Actress Lee Si Young reveals pregnancy via IVF with ex-husband, acknowledges she did it without his consent

Four months ago, actress Lee Si Young announced she and her husband of eight years were getting a divorce, and the couple have a son that was born in 2018. Recently, she rather shockingly revealed that she’s pregnant again, with the twist being that while it’s a kid with her ex, she did it through IVF and without his consent.

Hello, this is Lee Si Young.
I am currently pregnant.
The reason I am taking this opportunity to tell you first is because I believe it is better to prevent any misunderstandings or speculation that may arise in the future.
Eight years ago, when I was expecting Jeong Yoon (Lee Si Young’s first child), who is now the most precious being in my life, I was not yet married and was filming a drama at the time.
Back then, I was younger and much less mature than I am now.
And as I watched Jeong Yoon grow year by year in my arms, I spent a long time regretting and blaming myself for the moments I spent with anxiety and negativity, even if only briefly.
Because of that, I promised myself that if I were ever blessed with another baby, I would never repeat those same regrets.
During my marriage, I prepared for a second child through IVF treatment.
However, a long time passed without actually having the fertilized embryo implanted, and naturally, discussions about divorce also began to take place.
Around the time when all legal matters were being settled, the five-year storage period for the frozen embryo was coming to an end, and I was faced with a decision. Just before the embryo was to be discarded, I made the decision myself to have it implanted.
Although the other party did not agree, I intend to fully bear the weight of the decision I made.
I have always longed for a child, and I never wanted to repeat the regrets I felt with Jeong Yoon. I simply could not bring myself to discard the embryo whose storage period was about to end.
Even during the difficult times in my marriage, the only thing that kept me going was the presence of my angelic child, who filled my life with happiness, hope, and inspiration.
It is because of this miracle of a child, who makes me feel that being called “Mom” is the very reason for my existence.
There may be many challenges ahead, and I have considered all the possible scenarios, but even so, I want to believe that the choice I am making now is the more meaningful one.
I also believe that this decision will be a significant one in my life.
Looking back, what has always been most precious to me has been my child.
Through these miraculous moments that fill the gaps in my imperfect life and give me strength I never knew I had, I feel that my life is finally becoming more complete, little by little.
Right now, I am filled only with gratitude for the new life that has come to me, and I am spending my days more peacefully and happily than ever before.
I will humbly and gratefully accept any criticism or advice you may have for me in the future.
And with a heart full of gratitude for the baby who has come to me once again despite my many shortcomings, I will live my life with deep responsibility, doing my best to ensure that my child lacks nothing, even as a single parent.
Thank you for reading this long message.

Her ex-husband confirmed that he didn’t consent, but regardless, will fulfill his role as a father.

“It is true that I 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.
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.”

I’ll be honest, I’m ignorant with regards to the norms surrounding IVF, and maybe this isn’t out of the ordinary. But regardless, I feel like any time we’re talking about reproduction and consent, it makes me question when both sides agree that one of the parties did not affirm consent. I feel like agreeing to utilize IVF while happily married together is one thing, but only following through unilaterally during/after a divorce is another. The fact that she sorta admits she’s basically doing this because this might be her last chance and she desperately wants another child makes the optics even worse to me. Additionally, from some quick research, it seems that it usually requires both sides to affirm choices up to implanting the embryo, so I’m curious how this was even done without consent (maybe that simply isn’t the law in South Korea, not that it changes things morally).

Either way, obviously now that’s she already pregnant he really has no choice, and they’re going to make do. Hoping for the best.