Actress Ye Jung Hwa makes her first public television appearance in nine years by reemerging during the finale of tvN's boxing survival reality show "I Am Boxer" to support her husband Ma Dong Seok. This is a very uncommon appearance for the actress as she stepped out of the limelight since 2017.
The final episode was broadcast on Jan. 23, 2026 (KST) and included the championship bout between the boxers Guk Seung Joon and Lee Chae Hyun. It also had the attention of many celebrities from the entertainment circle, who attended the event including the Wonder Girls member Yubin, Lee Joo Bin, and Simon Dominic.
The presence of Ye in the audience immediately made her the center of attention in that particular episode, especially upon recognizing that she was that actress who had mostly paused her activities almost a decade ago.
According to Koreaboo, this was the first time that Ye had been featured on television since she had chosen to pause her activities following her romantic relationship with Ma Dong Seok.
During the event, Ma Dong Seok acknowledged his wife in front of the audience. In a brief introduction before his remark, the actor addressed why she was in attendance. He then said, "She came to support her husband." Ye stood up, greeted the crowd and showed affection by making finger-heart gestures, drawing visible reactions from those present, Koreaboo reported.
Ma Dong Seok, born in 1971, and Ye Jung Hwa, born in 1988, first confirmed their relationship in 2016, drawing public attention due to their 17-year age difference. Despite scrutiny, the couple continued their relationship privately for several years.
Additional context about their marriage later emerged through official events. According to Xportsnews, Ma Dong Seok publicly referred to Ye as his wife during an awards ceremony in 2022. Before delivering his comment, he spoke about the people who supported him throughout his career. He then described Ye as "the most supportive wife," revealing that the couple had already legally registered their marriage in 2021.
Following that disclosure, the couple received widespread congratulations from fans and industry peers. xportsnews further reported that Ma Dong Seok and Ye Jung Hwa later held a delayed wedding ceremony in May 2024, formalizing their union in front of family and friends after several years of marriage.
Ye Jung Hwa's unexpected appearance has since sparked renewed interest in her life and career, with viewers noting the significance of her return, even if brief, after nearly a decade away from the spotlight.
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