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Seven Years as His Wife’s Caregiver
Veteran Korean singer Tae Jin-ah has shared details of the round-the-clock care he provides for his wife, Lee Ok-hyung, who was diagnosed with dementia seven years ago.
Appearing in the Chuseok special “THE NEW Haneulbit Hyanggi,” released by the Christian broadcaster CGN on Sept. 22, Tae said his wife’s cognitive abilities had declined significantly over the past two years. He said he gives her medication in about 13 separate doses each day and changes her diapers and underwear because she has difficulty using the bathroom alone.
The caregiving has sharply curtailed his public schedule. Tae said he has lost about 90% of the time he once devoted to television appearances and live events because he needs to remain by his wife’s side.
Songs to Help Her Remember
Tae said he wrote a simple song for his wife and plays it repeatedly so she can remember it more easily. He decided to create the song after realizing that she had forgotten many of the lyrics to music she once knew.
Explaining his commitment to her care, Tae said his wife has the right to receive everything from him and that he has a duty to do whatever he can for her.
A Marriage Woven Into His Music
Tae, who debuted in 1973, is known for songs including “Okgyeong-i,” which was inspired by his wife. The couple married in 1981 and have two sons. Their younger son, Eru, worked as a singer and actor.
In 2023, Tae released “I Will Go With You,” writing the lyrics with his wife in mind while Eru composed the music. Despite scaling back outside activities, Tae said he continues to release an album each year as a service to the fans who have supported his career.
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