'Heart Signal 3' cast member Seo Eun-woo (formerly Seo Min-jae) gave birth alone and said she is still not in communication with the child's father.
Seo Eun-woo met with OSEN on the morning of the 18th at Oen Law Office located in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and in an interview opened up about her recent condition and the relationship with the child's father, who has remained silent even after the child's birth.
Earlier, Seo Eun-woo, in the process of revealing her premarital pregnancy in May of last year, sparked controversy by disclosing the face and name of the child's father and former boyfriend A, as well as his alma mater and current workplace.
In response, A's side sued Seo Eun-woo on charges including violation of the anti-stalking law, confinement and assault, and violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation), and both sides are currently engaged in legal disputes. Meanwhile, Seo Eun-woo gave birth to a son alone in December of last year. However, she is still raising the child alone without any communication with the father.
In May of last year, Seo Eun-woo told OSEN that from the period of dating A to when she learned of the pregnancy, she experienced changes in A's attitude and explained why she felt she had no choice but to post on social media.
Meeting Seo Eun-woo again about 10 months later, she made clear that the situation has not changed much since last year's interview. When asked about her recent condition, Seo Eun-woo said, Recent the baby turned 100 days, so I had a small celebration with family, and I added, During the pregnancy I went through a very difficult period. Not only was there no cooperation from the father's side during the childbirth and raising the child alone, but I was also sued by the father's side over claims that were not true and am still undergoing legal procedures. That situation acted as mental stress, and I have been receiving continuous psychiatric and rehabilitation medicine treatment in cooperation with obstetrics and gynecology.
Although Seo Eun-woo had a somewhat stiff expression because this was not an interview to be enjoyed with smiles, she broke into a radiant smile when mentioning the child.
When asked how the child is growing, Seo Eun-woo said, To be honest, because I was worried about the incident, I could not practice prenatal education at all during the pregnancy. I worried something might be wrong with the baby, but fortunately there were no health problems at birth. Even now the situation is not easy, but because there is joy from the child, I am also trying in my own way to take good care of the child. It's not just about me; because the baby is important I am concentrating to look after the child's welfare as much as possible.
In June of last year Seo Eun-woo caused concern among fans by posting a suicide note on social media and disappearing for a time. At that time, Seo Eun-woo's lawyer told OSEN that she was fine.
Seo Eun-woo said, During my pregnancy I could not make rational judgments. I made extreme attempts and was handed over to the police and hospitalized in a psychiatric ward. So when I was struggling I could not properly think about the child, and after the child was born I have regretted that. I wanted to protect the baby, but because I was mentally so unwell I wondered whether even if I survived to give birth I could be good to the child, or whether I might leave the child in the world and do something bad, and I acted out of those fears. Looking back now, I feel very sorry for the baby, she reflected.
She added, I am sorry and grateful to those who worried at the time, who reported to the police directly, and who tried urgently to contact me. Out of shame and apology I could not contact everyone individually and that still weighs on me. I want to take this opportunity to say thank you. Now I am trying my best to be good to the child, and although I don't know much there are many people helping me, so I am learning childcare and doing my best as a first-time mother. Because I have a child it's really hard. Raising a child alone, I respect all parents, she said, referring to her changed mindset after childbirth.
Seo Eun-woo said, Still, because there is joy the child gives me, I aim for a future in which we live together with the child's future, and I am trying to live earnestly. I am proceeding legally to get as much help as possible because I want the process to protect not only my own safety but also to ensure there are no problems in living together as the child's mother.
Seo Eun-woo said she gained strength from those who have followed her on social media and supported her over a long period, I can't read all the messages of support, but when I have time and the baby is sleeping soundly I read them. People who don't know me well still sent messages of support. Others told me to hang in there, congratulated the child, and said you can do it, and those messages resonated with me. I can't reply to everyone, but I want to say I am grateful, she expressed.
She added, I keep some of the good messages for the child separately so that when the child grows up, even though they don't know those people, I can tell them they were celebrated and that people wished for a bright future for you. It's not common for strangers to encourage and support someone; it's not something just anyone does. I learn a lot from that warm feeling and truly gain courage. I believe the positive energy I received from those people will be passed on to the child.
When asked whether raising the child alone is hard, Seo Eun-woo said, I have learned that childcare is much harder than I thought. When you take care of a baby a whole day passes. In some ways being busy helps. In the past my priority was living my life well, but now the biggest difference is that the baby has become the priority.
Seo Eun-woo said, I have seen several reports since the birth. I never revealed the gender, but there was a lot of speculation. To officially announce here for the first time, it is a son. I want to thank those who congratulated the child's birth on behalf of the child, she said with a laugh. (Continued in interview 2.)
※ If you have difficult concerns that are hard to talk about such as depression, or if a family member or acquaintance around you is experiencing such difficulties, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling via the suicide prevention hotline ☎109 or SNS counseling Maduraen.
[Photo] Reporter Ji Hyeong-jun, provided by Seo Eun-woo
[OSEN]