At the most prestigious event for South Korea’s film industry, acclaimed actor Jung Woo-sung stepped into the spotlight not to celebrate, but to apologise for fathering a child outside of marriage.
Advocates for single-parent households say the ensuing uproar surrounding one of the country’s most famous actors reflects South Korea’s deep-rooted cultural stigmas and systemic inequities that continue to marginalise non-traditional families.
Jung, 51, made his first public appearance at the Blue Dragon Film Awards on November 29 after reports emerged that the actor had fathered a child out of wedlock with 35-year-old model Moon Ga-bi.
“I will shoulder all the criticism and fulfil the responsibilities as a father,” Jung said.
The revelation of their secret relationship shocked the public, and Jung’s reluctance to marry Moon sparked outrage in a country where births outside of marriage are still largely considered taboo.
South Korea’s statistics agency found that 37 per cent of people believed it was acceptable to have a child outside of marriage, a 15 per cent increase since 2012.
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