Yoon Mi-ra, 74, shares her unconventional views on men and marriage

Yoon Mi-ra [YouTube channel 'Yoon Mi-ra']
Yoon Mi-ra [YouTube channel 'Yoon Mi-ra']

Actor Yoon Mi-ra, 74, has sparked conversation after claiming that 90 percent of married men are unfaithful.

Yoon made the remarks Sunday on SBS's variety program My Little Old Boy, suggesting that staying single has helped her maintain a youthful appearance — in part because she has never had to endure the stress of a husband's infidelity.

During the episode, Yoon sat down for a meal with her younger sister and chatted about romance and marriage.

Yoon said she often hears that she looks younger than her age. "People ask me why I have no wrinkles at 75," she said, adding that she credited her looks to good genes. "I think I was just born this way, thanks to my parents."

She also suggested that never marrying had contributed to her youthful looks. "Don't married people age faster because they're always worrying about their husbands and children?" she said.

Yoon then recalled advice from an older acquaintance. "An older woman I know told me that what stresses women out the most is their husbands," she said. "Isn't it common for men to go out and cheat?"

When her sister pushed back — "Not all of them do that" — Yoon was unfazed. "I'd say 90 percent do," she said. "Men are always drawn to women they've never met before."

She went on to say that avoiding marriage may have helped her preserve her looks. "I think not doing that — not getting married — is part of why I've kept my appearance. There are pros and cons to everything," she added.

Yoon also said she had not given up on finding a partner. "I haven't given up either. I'm sure my match is out there," she said.

On her ideal type, she said she used to prefer older men. "I always liked older men — I thought he had to be at least a year or two older than me," she said. "But now, four years older is too much. It's different from when I was young." The remark drew laughter.

Born in 1952, Yoon made her debut in 1969 with "Saranghago Isseoyo" (I Am in Love) and is considered one of the celebrated beauties of Korean cinema in the 1970s. She won a best actress award from a terrestrial broadcaster for her performances in the 1990s drama series "Seoul-ui Dal" (Moon Over Seoul) and "Jeong Ttaemune" (Because of Love).


jshan@heraldcorp.com