A Korean star couple opened up about the numerous failed IVF attempts they experienced in the past two years, sparking heartbreak among viewers.
On the 26th, the SBS show Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 – You Are My Destiny featured the couple Park Gun, a singer and TV personality, and Han Young, a singer and broadcaster. They shared an update about purchasing a 1,452-square-meter land in Goesan, Chungbuk, and preparing a second house there.
During the broadcast, Park Gun said, “It’s already been four years. It feels like I’ve lived for about 48 years.” Han Young responded, “I think it’s been about 10 years for me.” Park Gun carefully added, “You really went through so much without telling anyone. You’re someone proud and responsible, but while doing home shopping work and trying IVF, you didn’t tell anyone. That must’ve been really hard.”
It was revealed that Han Young had been continuously attempting IVF treatments for the past two years. Park Gun explained, “That’s why her face looked swollen all the time when we appeared on the show.” Kim Gu Ra commented, “IVF involves taking ovulation-stimulating injections, which is really tough,” and Lee Ji Hye, who has experience with IVF, added empathetically, “That makes anyone understandably sensitive.”
Park Gun said, “She doesn’t eat less and exercises hard, so the swelling must be from the hormonal changes during IVF,” to which Han Young replied, “It’s weight gain and swelling. But it wasn’t just resting; it was continuous treatment every month for two years. Egg retrievals and multiple embryo transfers — we did it nonstop, so my body endured a lot.”
She shockingly revealed that in two years, she underwent egg retrieval 24 times and attempted embryo transfer 7 times. Park Gun said, “She really went through a lot and suffered so much. People assume swelling means poor care when you’re on home shopping, which was painful, but she couldn’t say anything about it.”
Kim Jun Ho, whose wife Kim Ji Min is currently preparing for IVF, said, “It’s amazing. Our first time, Ji Min’s legs swelled, and symptoms differ for everyone. We had to massage a lot, but 24 times… I can’t even finish my sentence.”
Park Gun explained, “The hardest part is the hormonal changes plus taking immune-suppressing injections to increase success rates, which lowers whatever immunity you had.” Lee Hyun explained, “It’s to help the embryo implant well.” Park Gun added, “That’s why it’s really hard. I wondered why she didn’t tell anyone and endured it all alone.”
Han Young shared honestly, “Nowadays people talk about IVF a lot, but even if I were undergoing it now, I don’t think I’d say anything. Though it’s meant as kindness, comforting words like that don’t really help.”
She continued, “It’s very sensitive and miserable. I told him a lot at the time, asking for understanding because it was due to IVF. But I unknowingly got very sensitive and I feel sorry even though I knew it afterward.” Park Gun said, “I think it was truly hard back then. You endured so much. I should have been more thoughtful, listened to everything when you were sensitive, but I was always busy, so I regret not doing that.”
Han Young concluded, “I understand. But I think I did everything I could. When I reached my limit and couldn’t go on, I decided to stop IVF. We agreed to live happily together.” Park Gun replied, “As long as we’re happy — the three of us, including Oh Wol (pet dog).” Kim Sook, watching them, expressed deep emotion, saying, “You did your best.”
Park Gun said, “That’s right. I’m very grateful to my wife. I have no family — I’m an only child with no relatives. She wanted to make a family with my blood and was the one to suggest it first. I was thankful for her heart, but since she suffered so much, I said it was okay. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t. If Grandmother Samshin (goddess of childbirth) gifts us a precious life, we’ll raise it well, and if not, we’ll just be happy as we are.”
Seo Jang Hoon joked, “You’ve done enough, now Park Gun just has to play the roles of husband and son well,” bringing laughter.
Meanwhile, Park Gun married Han Young, who is eight years older than him, in 2022.