Legendary Wrestler Lee Man-gi Melts at the Sight of His Triplet Grandchildren — The Full Heartwarming Story

Korea’s iconic wrestling champion Lee Man-gi is practically a different person these days. This is the man who boldly declared, “I’m fine — I’ll see the babies after they turn one,” when told he’d need vaccinations before meeting his newborn grandchildren. The very next day? He was at the local health clinic rolling up his sleeve. That’s what triplet grandchildren will do to you. Since the arrival of his son’s triplets in May 2026, Lee Man-gi’s entire world has flipped upside down — and fans watching it unfold on his YouTube channel Man-gi TV have been laughing and crying right along with him.

Meet Geon-yul, Da-yul, and So-yul — The Triplets Who Stole Everyone’s Hearts

Lee Man-gi’s eldest son welcomed triplets in May 2026 — one boy, Geon-yul, and two girls, Da-yul and So-yul. The proud new grandfather broke the news on KBS1’s morning show Achimdang on May 5th, beaming from ear to ear. “I’m finally a grandfather,” he announced. “And not just one — three at once!” Because the babies arrived as triplets, they were immediately placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for specialized medical care, meaning Lee Man-gi and his wife couldn’t hold them right away — a bittersweet reality for any grandparent bursting with excitement.

“We Can’t Wait to Meet You” — Grandma’s Emotional SNS Debut

On May 12th, Lee Man-gi’s wife Han Suk-hee posted the very first photos of the triplets on Instagram, captioning them: “Geon-yul, Da-yul, So-yul — our three new angels.” The images showed the newborns lying side by side in the NICU, and the internet collectively lost it. “The genes don’t lie — they look just like him,” one commenter wrote. “The most beautiful newborns I’ve ever seen,” said another. Han Suk-hee closed her post with a message straight from the heart: “See you soon, our little Yul siblings” — four simple words that said everything about how much she missed them already.

Even the Great-Grandmother Was Moved to Tears — What 87-Year-Old Grandma Said First

The joy rippled through the entire family. On May 21st, Man-gi TV uploaded a video of Lee Man-gi’s 87-year-old mother-in-law (affectionately nicknamed “Jerry”) seeing the triplets for the very first time. Her reaction was pure gold. “What a blessing for this family,” she said, visibly moved. “In this day and age, having three children at once — do you know how rare and precious that is?” Lee Man-gi proudly showed her the photos, adding, “Big eyes, big nose — just look at them.” In a country where birth rates have hit historic lows, a set of triplets felt less like a personal milestone and more like a small miracle that lifted everyone’s spirits.

The Mighty Champion Becomes a Completely Smitten Grandpa

Lee Man-gi had predicted this himself during a broadcast: “They always say you turn into a total fool the moment grandchildren arrive. I raised my sons, but grandchildren — I have a feeling that’s going to be something else entirely.” He had no idea how right he was. The man who once dominated Korea’s wrestling arenas, who swore up and down he’d wait until after the babies’ first birthday to meet them, caved within 24 hours and sprinted to get his vaccinations. As the saying goes: there are no champions in front of grandchildren. By July, footage aired on Man-gi TV of Lee Man-gi finally cradling all three babies in his arms — that wide, unstoppable grin of his saying more than any words ever could.

Man-gi TV: Where Subscribers Are Helping Raise the Triplets Together

Man-gi TV has been capturing the whole triplet journey episode by episode, and viewers simply can’t get enough. From the great-grandmother’s tearful first reaction, to honest glimpses of the exhausting realities of triple parenting, to the breathtaking moment Lee Man-gi held his grandchildren for the first time — every video floods the comment section with responses like “I actually cried,” “This reminds me of my own family,” and “Grow up healthy, little ones!” What started as a celebrity YouTube channel has quietly transformed into something much more: a family channel where strangers feel like they’re watching their own grandchildren grow. At a time when South Korea’s low birth rate has become a national crisis, the story of Lee Man-gi’s triplet grandchildren carries a warmth that feels almost defiant — and deeply necessary.

The Beautiful Reality Behind Raising Triplets

Of course, joy and exhaustion make excellent roommates. Even Lee Man-gi acknowledged on air that his son “keeps walking around with his shoulders drooping.” And that’s completely understandable — raising one newborn in today’s world is already a marathon; raising three simultaneously is an ultramarathon with no finish line in sight. Lee Man-gi joked that the solution was simple: “My wife takes one, my daughter-in-law takes one, and my son takes one.” But in reality, triplet parenting is a round-the-clock physical and emotional endurance test. Child development experts consistently note that the first six months are the most grueling stretch for families with multiples. That’s why understanding the government support available to multiple-birth families is genuinely important — not just helpful, but essential.

• Multiple-birth birth support vouchers: Confirm eligibility for additional “First Meeting” voucher payments for triplets
• NICU health insurance coverage: Know the duration and limits of your national health insurance benefits in advance
• Triplet-specific baby gear: Look into community group buys for triple strollers, nursing pillows, and other multiples essentials
• Local government childcare services: Check whether your municipality offers dedicated support programs for twins and triplets

The Greatest Champion’s Greatest Win Yet

The man who dominated Korea’s ssireum wrestling scene throughout the 1980s and 90s is now stepping into an entirely new kind of golden era — as grandfather to three. That single shot of Lee Man-gi on Man-gi TV, cradling his grandchildren with the biggest smile of his life, has moved more people than any championship trophy ever could. Geon-yul, Da-yul, and So-yul didn’t just give Lee Man-gi a grandfather title. They handed him a second youth.

Sources

• Lee Man-gi becomes a grandfather — triplet grandchildren’s faces revealed: “Just waiting for the day we meet” – Star News Korea
• Lee Man-gi’s wife shows off triplet grandchildren: “Our little angels — can’t wait to meet them” – Money Today
• Lee Man-gi’s 87-year-old mother-in-law overcome with emotion at triplet great-grandchildren: “What a blessing” – Sports Chosun
• “One boy, two girls” — Lee Man-gi becomes triplet grandfather, joy mixed with worry: “How do we raise three?” – Sports Chosun
• Lee Man-gi reveals triplet grandchildren — the bittersweet reason he hasn’t met them yet – MHN