Son Dam-bi Opens Up About Emotional Journey of Motherhood and IVF on TV Chosun

K-pop singer and actress Son Dam-bi has shared her deeply touching journey from IVF treatment to childbirth for the first time on TV Chosun’s new reality show. Alongside her husband, former speed skating champion Lee Kyou-hyuk, she appears on the show after facing fertility challenges, highlighting their experience as first-time parents.

Diagnosed with placenta previa—a condition where the placenta blocks the birth canal—Son Dam-bi was at high risk for bleeding during childbirth. Despite the complications, both mother and baby were delivered safely via cesarean section.

“Meeting someone so tiny and precious, I was overwhelmed to a point where I questioned if I really gave birth myself,” she recalled.

When asked why she chose to appear on the show, Son Dam-bi said, “Childbirth itself was overwhelming, but I thought it would be a beautiful memory to have moments of our baby’s birth captured on video. With low birth rates being a pressing issue, I believed sharing this experience could carry meaning.” She hopes the footage will serve as a treasured memory for her daughter in the future.

Reflecting on her pregnancy, she mentioned feeling relatively fine during the period without severe symptoms, but admitted she was worried due to the medical complications. “Thankfully, the surgery went well thanks to the medical staff. It wasn’t until I heard later just how difficult the operation was that I truly grasped the situation’s seriousness.”

The couple underwent IVF, facing the emotional toll of a failed first attempt. “We cried when we found out we were expecting after the second try. Our daughter feels even more precious after all we went through,” Son said. Their baby, Hae-yi, was born weighing 2.68kg.

Describing her first encounter post-surgery, she said, “I recovered quickly and was able to see my baby the next day. Looking at her through the glass brought me to tears. She looked far smaller than I imagined, and I was afraid to even hold her at first.”

Son Dam-bi hopes her story inspires others and provides hope, especially for people considering late marriages or experiencing pregnancy challenges. “I want people to know that it’s possible to have a healthy baby even later in life. I stayed positive throughout my pregnancy and hope that comes through in the broadcast.”

She ended by expressing gratitude for the support and emphasized her commitment to raising a healthy and happy child.