Recently, the wedding of Song Ji-eun, a former member of the group Secret, and YouTuber Park Wi, who is paralyzed from the waist down, sparked both celebration and controversy. The couple, who share a Christian faith, tied the knot on October 9th in Seoul, with the ceremony hosted by TV personality Jeon Hyun-moo and performances by singers Baek Ji-young and Insooni. However, what gained unexpected attention was a speech made by Park Wi’s younger brother, which stirred mixed reactions online.
Park Wi became well-known after he overcame a life-changing injury that left him paralyzed. Despite his challenges, his relationship with Song Ji-eun blossomed, leading to their eventual marriage. The ceremony shared through Park Wi’s YouTube channel, showcased emotional moments, but one, in particular, caught the attention of netizens.
In his wedding toast, Park Wi’s brother expressed his relief that Song Ji-eun would be there to care for his disabled sibling. He mentioned that she had alleviated some of the burden of care that he and the family had felt since Park Wi’s accident. The tone of his speech, especially when he recounted a personal story involving Park Wi and Song Ji-eun at the gym, raised eyebrows. He portrayed Song as a dedicated figure who would take care of his brother, using phrases that some found uncomfortable. His words, such as how he felt he could finally “let go” of his brother’s care because of Song’s presence, drew criticism online.
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Many people who watched the video felt that the speech was inappropriate and disrespectful. They argued that it seemed to reduce Song Ji-eun to the role of a caregiver, rather than celebrating her as a bride or equal partner in the marriage. Comments online voiced discomfort, suggesting that the toast lacked sensitivity toward Song Ji-eun and portrayed her as a caretaker rather than a life partner. Some also found the detailed mention of personal incidents unnecessary and pointed out that it focused too much on Park Wi’s disability.
In response to the negative feedback, parts of the speech were later removed from the video. Still, opinions remained divided. While some agreed that the speech was in poor taste, others argued that the couple themselves appeared happy and that outsiders were overreacting. They noted that Song Ji-eun was smiling during the ceremony, and that the speech reflected the close bond between Park Wi and his brother.
The wedding became a hot topic, not just because of the joy of the couple but also due to the ongoing debate about the boundaries of what is appropriate in such personal moments.