Hyun Jin-young reveals stopping 17 IVF attempts to protect wife

Singer Hyun Jin-young revealed on a KBS1 program on the 4th that he and his wife, Oh Seo-woon, decided to stop 17 in vitro fertilization attempts after he witnessed the psychological pain she endured during the process.

Singer Hyun Jin-young has revealed that he and his wife, Oh Seo-woon, attempted in vitro fertilization (IVF) 17 times to have a child, but ultimately decided to give up on the dream of childbirth. While his wife continued to want a child, Hyun Jin-young confessed that he was the one who decided to stop the process after witnessing the psychological pain she endured during the repeated procedures. The story of the couple, who struggled for a long time to become parents, has drawn sympathy.

During the broadcast of the KBS1 entertainment program 'Living Together with Hwang Shin-hye' on the 4th, first-generation hip-hop singer Hyun Jin-young, known for his 1990s mega-hit "You in My Faded Memories," appeared. On this day, he shared deep stories, candidly discussing everything from childhood wounds to his married life with his wife, long-standing mental difficulties, and plans for a child.

Hyun Jin-young confessed that he experienced psychological instability after losing his mother when he was 12 years old. "Because she passed away when I was 12, my personality stopped at 12, so all my thinking returns to that time," he explained, noting that when unexpected situations occur, he sometimes reverts to the emotions and behaviors of his childhood rather than responding or judging according to his current age. He also revealed that this can sometimes lead to impulsive or violent reactions.

The person who watched over him and managed his daily life was his wife, Oh Seo-woon. Hyun Jin-young stated that before going out, his wife has him read precautions three times, such as "Don't talk to everyone" or "Don't do this." "That helps a lot," he said, adding, "After doing that, I think one more time before reacting. Even if the reaction is late, because I think first, I don't act like I used to." He did not hide his gratitude for his wife, who understands his weaknesses and provides practical help.

The connection between the two dates back to 2000. Oh Seo-woon is an actress who debuted in the 1995 KBS youth drama "New Generation Report: Adults Don't Know" and has appeared in the drama "Love Story in Harvard," "My Lovely Sam Soon," and the movie "Cinderella." She has also worked as a businesswoman operating an online shopping mall.

Hyun Jin-young and Oh Seo-woon became a legal couple after registering their marriage at the Gangnam-gu Office in Seoul in June 2011, and held their wedding ceremony at a hotel in Seoul two years later after it had been delayed due to various circumstances. It has also been reported that when Hyun Jin-young's psychological instability became severe during their dating period, Oh Seo-woon decided to have him hospitalized for treatment. Hyun Jin-young previously confessed that his wife hospitalized him in a psychiatric hospital because she judged he could be in a dangerous situation due to panic disorder and depression. He stated that his condition improved after receiving treatment and continuing various activities.

The time the couple endured together also included earnest efforts to have a child. After marriage, the two challenged IVF 17 times because they wanted a child. In preparation for the procedures, Hyun Jin-young changed his lifestyle habits, such as quitting smoking for more than three months and losing more than 7kg. Oh Seo-woon, who is in her mid-40s, also continued the challenge to meet a child despite fears regarding menopause.

However, despite the long efforts, they did not achieve the result of pregnancy, and the couple eventually decided to stop the IVF procedures. When Yang Jung-a asked, "Do you not have a baby? Are you planning not to have one?" Hyun Jin-young replied, "We tried IVF, but it didn't go well. I heard it is very hard for women mentally if they do IVF and don't have a baby."

In particular, Hyun Jin-young added to the sadness by revealing that his wife still wanted a child more, but he was the one who suggested stopping. "Actually, my wife wanted to do more, but I told her let's not do it," he said. It appears he judged that it would be difficult to continue further challenges while watching the physical and mental burden the repeated procedures left on his wife.

As if conscious of the heavy atmosphere, Hyun Jin-young attempted to induce laughter by adding a joke, "Since I am royalty, I have to continue the lineage; I am a descendant of King Kim Suro. It's because I am of the Gimhae Heo clan (real name Heo Hyeon-seok)." Although the couple's long-standing challenge to have a child has ended, his confession on this day prompted reflection on the reality they had to endure to have a child and the time the couple spent protecting each other during that process.

Read the original (Korean)