During a recent appearance on the YouTube series “Sister-in-law is K.Will” and in a personal video posted to her channel, Dam-bi Son, the actress spoke openly about her unexpected and emotionally taxing journey into motherhood.
Initially, Son revealed she had no intention of having children and entered the marriage under the mutual agreement to remain a dual-income, no-kids (DINK) couple. She stated:
“I never wanted to marry in the first place. But he persuaded me. After marriage, we both agreed not to have children. I thought we would grow old together without kids.”
Yet a year into their marriage, her husband, former Olympic speed skater Lee Kyu-hyuk reportedly began bringing up the topic of children frequently, particularly while under the influence of alcohol. She described this persistence as emotionally coercive, eventually leading her to agree to in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
After two IVF attempts over eight months, she successfully conceived and gave birth in April 2025. The pregnancy was not without difficulty. She suffered from placenta previa, a condition requiring a cesarean delivery and resulting in excessive bleeding during childbirth, necessitating a blood transfusion.
In a tearful video, Son described her current life as one of complete parental burden. She handles all aspects of childcare including feeding, changing, and soothing the baby—while her husband sleeps undisturbed and proclaims he is “enjoying fatherhood.” She expressed:
“He enjoys it because he’s not doing anything. I haven’t slept properly. If the baby moves, I wake up. He just sleeps.”
She further disclosed the physical and mental impact of motherhood, citing dramatic changes to her body and episodes of depression. From postpartum warts and pigmentation to emotional fatigue, Son has openly documented her vulnerable journey.
Her statement that Lee already wants a second child despite her physical and emotional challenges has intensified public concern. She firmly rejected the idea, saying, “I’m at an age where a second child would be difficult. I won’t be doing this again.”
Public reactions have ranged from sympathy to outrage. Some have accused Lee of gaslighting, misleading Son about their agreed lifestyle only to pressure her into parenthood. Others expressed admiration for Son’s transparency and resilience, calling her a voice for many mothers facing similar circumstances.
Son Dam-bi has garnered attention for revealing issues in her marriage to former Olympic speed skater Lee Kyu-hyuk, including allegations of gaslighting and emotional distress. The couple, who first met and briefly dated after participating in the 2011 SBS reality show “Kim Yuna’s Kiss & Cry,” reconnected in 2021 and married in 2022. Son previously described their reunion as destined, feeling like “the whole universe was pushing toward marriage.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.