Kim Byung-man Discusses Divorce and 10 Years of Separation from His 7-Year-Older Spouse

On October 28, 2024, Kim Byung-man made a notable appearance on Channel A’s “Table for 4,” where he opened up about his past and personal struggles, particularly concerning his marriage and recent hardships.

Initially married in 2012, Kim faced a tumultuous journey culminating in a divorce finalized in 2020. The public first learned of this separation last year. During the program, he revealed, “We lived apart for a decade after getting married in 2012, and my reluctance to disclose our separation was rooted in fear.”

“We Needed to Separate, But It Wasn’t Settled”

Kim had previously shied away from discussing the disappointment and challenges following his divorce, claiming, “It felt uncomfortable to speak about my emotional distress.” He expressed his fears over potential exaggeration of the narrative around his situation, stating, “My main concern was that the story would be blown out of proportion, affecting the foundation I struggled to build.”

Kim elaborated on the pain he felt while attending wedding ceremonies, regularly requested to act as a host. “While I celebrated others’ happiness, I couldn’t help feeling miserable about my own circumstances,” he said, reflecting on his internal conflicts. He further described his deep sense of confinement within his situation, stating, “Although I believed a separation was necessary, it never felt finalized. I constantly felt the weight of this burden.” In a moment of vulnerability, he mentioned changes he made, such as switching his phone number and gathering his belongings without clear resolution.

“Ex-Wife Refused Divorce; Had to Rely on Legal Power”

In March 2012, Kim Byung-man announced his engagement to a woman seven years his senior, who also came with a child from a prior relationship. Their union gained significant media attention. During the interview, he remarked, “Love might be fleeting, but the bond created through children is profound. I yearned to have my own child.”

As they raised their child together, Kim believed he had offered substantial support. However, as their child approached adulthood, Kim expressed a desire to part ways, which his ex-wife sadly interpreted as mere petulance. He shared, “Ultimately, I felt compelled to pursue legal avenues. I filed for divorce in 2019, and we concluded the process the following year.”

Kim Byung-man’s Mother’s Tragic Death

In 2022, Kim was struck by tragedy when his mother died unexpectedly while clam harvesting, swept away by the rising tide. This incident left a profound mark on him.

Recalling the heartbreaking moment, he stated, “She went to gather clams for her nieces and nephews, and that’s when we lost her. It pained me deeply that she clutched the clams she collected until her last breath.” Visibly shaken, Kim said, “I remained by her memorial for three days. While I saved many lives in the jungle, I couldn’t save mine. The guilt was overwhelming.” He added, “For over a year, I struggled to cope. I would even dream of her, soaked and in distress.”

Kim Byung-man’s Age and Profile

Born in 1975, Kim Byung-man is 49 years old. He began his artistic journey in 1996 with theatrical performances before stepping into television as a comedian through KBS’s 17th recruitment in 2022.

He gained widespread popularity as a core member of KBS’s “Gag Concert,” particularly in the skit “Master,” and as the charismatic host of SBS’s “Kim Byung-man’s Law of the Jungle,” a show that ran from 2011 to 2020 and won him a plethora of fans.

Recognized for his contributions to both sketch comedy and entertainment shows, Kim was honored with the esteemed Grand Prize at the SBS Entertainment Awards in 2013.

In response to his candid sharing, netizens took to social media to offer words of encouragement, remarking, “You’ve endured so much,” “We support you, Byung-man,” “Wishing you happiness in your next chapter,” and “You are a remarkable entertainer, and I wish you all the success ahead.”

Source: Daum

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