Singer Lee Hyori said she would leave it to the flow of nature, while actress Lee Si-young chose technology, stating she cannot give up life. The contrasting responses of the two top celebrities to the same question regarding pregnancy are once again drawing attention. The extreme choices surrounding in-vitro fertilization reflect the Korean society's gaze that places responsibility for pregnancy and childbirth on women.

On the 8th, Lee Si-young revealed her pregnancy with her second child through her social media. This comes about three months after she disclosed her divorce proceedings from her ex-husband in March. As the preservation period for the frozen embryos from in-vitro fertilization during her marriage was coming to an end, Lee Si-young decided to proceed with the implantation, stating she cannot give up life, and she is currently pregnant. The expected due date is reported to be at the end of this year.

In particular, the overlap of the timing of the divorce and the pregnancy has raised questions about her ex-husband's consent. Regarding this, her ex-husband, Mr. A, stated in an interview with a media outlet, "Initially, I did not give consent, but I will take responsibility as the biological father." It is reported that there were no legal issues, but the differing views between Lee Si-young and her ex-spouse regarding the embryo implantation are drawing public attention.

On the same day, Lee Hyori appeared as a guest on MBC Radio's 'Perfect Day with Lee Sang-soon,' hosted by her husband. During the broadcast, she displayed a cautious attitude, mentioning the burdens that come with public appearances, stating, "When you say a lot, there are consequences." Along with this, her past remarks have garnered renewed attention.

In 2022, Lee Hyori stated on the MBC Everyone show 'Oppas at the Tteokbokki House,' "I do not want to do in-vitro fertilization. I want to do it naturally," expressing her intention to stick to natural conception despite the risks of advanced maternal age. This statement had a significant impact at the time and continues to spark debate about women's methods of conception.

Amidst heated debates, the reality is there are no absolute answers. Lee Si-young's decision to attempt the procedure despite having a first child without a spouse stands in contrast to Lee Hyori's challenge for natural conception as someone born in 1979. While some praise Lee Si-young, others read Lee Hyori's choice as 'refusal of in-vitro fertilization.' Between those who respect Lee Hyori's 'conviction' and those who cannot understand Lee Si-young's choice, there exists an insurmountable divide.

The only common ground between the two extremes is the longing for a second child, yet their methods of choosing their families differ. Furthermore, no matter how much it may seem like everything is public and the rights to forget are stripped away from top stars, that does not mean the public can involve themselves in the structure of these individuals' families. Nonetheless, the choices of Lee Hyori and Lee Si-young draw attention not as a matter of who is right or wrong, but as a symbol of the realities and weight of decisions faced by women in this era.

Korean society still strongly demands responsibility for pregnancy and childbirth from women. The controversy surrounding Lee Hyori's remarks and the admiration and support for Lee Si-young's decision ultimately stem from the same roots. The essential existence of women to witness the biological connection of their children cannot be replaced by any technology, and therefore women continue to hold significant responsibility in pregnancy and childbirth.

The sense of responsibility stemming from this fact continues to weigh heavily on Korean society. The desire to be free from the implications of pregnancy, which cannot be perfectly replaced by money or time, and the longing to break free from that liability are growing stronger. In the end, both Lee Hyori and Lee Si-young are merely representatives of their respective choices. The important thing is that all choices should coexist. It is essential to respect others' choices. The two top stars, who have already made their decisions, are upholding their convictions.

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