has absolutely no inferiority complex about me earning money and him spending it."

This implies there was almost no competition between the couple regarding economic roles or social success. She also emphasized, "He has never once yelled at me."

In particular, Lyuh mentioned the actions Hong took after she suffered from depression. "After I had depression, even though my relationship with his parents is good and they adore me, he completely blocked them," she said. "He handles everything so I don't have to do anything, though I occasionally sing when my father-in-law visits."

This explains how her husband took on the responsibilities related to his own family to reduce the psychological and domestic burden his wife had to bear. It draws attention as a method of adjusting the very structure of their lives by considering a partner's vulnerable periods, going beyond simple expressions of affection.

Regarding her relationship with Hong, Lyuh spoke honestly, saying, "If it weren't for Dr. Hong, I think it would be difficult to live with any other man. I am too sensitive."

She also explained their relationship through their shared personality compatibility. "Dr. Hong and I have a similar texture and life philosophy," Lyuh said, citing their values regarding money and success.

She stated that she considers it important to "earn money without shame and live this well, rather than struggling to earn hundreds of billions more." She added, "What I always say is that I want to make all my employees happy," citing the happiness of not just family but also those they work with as a core value.

Hong also directly explained the values the couple shares through the video's narration. "This is the sincere heart of our couple. We have nothing more to wish for now," he said. "I hope our family stays healthy and happy, and I want to make our employees happy as well."

The two have long been known to the public as a celebrity couple of doctors. While they have built significant social recognition through their respective professional fields and broadcasting activities, this video emphasized an attitude of caring for each other's lives and a value system of "sufficiency" rather than external success or economic achievement.

In particular, what is noteworthy in Lyuh's remarks is that she found the stability of her marriage not in grand events or economic conditions, but in the ability to understand her partner's weaknesses and relieve unnecessary burdens. The story that Hong personally managed contact with his parents so that it wouldn't be a burden for his wife after her depression is interpreted as a unique facet of the relationship the two have formed throughout their long marriage.

Ultimately, the greatest strength of Hong mentioned by Lyuh was not being a "husband who does things for her," but rather being a person who creates situations where his wife does not have to do them. The happiness the two speak of is closer to a state of protecting their current lives and being satisfied with their family and those around them, rather than possessing more.