Actor Kang Eun-bi and Byun Jun-pil, who announced a pregnancy with their marriage and received many congratulations, shed tears over the pain of a miscarriage.
Kang Eun-bi and Byun Jun-pil held a wedding last May with only family, relatives and close acquaintances invited. Previously, when rumors of a relationship between Kang Eun-bi and Byun Jun-pil surfaced in 2008, Kang Eun-bi denied them, but after 17 years of continuing a good relationship first as friends and then as lovers, they said they tied the knot.
A great blessing came three months after the wedding. Kang Eun-bi said, "After marriage, my husband and I deeply wanted a child. But being born in 1986 and turning 40 brings legitimate worries, so we resolved not to rush and to prepare slowly. And thankfully, in just three months a very precious baby angel came to us."
Kang Eun-bi said, "When I first heard the news I couldn't believe it and tears welled up, and even now each day is full of excitement and gratitude. Becoming a mother is astonishing and overwhelming and at times frightening, but above all I am grateful because I feel like I have been granted a miraculous gift."
The couple's baby nickname was "Sansam-i," and Kang Eun-bi explained, "In just three months we conceived naturally and with the joy of 'sim bwatda!' and our fervent prayers that the baby grow healthy, we gave this name." Afterward, the two concentrated all their attention on prenatal care, traveling to prepare and waiting with all their hearts for Sansam-i to be born.
While prenatal care continued, a thunderbolt of news arrived. She was hospitalized at 20 weeks, 2 days because of premature rupture of membranes, and at 20 weeks, 4 days she was diagnosed with almost no amniotic fluid. Although termination of the pregnancy was mentioned, unwilling to give up easily Kang Eun-bi expressed her determination to try harder and asked, "Please pray for me and Sansam-i. Please join your hearts."
Kang Eun-bi tried to protect the baby but had no choice but to let go. On the 15th she said, "On Dec. 29, at 20 weeks, 2 days I had a detailed ultrasound. While being told everything was normal, I heard that the amniotic fluid had decreased, and during the exam it seemed the fluid was leaking so I was urgently transferred to a higher-level hospital. Until then all tests had been normal, I had felt fetal movement well, and I had no fever or pain, so I thought it was simply a problem caused by overworking. But two days after being admitted I was told the amniotic fluid measurement was zero, and with a diagnosis suspecting premature rupture of membranes I endured two more days on absolute bed rest with a Foley catheter. I just prayed and waited for the amniotic fluid to return. But Sansam-i's position was unstable and the fluid never came back. When they said we had to consider terminating the pregnancy we were transferred to an even higher-level hospital. The consultation with the professor there was the hardest time of my life. The baby was lying sideways, pressed tightly against the placenta, and I was told the lungs could no longer develop and the baby was barely holding on in the confined space. At that moment everything collapsed."
Kang Eun-bi said, "I was so ignorant that facing the words that my mistake had caused the baby to suffer I had to make a decision. On the day I reached 21 weeks I accepted that I had to let Sansam-i go. With an induced labor the baby left immediately after birth. I could do nothing; I only cried my heart out. On Jan. 3 my first baby, my first son, passed away. On Jan. 4 I decided to handle the funeral procedures myself and after discharge I went to the crematorium. I felt sorry to send him alone on such a cold day, so I stood there in a daze and could only cry. I send Sansam-i off and leave this video as the final memory. Five months that were short yet long, thank you for being with me, Mom. Because of you I became a mother for a while, and because of you my days were filled with smiles and happiness. If you come back to me as my son again, I will definitely remember you, never forget you and be ready to meet you healthier."
In a released phone call recording, Kang Eun-bi blamed herself, saying, "I couldn't protect the baby." In response, Byun Jun-pil comforted her, saying, "I am so sorry. It's not that you couldn't protect the baby. Honestly, nothing else matters right now. I just want to see you and I hope you're okay," and Kang Eun-bi, showing a composed front, said, "I'm okay. I'm strong by nature," but the tears that burst out could not be stopped.
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