Lia Kim's 19-year partner reveals why they never married: "Didn't want to label her 아줌마"

The reason behind 19 years without a wedding

Lia Kim and her partner of 19 years, Yoon Yeo-wook, addressed why they have never married. His answer was direct. Speaking on episode 8 of the EBS documentary series 시대목격, which aired October 4, Yoon said the decision came down to protecting her image as an artist.

"We didn't want to put the label of '아줌마' on her. We hoped she would continue to work as a younger and more beautiful artist."

Yoon, who is also co-representative of Lia Kim's global dance creative company 원밀리언 (1MILLION), explained that anxiety shaped the choice. "At that time there was excessive anxiety," he said. "As the shining time passed and a declining period came, she was very anxious. That is one of the reasons we didn't get married."

A slump that lasted nearly a decade

Lia Kim—a leading K-pop choreographer and CEO of 원밀리언—had reached the top of the dance world fast. Within 5-6 years of starting, she won championships in both locking and popping.

Then came 2011. She lost a popping battle to a Chinese teenager and was eliminated in the round of 32. World champion, out in the 32nd round.

She described what followed: "'I'm the world champion, how did I lose to him?' My pride was hurt, I didn't want to accept it. I wanted to quit dancing and hid alone in a dark place. I cried and gained weight."

The slump lasted approximately 7-8 years, continuing until just before she founded 원밀리언.