Appearing as a guest on the Dec. 16 episode, the model fielded a cheeky question from panelist Lee Sang-min, who asked if Choo struggles to spread his wings because he’s living “in his wife’s shadow.” Yano laughed it off: “Really? He shines every single day.”
When the panel teased that Choo keeps busy because he feels small next to her―and even ribbed him for piling on pricey accessories―Yano backed her husband. “They suit him. He wears them because he likes them,” she said.
Yano then revealed they keep separate accounts and that she was surprised to learn he has a black card. “I didn’t know. We have separate bank books,” she said, adding with mock outrage, “He has a black card? I only have a gold card―why does he get the black one?”
Asked if Choo was the same before marriage, Yano admitted, “He used to lavish me with gifts, but after we got married, not so much―now he mostly buys things for himself.” Comedian Kim Jun-ho joked, “That’s kind of cool,” prompting Yano to fire back playfully, “Cool? How is that cool?”
Their spending styles differ, too. “I bought our home because I wanted to,” she explained. “My husband prefers renting―he likes paying for things more like a living expense than a traditional monthly rent.”
Addressing rumors they’re a “seasonal couple,” Yano clarified, “There was a time when he got so busy we didn’t see each other for three or four months. But these days I’m in Korea more often, so we make sure to meet at least once a month.”
So why stick with him despite the long stretches apart? “There are good parts,” she said. “We used to fight when we were together all the time, but being apart has made us appreciate each other more.” Then, with a grin, she added, “There are moments I want to give him a smack―and, well, I already did,” drawing laughs from the studio.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)