Kangnam admits his wife Lee Sang-hwa paid for their wedding and honeymoon. He discusses his emotional journey of naturalization and how Lee stood by his family during his father’s illness. The couple’s openness about their unconventional marriage highlights modern love in the face of public scrutiny.
Former M.I.B member Kangnam has found himself at the center of renewed public scrutiny regarding his marriage to Olympic speed skater Lee Sang-hwa. The entertainer, who naturalized as a Korean citizen in 2022 after renouncing his Japanese nationality, has been forced to address persistent rumors about the financial dynamics of their relationship. While the couple has always presented a united front, questions about their wedding expenses and Kangnam's motivations for marriage have continued to surface in online discussions.
The speculation stems from the couple's extravagant 2019 wedding at a luxury hotel, an event that reportedly cost hundreds of millions of won and featured 1,500 guests. What makes their situation unusual in Korean celebrity culture is the revelation that Lee, as the bride, ultimately bore the financial burden of both the wedding and their honeymoon - a reversal of traditional expectations that has led to years of whispered accusations and judgment.
My Wife Paid for Everything
Source: Instagram/kangkangnam
During a recent appearance on Salty Brother Shin Dong-yup, Kangnam finally addressed the financial elephant in the room with surprising candor. But as he explained, the traditional practice of calculating and saving wedding money gifts went awry.
"The wedding was really big at the time, with 1,500 guests. I said, 'We're bringing our national team, so let's make it big! I'll pay for the wedding expenses. Usually, we calculate and save the wedding money we receive. But my cousin just put it in. After it was over, we didn't know who gave how much or who was who."
This administrative chaos led to an unexpected outcome. Lee Sanghwa had secretly paid all of her wedding expenses with Kangnam.
"So Sanghwa just paid all the wedding expenses, and I just danced. On top of the wedding expenses, Sanghwa also paid for the honeymoon that we had already paid for," Kangnam revealed.
When host Shin Dong-yup bluntly asked, "I'm sorry, but did you marry Sang-hwa for his money?" Kangnam responded with self-deprecating humor.
"It wasn't a coincidence, but I'm so sorry," a remark that lightened the mood but also spoke volumes about the couple's ability to weather public criticism.
Source: Salty Brother Shin Dong-yup via Chosun
The financial transparency comes nearly six years after their wedding, during which time Kangnam has faced constant speculation about his motives for marrying one of South Korea's most decorated winter sports athletes. Lee, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in speed skating, has remained steadfastly supportive of her husband throughout the years of scrutiny.
A Love That Transcends Borders and Expectations
Beyond the financial revelations, Kangnam opened up about the deeper emotional journey that led him to naturalization and marriage. His decision to renounce Japanese citizenship in 2019 was particularly painful for his Japanese father. However, his father eventually came to understand the decision, telling him.
"To be honest, my dad cried a little. But (he said), 'Hey! You've thought about it well. Naturalizing is the right thing to do',” Kangnam confessed.
The couple's bond was further tested when Kangnam's father faced a serious health crisis. "This is the first time I'm saying this, but my dad had liver cancer surgery, and Sang-hwa took care of him, so he recovered. If Sang-hwa hadn't been there, things would have been dire," Kangnam shared, revealing the depth of his wife's commitment to their family.
Today, Kangnam continues to balance his career between entertainment and personal ventures. His YouTube channel remains popular, and he's hinted at possible returns to music. Meanwhile, the couple has seemingly put the financial rumors behind them, focusing instead on building their life together.
Kangnam's journey to this point has been anything but conventional. Born Yasuo Namekawa in Tokyo to a Korean mother and Japanese father, he first entered the entertainment scene as a member of the Japanese band Kick Chop Busters before making his mark in Korea as part of hip-hop group M.I.B. His transition from musician to variety star through shows like Law of the Jungle showcased his adaptability and charm, traits that have served him well throughout his career.
What emerges from Kangnam's recent revelations is a portrait of a modern marriage that defies traditional expectations - one where financial contributions don't follow prescribed gender roles, where love crosses national boundaries, and where public scrutiny ultimately strengthens rather than weakens their bond. In an entertainment industry where image is carefully curated, Kangnam and Lee Sang-hwa's willingness to be authentic about their unconventional relationship may be their most revolutionary act yet.
Source: Chosun, Salty Brother Shin Dong-yup, news.nate
Kangnam oppa really out here making me emotional before my 10AM meeting… How am I supposed to explain these happy tears to my boss?
Let’s not compare love stories like that! 
