A debate has sparked over the wedding speech given at the wedding of former SECRET member Song Ji Eun and YouTuber Park Wi, who is confined to a wheelchair after he was diagnosed with full-body paralysis.
Song Ji Eun and Park Wi held their wedding on October 9 at a venue in Gangnam, Seoul.
With many guests in attendance, former announcer Jun Hyun Moo presided over the event, and singers Baek Ji Young and Insooni sang congratulatory songs. During the wedding ceremony, Park Wi's younger brother delivered a speech for the couple.
Starting with, "From today, I am Song Ji Eun's eternal brother-in-law," Park Wi’s brother emotionally shared, "Ten years ago, my brother was diagnosed with full-body paralysis after an unexpected accident. It was incredibly hard for our family. When I visited him in the ICU, he would greet visitors with a smile, but by the time it was my turn, he was utterly exhausted."
He continued, "I was deeply saddened, but I couldn't cry, because I was a 25-year-old son to parents whose child had become paralyzed," and his voice trembled with emotion.
Park Wi’s brother went on to say, "Even though I didn’t show it, I was always worried about what to do if my brother needed help. This is where my sister-in-law came in," causing Song Ji Eun to tear up.
He also shared a personal anecdote about Park Wi and Song Ji Eun.
He continued to share, "Recently, my brother and sister-in-law were exercising at the gym when my brother exerted too much effort, leading to an unexpected release of something unpleasant... My brother asked, 'Ji Eun, do you smell something?' To which my sister-in-law calmly replied, 'Just a little, but don't worry. Let’s move you from the wheelchair first, and I’ll take care of the problem if needed'."
He added tearfully, "I have never heard something so reassuring in my life. Have any of you? After hearing this, I finally felt that I could let go of my brother from my heart. I told him, ‘I’ll leave you in the trustworthy hands of our sister-in-law. Take care,’ and bid him farewell."
He concluded, "When asked, 'What does disability mean to you?' I answered, 'It’s the strong bond that holds our family together.' And with that strong bond, my brother has also tied our sister-in-law into our family. Thank you for becoming part of our family. And, hyung, I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage. Thank you, and I love you."
After the video was posted on Park Wi’s YouTube channel, 'Wiracle,' the speech sparked debate on various online communities.
Some argued the speech was uncomfortable, criticizing it for not considering Song Ji Eun's family's feelings and made her sound more like a caregiver/health aide. Others felt it wasn't something that outsiders should comment on.
Netizens commented, "The speech was indeed uncomfortable. He could have simply expressed pride in his brother for overcoming obstacles with love. It was confusing and took away from the emotions," "Why share such a story in such a public and sensitive setting?" "It exposed too much about the brother's struggles and the bride’s future hardships. There were plenty of other positive things to say," and "He portrayed them to be a handicapped husband and a wife who would be a nurse aide for the rest of her life. It would've been better if someone reviewed his speech before he read it."
On the other hand, others defended the speech, saying, "The bride was smiling, so why are people making such a fuss?" "They got married with both families' approval. If you feel bad, just move on instead of criticizing," and "Song Ji Eun looked happy. It’s strange to make such an issue over the speech when they seem deeply in love."
Park Wi, a creator with about 890,000 subscribers, runs the YouTube channel 'Wiracle.' He was diagnosed with full-body paralysis in 2014 after a fall from a building but now lives his life using a wheelchair after rehabilitation.
Song Ji Eun debuted in 2009 with the girl group SECRET, leaving behind hits like "Love is Move" and "Madonna." Since the group's disbandment in 2016, she has pursued solo and acting activities.
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