Comedian Lee Sang-hae clashed with his wife Kim Young-im over business ambitions.
On the 16th episode of MBN "Exclusive World," Lee Sang-hae was shown attempting a new restaurant business in his 80s.
That day, Lee Sang-hae visited a Chinese restaurant run by Kim Hak-rae to ask for advice about the food industry. Kim Hak-rae responded, "Do you want to open a shop, hyung?" and said firmly, "Don't do it. It's better to just stay put. What time is it now to be opening a restaurant?"
Lee Sang-hae said, "What time? You have to take advantage of times like this. When it's time to get a place you can get the price down," and Kim Hak-rae explained, "After the pandemic, individual small business owners doing business now are having no luck."
Lee Sang-hae pressed, "If you were really running at a loss, would you do this? Aren't you still able to eat, so that's why you do it?" Kim Hak-rae firmly discouraged him, saying, "Suddenly a restaurant, what nonsense... I can't do it. I'm saying this because you're my hyung."
Despite that, Lee Sang-hae insisted, "Out of ten places now, one will work, won't it?" When asked, "What industry are you going to do?" he replied, "I'm going around to find that out. I've tried this business and that business; some worked and some didn't. Service suits me a bit. When I thought about service industries, food was the only option."
Kim Hak-rae warned, "It's absolutely not easy. If you try it and it fails, at least several hundred million won will be wiped out. Think again, consult with your wife, discuss it again, and if it's not this, then we can't do it. Only do it when it's something you must do." After that, Kim Hak-rae continued to persuade him by explaining his own restaurant situation, saying that unstable international conditions have made all businesses difficult. He added, "If Lee Sang-hae hyunbaenim insisted and had at least that level of planning, he would do it. That's one of his strengths. He agonizes a lot before deciding, but once he decides, he pushes endlessly," expressing a resigned feeling.
In the end, Lee Sang-hae did not heed Kim Hak-rae's persuasion and visited a real estate office. He said, "At our age we can't stop working. Am I too old to do this? Compared to that, food allows closer interaction with people. I think those locations are the best for entertainers," expressing his view. Despite concerns about the difficulty of running a restaurant, he insisted, "Is there anything in this world that's not hard? Because it's hard, you have to work harder than others. There is no age for running a business. When running a business you're in your teens. Because I can do it, I'm still happy," and pushed strongly.
After checking shop listings, Lee Sang-hae went to see Kim Young-im to tell her his intention. He said, "I met juniors and came back; it's nothing special. I'm thinking about trying to run a business," and Kim Young-im opposed, saying, "What business would you run? Why are you like this? That's not right." Lee Sang-hae expressed displeasure, "You should listen before saying no unconditionally," and Kim Young-im replied negatively, "People who want to run businesses are already trying to wind things down."
Lee Sang-hae demanded, "Have you ever once said yes when I talked until now?" Kim Young-im shook her head and said, "You should talk about things that can work." Lee Sang-hae snapped, "Then should I just play? Is it better to do nothing and play? Should I mop the house and stay home?" Kim Young-im said, "When did you ever mop?" and added, "What are you doing now?"
Lee Sang-hae said, "If I open a restaurant from now on, it starts now," and Kim Young-im scolded, "At your age you should now think about how to age well and organize that." Lee Sang-hae countered, "Why do you say I'm getting old? You should think about how I can become younger. Being active at work can make things better."
Kim Young-im said, "Then go out, exercise and play golf," and Lee Sang-hae retorted, "I've done the exercise. I'm storing energy to run a shop," in a tense exchange. Kim Young-im suggested, "Meet juniors and give advice or do something like that," but Lee Sang-hae replied, "What advice would I give? Young people are smarter these days." Kim Young-im said, "I'm usually the type to say 'Why not try it,' but I can't understand this, and I think you shouldn't do it. If you insist on doing it, go out alone and handle it yourself," drawing a firm line.
In the past, Lee Sang-hae ran various businesses such as a golf practice range while working as a comedian. Because of that he made a lot of money, but he also lost a lot. Lee Sang-hae said honestly about his business failures, "I did a lot of business, though not recently. Some didn't work out. That's regrettable, but it's because I was lacking. I was deceived many times. I don't want to talk about that. I don't want to swear together with others."
As for why he won't give up starting a business despite his wife's opposition, he said, "I've been the head of the family for as long as I can remember. I'm the eldest grandson. I must do my duty as the head. When that becomes a habit, you keep doing it without realizing it. I have to show an example so the children follow," saying he wants to show his role as head of the family.
After that, Lee Sang-hae went back to talk with Kim Young-im. Kim Young-im asked for concrete plans, saying, "There are many types of businesses; I'd like to hear a detailed explanation," and Lee Sang-hae said, "I'm taking the first step now. Still, you should know first and give permission. Shouldn't a couple be of one mind? So I'm asking you how you feel about me trying this."
Kim Young-im pointed out the practical problem, "But business doesn't start with bare hands; you need money," and Lee Sang-hae emphasized, "I'm confident. I can do it confidently," and asked, "You'll let me do it when the time comes, right?" Kim Young-im said she would decide after hearing detailed plans, "Think over the idea you have and make a plan."
Lee Sang-hae expressed satisfaction, "Then it's settled. Honestly, I gained about 40% today. For the remaining 60%, I'll work hard to explain to you," and Kim Young-im candidly expressed her feelings, "How upsetting would it be not to be allowed to do what you want? As I age, I understand those things more and what can you do. I'm getting older. I just hope you don't act impulsively."
Lee Sang-hae said confidently, "I should think about what and how I will do it. If I say, 'Will I do this because I'm old?' I'll lose steam and won't do it. I want to succeed and show younger people. If you work this hard, you succeed."
Meanwhile, Lee Sang-hae is married to gugak musician Kim Young-im and has one son and one daughter. Their son married singer and actor Kim Yoon-ji (NS Yoon-G) in 2021 and welcomed a daughter in 2024.
[Photo] MBN
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