Lee Si-young announces IVF pregnancy months after divorce
South Korean actress Lee Si-young announced she is pregnant with her ex-husband's baby, conceived through in vitro fertilization using his frozen embryo created five years ago.
In a statement on her Instagram account, Si-young explained the circumstances of her pregnancy to prevent any misunderstandings and speculation that might arise in the future.
She said that when she had her first child, Jeong Hyuk, eight years ago, she was married to her husband and was filming a drama.
"As I watched Jeong-yoon grow year by year in my arms, I often regretted the moments I spent with fear and negativity, and I blamed myself for them for a long time. Because of that, I made a promise to myself that if I were ever blessed with a new life again, I would never repeat those regrets," she said, according to a translation by K-en News.
"During my marriage, I prepared for a second child through IVF. However, time passed without having the embryo implanted, and eventually, the topic of divorce came up naturally," she continued.
Just as legal matters were being finalized, the Boys Over Flowers star found out that the expiration date of the five-year frozen fetus was approaching. Because of this, she decided to have the embryo implanted despite it being opposed by her ex-husband.
"Although my former husband did not consent, I intend to carry the weight of my decision entirely," she stressed.
"I have always wanted another child, and I did not want to repeat the regrets I experienced with Jeong-yoon. I simply could not bring myself to discard the embryo that I had preserved with such care," she added.
She highlighted how Jeong-yoon was the one who helped her "endure the difficult years of marriage" and have her "overwhelming happiness, hope, and emotion."
"Being called 'Mom' has felt like my true reason for existing, all thanks to this miraculous child. I know that many challenges may lie ahead, and I considered every possible scenario. But even so, I believe this choice is one of the most meaningful and valuable decisions I could make," Si-young said.
"Looking back, the most precious part of my life has always been my child. Through the miraculous moments that filled my imperfect life and gave me strength I didn't know I had, I've slowly felt more whole. Right now, I feel nothing but gratitude toward the new life growing inside me, and I am experiencing a sense of peace and happiness like never before," she ended.
In a report by Koreaboo, Si-young's ex-husband confirmed that he "did not consent to the second pregnancy."
"However, since we are already expecting the second child, I plan to fulfill my responsibilities as a father. If there is anything necessary for pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, I plan to discuss it with her and proceed with it," he underscored.
"Even after breaking up with her, we have communicated about raising our first child. The same goes for our second child. As a mother and father, we will both do our best," he added.
Si-young and her husband divorced after eight years of marriage in March earlier this year. The two tied the knot in 2017 and gave birth to their first child in 2018.
