Lee Hyori Faces Backlash Over Resurfaced IVF Remarks: “Disrespectful to Women Struggling with Fertility”
In a resurfaced clip from the variety show That Man Who I Remember on MBC Every1, Hyori candidly expressed her stance on having children. “I don’t want to go as far as IVF. I don’t want to rely on medical intervention,” she said. “If it happens naturally, I’d be incredibly grateful to raise a child.”
Hyori added that a friend of hers had a baby at the age of 58, which gave her a renewed sense of hope and courage. This revelation sparked emotional reflection: “I’ve lived a life where I was the center of everything. Subconsciously, I thought, ‘I’m a celebrity, I’m Lee Hyori.’ I want to experience something where I completely lose myself for something else.”
She also drew inspiration from a book about a woman in India who couldn’t conceive but chose to live as a mother to all beings, offering love and devotion regardless of biology. “That made me realize I don’t need to have a child to experience true love. I can still live with a loving heart,” Hyori shared. “If Seokjin oppa [her husband, singer-songwriter Lee Sang-soon] does well, then that’s a good thing too.”
However, her IVF remark resurfaced recently through an online community post that was turned into a news article. The comments section quickly filled with mixed reactions. Some accused her of being insensitive toward people struggling with infertility, saying:
- “This hurts those trying so hard through IVF.”
- “As someone who had kids naturally, I still think her words could discourage IVF moms.”
- “A public figure should be more careful.”
Others defended her right to express personal preferences:
- “She didn’t say anything negative about IVF at all.”
- “It’s like saying, ‘I prefer natural dates over blind dates’ and getting slammed for it.”
- “She’s allowed to share her truth. Stop twisting her words.”
While some reactions were critical but thoughtful, others turned into outright hateful comments, prompting concern about the excessive backlash.
Lee Hyori married Lee Sang-soon in 2013, and the couple resided in Jeju Island before relocating to Pyeongchang-dong, Seoul. Their home, a standalone property, was purchased entirely in cash for about 6 billion KRW (~$4.39 million USD).
With her signature openness, Lee Hyori continues to redefine what motherhood and love can look like—not only in the context of family but also through compassion, self-awareness, and spiritual growth.