Dancing bus driver and frugal wife clash over lifestyle differences

A 60-year-old bus driver and his wife debated their conflicting values on KBS 2TV's 'Malja Show', where the husband's passion for dance and need for hot water clash with the wife's extreme frugality, including maintaining a monthly electricity bill of approximately 16,000 won.

The starkly different lifestyles of a couple have become a hot topic on KBS 2TV's 'Malja Show'. The story of a bus driver in his 60s who loves dancing and a wife who practices extreme frugality filled the studio with laughter and empathy.

"Attention seeker?"... The unstoppable passion for dance of a 60-year-old bus driver

The protagonist of the first story is a man in his 60s working as a bus driver for eight years. He confessed that while he has recently gained attention for posting dance videos on social media, he is being restrained by his wife, who calls him an "attention seeker." Considering his age, the wife advises him to refrain from such activities due to concerns for his joint health, but the husband is unable to let go of his passion for being on stage.

Revealing that he was a member of a dance group active since 1983, he explained that he took up driving after the stages disappeared due to the aftermath of COVID-19, but expressed a craving for dance, noting that his joints ache if he stops moving. The cast expressed surprise at his dance moves performed on the studio stage, and the live audience also raised their voices to cheer for his activities, with many encouraging him to continue doing what he wants to do in his leisure time.

"Electricity bill of 16,000 won"... A wife's philosophy of frugality beyond minimalism

The following story featured a wife who makes no compromises when it comes to saving money. According to her husband, she is such a thorough saver that she maintains her monthly electricity bill at approximately 16,000 won. In particular, she extremely limits the use of heating during the winter, even going so far as to turn off the boiler overnight and relying on an earthenware jar (onggi) to maintain warmth while sleeping. The husband expressed his grievances, stating that he has to endure until morning by relying on the earthenware jar because his wife turns off the boiler while they sleep in winter.

The husband further detailed the hardships caused by his wife's lifestyle. He noted that while she uses hot water when dyeing her hair, he is forced to wash with cold water for the final 30 seconds of his shower to save hot water. Regarding this, the wife explained that she grew up in a time when there was no water or electricity, and that she now pursues a minimalist life by giving items to those in need. Her frugality, which includes selling items like a chair worth 300,000 won to give to people in need, is deeply rooted in her overall way of life beyond simple saving.

"It ends when we die" vs "We should live warmly"... Clashing values of life

The difference in the couple's values led to a debate over "quality of life." With income decreasing after retirement, the wife maintains the position that they must save as much as possible to prepare for the future, whereas the husband demanded hot water and heating, arguing, "It ends when we die, so we should live spending a little now." The wife emphasized the necessity of saving by repeating, "It ends when we die."

While empathizing with the importance of saving, the cast added that minimum heating and hot water use in winter is necessary for the husband's health and quality of life. The conflict between extreme frugality and the minimum consumption required for survival concluded by posing questions to viewers about their own lifestyles.

Source: original video (YouTube)