Son Dam Bi’s transition from pop star to mother has been handled with remarkable grace, and her husband, Lee Kyou-hyuk—a name that is synonymous with exceptional speed skating and quiet tenacity—is at the center of that change. After dating since September 2021, the couple got married on May 13, 2022, in a private ceremony. The birth of their daughter on April 11, 2025, nearly three years later, marked the beginning of a breathtakingly lovely new chapter in their love story.
Their choice to disclose significant events, particularly their IVF journey, was extremely brave in the context of Korean entertainment, where public image is carefully controlled. For a couple who are famous but guard their personal lives, every action has been deliberate. Sincerity, not show, is what drives it. They’ve managed to strike a careful balance between keeping their dignity and allowing fans to share in their happiness, from announcing their pregnancy to welcoming their baby girl.
Lee Kyou-hyuk – Bio and Career Overview (WordPress-Compatible Table)
| Full Name | Lee Kyou-hyuk (also spelled Lee Gyu-hyuk) |
|---|---|
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Date of Birth | March 16, 1978 |
| Current Age | 47 |
| Occupation | Retired Speed Skater, Olympic Athlete |
| Spouse | Son Dam Bi (married May 13, 2022) |
| Children | 1 daughter (born April 11, 2025) |
| Olympic Participation | Five-time Olympian (1994–2010) |
| Major Accolades | World Sprint Champion (2007, 2010) |
| Public Recognition | South Korea’s most decorated male speed skater |
Lee has significantly adjusted to this more subdued role by embracing fatherhood with the same discipline that characterized his athletic prime. He stood by Son Dam Bi’s side, supporting her through IVF, a process that frequently involves both physical and emotional challenges. In South Korea, where infertility-related topics are still mostly taboo, their openness has been especially helpful in changing the dialogue. By demonstrating that parenthood, even if postponed or assisted by medicine, is no less miraculous, they have made room for empathy rather than sympathy.
Son Dam Bi posted a few sweet moments from her pregnancy on social media, including a baby shower full of subtle happiness, tender black-and-white portraits, and hints of excitement. They made remarkably sincere announcements without being ostentatious. They let the pictures do the talking, and fans who were used to her glitzy past reacted with genuine enthusiasm. Her story offers a particularly novel message in a society that frequently expects women to choose between a career and a family: you can be both intensely creative and incredibly nurturing.
The dynamic personality of his wife is complemented by Lee Kyou-hyuk’s quiet charm. He was never one to chase headlines and was well-known for his Olympic focus and stoic charm. However, he has gradually changed from being a lone athlete to a cooperative partner in his off-rink life. This development has been particularly evident in the way he has handled the obligations of family life—not as a diversion from greatness, but as a new platform for it.
A growing social change is also highlighted by their marriage, which is now strengthened by parenthood. Public personalities are increasingly postponing marriage and having children—not as a way to avoid them, but rather as a way to guarantee mutual readiness and emotional maturity. Son Dam Bi and Lee Kyou-hyuk embody a more contemporary relationship ideal, based on emotional intelligence, mutual success, and long-term vision, similar to that of Rain and Kim Tae-hee or Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin. This structure is proving to be very effective at fending off the demands of celebrity.
The decision to use IVF was made sensitively rather than ostentatiously. According to news reports, their daughter was born healthy, and both mother and child were sleeping soundly. This information calmed fans and increased appreciation. Their announcement was modest, which contrasted with entertainment cycles that tend to exaggerate small achievements. Here, the message was straightforward but impactful: a child born of perseverance as well as biology.
Their daughter comes with more than just a well-known last name in terms of legacy. She comes from a household where athleticism and artistry coexist and where honesty is obviously valued more than fame. She will be raised with incredibly dependable values—discipline, compassion, and grace under pressure—whether she chooses to follow her parents‘ paths or forge her own.
Emotional intentionality is demonstrated by the couple’s choice to keep a low profile since the birth. They aren’t taking advantage of the media boom or oversaturating their feeds. By choosing quiet over noise, they are giving their daughter a childhood that is increasingly uncommon in well-known families: one that is private and protected. This is a reorientation that feels especially progressive rather than a retreat from the public.
It’s simple to observe how discipline and structure have remained consistent throughout Lee Kyou-hyuk’s career. He spent decades training for a sport that requires millisecond accuracy, and he has five Olympic medals to his name. Diaper changes and midnight feedings—actions that are less newsworthy but no less significant—now fall under the same mentality. They actually have a profoundly transformative effect.
Meanwhile, Son Dam Bi is about to embark on a particularly fruitful reinvention phase. She is embracing her role as a mother while keeping all of her former charm, making her more than just a singer or actress. Her career is unlikely to stop, but it may slow down for a while. She is demonstrating, like many modern artists, that motherhood is a remarkable recalibration rather than an end. And the future appears especially bright with a partner as committed as Lee.
Their story demonstrates not only love but also purpose. A movement toward transparency, emotional cooperation, and public authenticity rather than merely a marriage. In addition to being courageous, their choice to make their IVF experience public had a significant cultural impact. They have provided others with a realistic and hopeful road map by opting for openness over secrecy.
