An Jaemo Sparks Debate with Pre-Marriage Cohabitation Story
Korean actor An Jaemo recently made headlines after candidly sharing his pre-marriage cohabitation experience during his appearance on MBN’s variety show “Let’s Go GO4 (Gabojago).” He revealed that he moved in with his wife before they tied the knot back in 2009, after they met through a friend's introduction.
The episode not only delved into their love story but also gave viewers a glimpse into their married life, including a rather peculiar yet intriguing setup in their bedroom—a divider splitting their bed in two. Hosts playfully questioned whether the divider reflected deeper issues in their relationship or simply a practical solution to a parenting challenge.
Cohabitation Before Marriage: Freedom of Choice or Disrespect for Tradition?
The Case for Cohabitation
An Jaemo’s openness about living together before marriage reflects a growing global trend. In countries like the U.S., Canada, and much of Europe, cohabitation is becoming a normal step in relationships. It allows couples to understand each other’s habits, values, and communication styles before making a lifelong commitment.
American sociologist Edd Neyler says, “Cohabitation doesn't weaken the institution of marriage—it can actually strengthen it by helping couples better prepare for married life.” For individuals like An, living together helped build trust and foster a deeper emotional connection.
The Traditional Perspective
Still, not everyone is in favor. In more conservative cultures—South Korea included—cohabiting before marriage is often seen as disrespectful to family values and traditions. This mindset can result in public backlash when public figures, like An Jaemo, disclose such personal details.
Take the case of another actor who revealed his pre-marriage cohabitation: despite being well-liked, he faced intense criticism, leading to a temporary halt in his career. The message is clear—for many, family honor and social reputation still carry heavy weight.
The Bedroom Divider: Independence or Distance?
The Reason Behind the Divider
As for the curious case of the bed partition, An explained that it evolved naturally from parenting circumstances—sharing space with young children. Rather than symbolizing distance, it was a response to the demands of raising a family in a limited space, while trying to maintain some level of individual privacy.
Psychologist Alfred Adler once noted, “Couples benefit from having boundaries—not to push each other away, but to give breathing room.” In this light, their arrangement could be understood as a way to balance close family ties and personal space.
The Criticism
That said, not everyone buys it. The divider quickly became the butt of jokes on the show, with hosts teasing An that he’d have to "scale a wall" to reach his wife. Behind the humor lies a deeper societal curiosity—is partitioning the bed simply functional, or does it hint at emotional separation?
From a behavioral perspective, physical separation in a couple’s sleeping arrangements can lead to—or reflect—a lack of communication. However, it can also mark a mature understanding of each other’s needs, especially when raising children.
Takeaway: Embracing Different Choices
Whether it's cohabiting before the wedding or modifying bedroom layouts after kids, An Jaemo’s story illustrates the evolving landscape of family and relationship norms. It shows that modern love isn't one-size-fits-all and opens the floor for healthy discussions.
In a world that’s rapidly changing, perhaps the key isn't clinging too tightly to the past or diving headfirst into every modern trend. Instead, it's about listening, understanding, and respecting each other’s choices, even if they're different from our own.
An Jaemo may not have intended to start a debate, but by simply sharing his story, he reminded us that love lives in the details—whether in shared apartments before the wedding or behind bedroom dividers after.
