Lee Hyori Says She Does Not Want IVF: "I Will Simply Live as Everyone's Mother"

Singer Lee Hyori and her husband, musician Lee Sang-soon, appeared as special guests on the Netflix entertainment program "Yoo Jae-suk Camp," which was released on June 2. During the episode, the couple spent time with the guests staying at the camp and shared a warm, relaxed atmosphere with them.

Lee Hyori said she felt especially comfortable because she had come to Yoo Jae-suk's camp as if she were a guest herself. She added that she enjoyed being able to talk with each person at an unhurried pace. Lee Sang-soon also told the guests that it felt like a good time together and encouraged them to enjoy the remaining hours of their stay.

After greeting the guests and returning to their room, the couple talked about one family that had left a particularly deep impression on them. Lee Hyori said she envied the way the family showed love and respect for their parents. Lee Sang-soon agreed, saying it must be meaningful for a child to respect their father so much that they want to follow his profession.

Lee Hyori was visibly moved as she said the father did not seem authoritarian at all and instead felt like a friend to his family. Lee Sang-soon responded that such closeness was possible because the father treated them well, then added with regret, "We could do that too." The brief exchange revealed how closely the couple had been watching the family's relationship and how naturally it led them to reflect on their own feelings.

Lee Hyori had previously spoken frankly about her concerns over infertility on the 2022 program "Seoul Check-in." At the time, she said she had thought about having a baby, but because of her age, it was not as easy as she had hoped. Her remarks drew attention because they were not presented as a dramatic confession, but as an honest acknowledgment of the reality she was facing.

She also discussed her position on medical intervention on "The Brother at the Tteokbokki Restaurant." Lee Hyori said she did not want to go as far as undergoing IVF treatment. She explained that if a child came to her naturally, she would be grateful and would want to give birth and raise the child, but she did not wish to rely on artificial medical assistance in order to have a second generation.

Lee Hyori also explained why the idea of having a child mattered to her emotionally. She said she wanted to experience the heart of loving and devoting herself to someone. At the same time, she added that even if she did not have a child of her own, she wanted to live like a mother to everyone, expressing a broader view of care and affection beyond biological parenthood.

Those past comments have recently resurfaced and sparked debate online. Some people argued that she should have been more considerate toward couples who are thinking about IVF treatment. Others responded that an individual's choice and values should be respected. What has drawn renewed attention is that Lee Hyori was not criticizing IVF itself, but speaking about the choice she has made for her own life.

In the latest broadcast, Lee Hyori's remark while watching the family, "We could do that too," came across as more than a simple wish for a child. It carried the sincerity of someone who wants to love and care for another person. Her emotional response to the family once again echoed her earlier statement that, even without a child of her own, she would live like everyone's mother.

Many online users said they were touched by the couple's feelings. Reactions included comments such as, "Their hearts are moving," "The choice not to do IVF should also be respected," "They are a good couple whether they have a child or not," "The way they look at family is so warm," and "It feels like Lee Hyori's one sentence contains many emotions."