It started with a swipe. Then a flight. Then a positive pregnancy test that changed everything. Honestly, if you watched 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way Season 1, you probably thought Deavan Clegg and Jihoon Lee were the "it" couple of the franchise. They were young. They were edgy. They had that "us against the world" vibe that fans eat up. But looking back at 90 Day Fiancé: Deavan and Jihoon our journey so far, it’s clear the foundation was made of sand. Total chaos.
Most reality TV couples have a bit of drama for the cameras, but this was different. This was a cultural collision at 100 miles per hour. Deavan, a single mom from Utah, met Jihoon, a guy from Seoul who worked part-time delivering cell phones, on a dating app. He flew to Vegas. They spent one night together. Suddenly, Deavan was pregnant with their son, Taeyang. That’s where the "journey" actually begins—not with a romantic proposal, but with a frantic scramble to figure out if two people who barely knew each other could actually be parents in a foreign country.
The Reality Check in Seoul
When Deavan finally packed up her life and moved to South Korea, the fantasy died almost immediately. You might remember the apartment. Or rather, the lack of one. Jihoon had promised he had a great job and a place for them to live. He didn't.
He was broke. He had debt from a previous legal issue involving selling lost or stolen phones—something he downplayed until it was impossible to hide. Watching Deavan walk through a cramped, somewhat dingy neighborhood while pushing a stroller was heartbreaking. She expected a K-drama lifestyle. She got a cold dose of reality.
90 Day Fiancé: Deavan and Jihoon our journey so far wasn't just about money, though. It was about trust. Jihoon lied. A lot. He admitted it on camera, too. He told her he had a high-paying job just to get her to move, thinking he could "figure it out" once she arrived. That is a recipe for a breakup. No question.
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The Cultural Divide and the Translator Device
We have to talk about that translator device. It was basically a third character in their marriage. It was awful. Half the time, the translations were wrong, turning mild frustrations into massive insults. It’s hard to build a life with someone when you literally cannot speak their language without a glitchy piece of plastic between you.
It wasn't just the language, either. Deavan struggled with Korean societal expectations. Jihoon’s parents, while eventually supportive, were initially skeptical of a woman who already had a child (Drascilla) from a previous relationship. In a conservative Korean context, that’s a big deal. Deavan felt isolated. Jihoon felt pressured. The tension was palpable in every scene they filmed.
The Breaking Point and the Aftermath
The "journey" ended much faster than anyone expected. By the time the Season 2 Tell All rolled around, Deavan was back in America. The split wasn't just a breakup; it was a war.
There were allegations. Serious ones. Deavan claimed there was an incident involving Jihoon and her daughter, Drascilla. Jihoon denied it. The fandom split down the middle. Some people saw Deavan as a woman trying to protect her kids, while others saw her as someone who jumped into a new relationship with Topher Park far too quickly.
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Honestly, the social media fallout was worse than the show. They spent months trading jabs on Instagram. Jihoon started a GoFundMe for legal fees to see Taeyang. Deavan posted about her new life. It was messy, public, and genuinely sad for the children involved.
Where They Stand Today
If you're looking for a happy ending in the 90 Day Fiancé: Deavan and Jihoon our journey so far timeline, you won't find it in their relationship. You'll find it in their growth as individuals.
Deavan has moved on completely. She had another child with Topher Park. But life threw her a massive curveball when Taeyang was diagnosed with childhood leukemia. This changed the narrative entirely. The petty drama of reality TV didn't matter anymore. It became about a little boy fighting for his life.
Jihoon, meanwhile, has largely disappeared from the public eye. His Instagram goes through phases of being active and then completely scrubbed. It seems he’s trying to live a private life in Korea, though the distance between him and his son remains a point of massive contention and speculation among fans.
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Why This Couple Specifically Matters
Why do we still talk about them? Because they represent the "worst-case scenario" of international dating. They didn't have a plan. They relied on "love" and a translator app.
- Financial Transparency: You cannot move across the world for someone who isn't honest about their bank account.
- Cultural Homework: Deavan didn't seem to understand the nuances of Korean life, and Jihoon didn't understand the independent streak of an American mom.
- The "Band-Aid" Baby: Having a child to save a relationship or rushing a move because of a pregnancy almost never works out under the glare of reality TV cameras.
The saga of Deavan and Jihoon is a cautionary tale. It’s a reminder that the "journey" isn't just about the stamps in your passport; it's about the uncomfortable conversations you have before you even buy the ticket.
Actionable Insights for Reality TV Fans and Long-Distance Couples:
- Verify before you fly: If you're in a long-distance relationship, demand financial transparency. It sounds unromantic, but so is being homeless in a foreign country.
- Learn the language: Don't rely on a device. If you're moving to a country, learn the basics before you land. It shows respect and prevents 90% of the "lost in translation" fights.
- Watch the early seasons: If you want to see where it all went wrong, re-watch Season 1 of The Other Way. Look for the red flags—the lies about the job, the lack of preparation. It’s an education in what not to do.
- Follow the health updates: If you want to support the family today, focus on Taeyang’s recovery. Deavan often shares updates on his treatment, which is a far more important "journey" than any reality show plotline.
The story of Deavan and Jihoon is officially over, but the lessons from their time on screen stay relevant. It was a wild ride, a lot of tears, and a very public ending that serves as a stark reminder: love might be blind, but reality is always 20/20.