Lee Nak-jun, a former otolaryngology specialist who is now active as a web novel writer, confessed to an unexpected gireogi (commuter) life.
On the 27th episode of SBS's Dongsaingmong Season 2: You Are My Destiny, Lee Nak-jun, famous as the original creator of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, appeared as a patient. He has been close friends with psychiatrist Oh Jin-seung since they served together as military doctors 10 years ago, and they co-run a medical channel with 1.41 million subscribers.
Oh Jin-seung said, "Nak-jun is currently alone," revealing an unexpected update. Lee Nak-jun's wife is staying overseas as a university hospital professor with their children, so he remains in Korea working alone, effectively becoming a "gireogi dad." Oh Jin-seung expressed sympathy, saying, "Nak-jun sleeps on a single mat in the studio. He has nowhere to rely on." Kim Do-yeon also said, "It hurts my heart a little."
Lee Nak-jun went on to share stories of his love with his wife. They met at 23, dated for five years, and this year mark their 14th year of marriage. "We have never broken up. Even when we fight, it's at the level of 'today's date wasn't great,'" he said, and "I usually can't stand it and apologize first. I really love her," showing his affection. He added, "We kiss as soon as we wake up, and we always kiss before sleeping. Kissing is just part of our daily life," boasting that their marriage still feels like a passionate newlywed relationship. But the reality that they must live apart as a gireogi couple made the situation poignant.
Earlier, Lee Nak-jun revealed on MBC's Save Me, Homes that "I am currently 100% active as a full-time writer." His medical work consisted only of salaried positions such as resident and military doctor, and he is now continuing successful work as a web novelist under the pen name Hansaniga.
In particular, he candidly confessed that his income as a writer is "three to four times the level of what I earned as a doctor," which drew attention. Fans and panelists responded to the twist that he is a star writer who earns more than a doctor and a devoted husband who loves his wife, yet lives apart from his family as a gireogi dad, with messages such as "I hope he can live with his family again soon" and "I'm jealous of a couple whose daily life is full of kisses."
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