Season 30 Ok-soon's dilemma: Marriage vs. childbirth timing

Season 30 Ok-soon from 'I Am SOLO' is facing a deep dilemma regarding the timing of childbirth and her upcoming newlywed life. She is torn between her desire to fully enjoy her marriage before having a child and the advice from those around her that, considering her age, it would be better to hurry the process. As opinions differed even among the participants, the realistic anxieties surrounding marriage and childbirth were clearly revealed.

On the 17th, a video titled "Are you happy?" was released on the YouTube content 'In Front of the Wedding Hall.' In this broadcast, Season 28 Ok-soon, Season 30 Ok-soon, and Season 32 Ok-soon—who share the commonality of having met their partners through 'I Am SOLO'—gathered to share stories about marriage, dating, and newlywed life.

Season 28 Ok-soon remarried Season 28 Young-ho and is currently pregnant with her second child. Season 30 Ok-soon is preparing for marriage with Season 30 Young-soo. As the three individuals, who formed connections through the same program, gathered in one place, stories about their respective dating and marriage processes flowed naturally.

Season 30 Ok-soon previously drew attention for receiving a grand proposal from Young-soo, which included a high-end luxury watch. However, Ok-soon, the actual recipient of the proposal, confessed that she was completely unaware of the situation at the time.

She stated, "I think everyone else realized it back then, but I am not very perceptive and tend to take what others say at face value."

It was further explained that during the proposal, Young-soo staged the situation to look like they were filming promotional content related to the Kota Kinabalu Tourism Board. Ok-soon recalled, "Young-soo told me it was for the Kota Kinabalu Tourism Board, so I thought we were filming a promotional video. I thought I was making a promotional video, but it turned out he had deceived me with a lie."

Realistic concerns were also evident in the wedding preparation process. Ok-soon revealed that they are preparing by setting a wedding budget first and then allocating costs by item. However, she noted that they decided not to skimp on the wedding hall itself.

She said, "We set a budget and decided to 'distribute it well within this limit,' but the one thing we decided not to save on was the hall. I definitely wanted a bright hall, but I told Young-soo to do it however he wanted."

The problem was that finding a wedding hall she liked was harder than expected. This was because she wanted a bright atmosphere while also having to consider the location and meal costs. Ok-soon explained, "It was hard to find a bright hall, and it took a long time to find a place that was decent when considering the location and meal costs."

Another concern that emerged for the bride-to-be was the timing of childbirth. Revealing that she is currently 35 years old, Ok-soon confessed that she is confused because the advice from those around her regarding pregnancy and childbirth varies.

She said, "Since I am 35, I am entering the stage of advanced maternal age. People tell me that every single year makes a difference. I want to enjoy my newlywed life, but some say, 'You should just have a baby quickly,' while others say, 'No, you absolutely need your newlywed period.'"

She added, "I don't know what fits me best."

This means she is debating whether to prepare for pregnancy immediately after marriage or to spend a certain period of time enjoying life as a couple during their honeymoon phase. While marriage and childbirth do not necessarily have to follow the same timetable, it is by no means a simple choice for the individuals involved because various variables such as age, personal health status, and pregnancy plans exist.

A CEO of a matchmaking agency appearing in the video suggested that if one is keeping childbirth in mind, they need to carefully consider the choice of postponing newlywed life. He argued, "To enjoy the newlywed life, you are already at an age where..." and suggested that if they want a child, they should also consider the possibility of regretting it later if they wait.

He expressed his view, saying, "Still, if you think about having a child, I think concerns will arise later. Rather than regretting it then, it would be better to make a choice that prevents regret."

However, a counterargument was presented. MC Minam Jae-hyeong said, "I would want to travel around for at least a year." His intention was that rather than rushing childbirth immediately after marriage, a couple needs time to fully experience their newlywed life.

When the matchmaking CEO retorted, "You can just travel after getting pregnant," Season 32 Ok-soon presented a realistic variable. She said, "It might not work out. Morning sickness could be severe." She pointed out that one cannot assume that they can maintain previously planned trips or daily life after becoming pregnant.

Season 28 Ok-soon, who is currently pregnant with her second child, added, "It doesn't always go as planned." Speaking from the perspective of someone actually experiencing pregnancy and childbirth, she noted that the process does not always proceed according to plan.

The core of this conversation is not about a single correct answer to 'enjoy the honeymoon first or hurry childbirth,' but rather the fact that life's timetable after marriage can differ for everyone. Especially since childbirth timing is influenced by a complex mix of individual values, biological and medical factors, and a couple's specific situation, it is an area where it is difficult to establish a uniform standard based solely on the experiences or advice of others.

Ok-soon's dilemma can be seen not as a matter of right or wrong, but as a process of a person approaching marriage designing their own future. As relationships that began through the dating show 'I Am SOLO' move into the stage of actual marriage, realistic decision-making—distinct from the excitement seen on screen—emerges.

In particular, as the conversation expands from budget setting and wedding hall priorities to memories of proposals and future family planning, it demonstrates that the lives of 'I Am SOLO' participants truly begin after the broadcast ends.

'I Am SOLO' has consistently garnered attention because it features the real-life dating and marriage of ordinary participants. As meetings on the show lead to real-world families, the public interest expands to include issues such as housing, wedding ceremonies, financial planning, and childbirth and parenting.

Ok-soon and Young-soo are now moving from the dating phase into the new stage of marriage. While the dramatic proposal featuring a luxury watch and the search for a bright wedding hall show the romantic side of marriage, the reality of budgets, lifestyle planning, and future family plans lies beneath the surface.

For Ok-soon, the choice between 'one year of newlywed life' and 'childbirth timing' is more than just a schedule adjustment. It is about prioritizing her life and how she and her spouse, Young-soo, will design their future together. The video drew attention for candidly revealing the realistic concerns many engaged couples face at this very juncture.