Sechs Kies' Ko Ji-yong reveals divorce after two-year wait for son

Ko Ji-yong, a former member of Sechs Kies, has personally announced his divorce from his wife, Heo Yang-im, two years after the split. While the news came as a surprise, his long silence was driven by a desire to protect his son, Seung-jae.

On the 29th, Ko stated via SNS, "I divorced my wife two years ago." He also cautiously explained why he had not disclosed the news until now.

"The reason I did not disclose it until now was that I wanted to protect Seung-jae so that he could fully accept the situation and grow up stably," he shared. He emphasized that he prioritized his child's well-being as a parent over the changes in his marital status.

"The divorce was a decision made to respect each other's paths and to fulfill our responsibilities as adults in our respective places," Ko continued, noting that the choice was not born of conflict, but of mutual respect for each other's lives.

Regarding Seung-jae's current well-being, Ko noted, "He understands the new relationship between his mom and dad, and is doing well and staying stable now." It appears the family waited for the child to process the change before cautiously sharing the news with the public.

Ko made it clear that while their relationship as a married couple has ended, their roles as parents remain unchanged.

"I will continue to do my best as a father," he stated, adding, "Although we have parted ways as a married couple, we are doing well while supporting each other." The two intend to fulfill their responsibilities to ensure their son's growth and happiness.

The announcement was intended to prevent future misunderstandings. "I wish to inform the facts through this post to prevent any potential misunderstandings moving forward," Ko explained.

He also requested privacy, stating, "Please refrain from asking personal questions, and I would be grateful if you could continue to watch over us with warm eyes." He expressed a firm stance against excessive speculation or invasion of privacy regarding this family matter.

Ko and Heo married in December 2013 and welcomed their son, Seung-jae, in 2014. The family gained widespread popularity through the KBS2 variety program "The Return of Superman," which showcased their daily lives.

The pure charm of young Seung-jae and Ko's affectionate parenting left a deep impression on viewers, and the pair continued to garner interest for their strong father-son chemistry long after the show aired.

Ko, who debuted with Sechs Kies in 1997, transitioned into business following the group's disbandment. Recently, he has been communicating with fans via TikTok live broadcasts and participating in various social contribution activities.

While Ko once shared his family life with the public, his recent disclosure was centered entirely on his role as a father. His decision to remain silent for two years to prioritize his son's stability is being viewed not just as a divorce announcement, but as a deeply considered decision by a parent.