Baek Ji-young explains why she stood by Jung Seok-won after his 2018 drug conviction

"I know what kind of person he is"

Barek Ji-young addressed the question head-on, on camera, that has shadowed her marriage for eight years. On October 31, she uploaded a video to her YouTube channel titled Caught Sleeping in Separate Rooms and Scolded by Sun Woo Yong-yeo: The Baek Ji-young Couple's Married Life. In it, she explained why she chose to stay with Jung Seok-won after his 2018 methamphetamine arrest.

"People keep saying I comforted him when Seok-won made mistakes," she said. "If he was originally that kind of person, I might have turned away too. But because I know what kind of person he is normally, when he made a mistake, I thought: 'This is the time I should support him.'" Singer Sun Woo Yong-yeo, who appeared in the video alongside the couple, nodded along. "That's because you know Jung Seok-won's true nature."

Jung Seok-won was arrested in 2018 on suspicion of philopon use and sentenced to 10 months imprisonment with a two-year suspended sentence. He resumed activities in 2024 by appearing on stage in a theatrical production after a period of self-reflection.

Thirteen years in, and counting

Barek Ji-young and Jung Seok-won married in 2013 and had a daughter in 2017. This video marks their 13th year of marriage. Sun Woo Yong-yeo offered them a timeline. "Trouble comes at 10 years, and at 13 years it's over now. From now on you will live well."

The couple disagreed—lightly—on when their rough patch actually was. Baek Ji-young said the turbulence came about a year into the marriage. Jung Seok-won said it was closer to three years. Thirteen years of marriage and they still can't agree on the timeline.

Jung Seok-won reflected on that period. "I wandered quite a lot," he said, "but I've since overcome it. I learned the joy of loving and the joy of giving through this person."

Sun Woo Yong-yeo wrapped up with advice for both. She told Jung Seok-won to support whatever his wife does, noting that in a household of two celebrities, one will always be ahead of the other at any given time. To Baek Ji-young: don't act too superior. "Think that our husband is the best." Her final word on the couple: "You two are really living beautifully."