Singer Tae Jin-a, 7 years into caring for wife with dementia, says her decline has stopped

Singer Tae Jin-a has shared an update on his wife Lee Ok-hyung, known by her stage name Ok-kyung-i, who has been battling dementia for seven years.

According to Newsis, a "Van Live" video featuring Tae Jin-a was released Saturday on the YouTube channel "Miss & Mister Trot."

In the video, fellow singer Ahn Sung-hoon expressed admiration for his sunbae, saying, "One of the most moving things about you is that you often bring your wife along to your schedules. How is it possible to show that kind of deep, constant love?"

Tae Jin-a opened up in response. "She has every right to receive everything from me, and I have an obligation to do whatever I can for her," he said.

He then recalled how the couple first met. "When we met in the United States in 1981, I was a nobody. I followed her around for more than six months — I would go stand in front of her house just to catch a glimpse of her. In the middle of all that, my mother passed away back in Korea. I had no money and could not go back. My younger sibling sent me photos from the funeral. I cried in front of Ok-kyung-i, and she said, 'Stop crying — I'll go out with you.' That's how we got together," he said.

Tae Jin-a also expressed gratitude for his wife's support throughout his career. "After our son Iru was born, she was always by my side — she taught me English and came with me to events. I have done well for myself today because of her, so I have to do everything I can for her," he said.

On her current health, he said: "Because of the dementia, she used to come to the broadcast station in a wheelchair. Lately she does not even like that much — it is not that it is too hard, she just does not like going outside. This summer was especially hot, so I did not take her out. Once fall comes, I am planning to bring her out again."

He added, "The progression of her dementia has stopped. It has been almost a year since it leveled off. I am so grateful."