Moon Ga Bi sets the record straight amidst childbirth controversy with Jung Woo-sung
South Korean model Moon Ga Bi addresses the controversy surrounding her recent childbirth to Jung Woo Sung's baby, clarifying misinformation.
On Instagram posted on Saturday, Ga Bi shared a photo of her baby's feet, accompanied by a lengthy message explaining why she had gone public with the baby.
"Last month, it wasn’t an easy decision, but I gathered the courage to let go of the past and rise again as a mother to a child," she started. "On the 22nd, it was my first birthday as a mother. I wanted to share this joyful news with those supporting me and with acquaintances, I can no longer reach. The biggest reason [I went public with things] was my wish for my child to receive blessings. I also wanted to be able to tell my child someday, 'Mom wanted to show you off.'"
The Miss World Bikini 2011 winner said that since the announcement, inaccurate news stories about her and her baby daddy, whom she did not name throughout, had been circulating.
"Amid such a situation, I realized that my defenseless child is the one most vulnerable and hurt in this storm. I’ve decided to share my stance for the first time to correct this," she explained.
Ga Bi said that she initially chose to keep quiet "for everyone's sake," but failed to be protected. She decided to make a public statement to "protect her child."
"The articles written without even the slightest consideration for me or my child were full of baseless speculations. The stories about me and the other person were entirely distorted. Even as people whispered and pointed fingers, and articles filled with insulting and cruel words tarnished the joy of my first meeting with my child, I remained silent. This was not because I accepted those speculations but because I wanted to protect both my child and his father," the model said.
Ga Bi denied accusations that she used pregnancy as a means to demand marriage and that she was coerced into childbirth.
"The reported articles, coupled with various conjectures, have led to claims like, 'Moon Gabi had no relationship with the man but met him a few times, got pregnant, and demanded marriage for child support, but when rejected, she went through with the birth without consent.' Some even said that my social media post was meant to defame him or to gain something."
"There is so much I want to set straight, but I must start with what’s most important," Ga Bi stated.
She recalled that she and Woo Sung met at a gathering in 2022 and "maintained a good relationship until the very last day of 2023."
However, as of January 2024, she claimed she has never seen the child's father and "have never demanded marriage or anything else from him due to the pregnancy."
"We both did our best in the relationship and together, we decided to welcome this child, who came to us as a precious gift in the midst of our natural and healthy bond. There were moments filled with excitement, laughter, and happiness as we anticipated this child," she said.
The 35-year-old model emphasized that "it is not right to assume that this child is a mistake or destined for an unhappy life just because the relationship between the two of us has changed."
"This child was born into love and blessings from me and my family. My child is one full of pure love that gives us more love in return. I had made the decision to meet this child, prepared to dedicate the rest of my life to the child, and that decision has turned out to be the greatest gift I could give myself," she continued.
"As a mother, I was clumsy and unprepared, but that was a shortcoming, not a mistake or wrongdoing. This child is neither a mistake nor the result of one. I am not seeking praise for doing the natural thing of protecting and taking responsibility for a precious life. At the same time, I do not deserve to be criticized," she said.
Ga Bi wishes that her child be protected from the negativity and speculation surrounding their birth. She hopes that the public will respect their privacy and allow them to grow up in a loving and supportive environment.
Last Nov. 22, Ga Bi posted a black-and-white photo on her IG account showing her baby's hand touching her face.
In the post, she reflected on her initial feelings of shock and unpreparedness upon learning about the pregnancy.
"I was not prepared for such a sudden news, I spent most of my pregnancy quietly basking in the blessings of my family rather than enjoying the joy or celebration of my pregnancy. The choice to do so was only for the baby to be born," she wrote in the caption.
A few days later, Woo-sung, 51, admitted that he was the father of the baby. The confirmation came after his agency, Artist Company, confirmed a Dispatch report claiming that Jung was the father of Moon's son.
"It’s true that actor Jung Woo Sung is the biological father of the child that Moon Gabi revealed on social media," the agency said in a statement.
It added, "He is currently in the process of discussing the best possible avenues for childcare, and as a father, he will take full responsibility for the child until the end."
He also offered an apology while presenting at the Blue Dragon Film Awards on Friday, November 29th, for fathering a child outside of marriage. Births outside of marriage remain a social stigma in South Korea.
"I am truly sorry to all those who have shown me love and believed in me for the concern and disappointment I have caused," Jung said. "I will accept and bear all the criticism. As a father, I will fulfill my responsibilities to my son until the very end."
