Although he has announced that he will pay monthly child support and will actively discuss parenting with his biological mother, model Moon Gabi, not all voices are in support and there is still criticism.
The origin of the controversy stems from the marriage issue that always follows such scandals. The news that Jung Woo-sung had a child out of wedlock was revealed through Moon Gabi’s SNS on November 25th.
Moon Gabi, who has been inactive for four years, shared her status after experiencing an important moment in her life, giving birth, but did not explain the process. However, there seemed to be many untold stories behind her short post. He did not mention the identity of the biological father, which raised further curiosity.
The uproar began when the identity of the biological father was revealed: it was none other than actor Jung Woo-sung. The news that Jung Woo-sung and Moon Gabi had a child together was a shocking and unexpected development. It was a union that the public could not have imagined, and the media did not know whether to call them “ex-lovers” or “a couple”.
Jung Woo-sung confirmed the news through his agency Artist Company, saying that he has become the father of a baby boy. He promised to pay monthly child support and take responsibility for the child for life. He also promised to discuss parenting with Moon Gabi.
However, the part of Jung Woo-sung’s statement that caught the attention of the media and the public was the sentence: “I am the father, but I have no intention of getting married.” The public was shocked not only by the fact that Jung Woo-sung had a child out of wedlock, but also by his stance of not planning the wedding.
News of “a star’s child born out of wedlock” spread online. The name of the actress who previously dated Jung Woo-sung was mentioned again, and an actress involved in false dating rumors was also linked to the “love child scandal” because of her association with him.
This was just the beginning. Netizens have started searching for information about Jung Woo-sung’s past relationships. Their investigative skills were remarkable. Evidence of Jung Woo-sung sending direct messages on his official SNS to beautiful women he had never met, as well as photos of him engaging in physical contact with ordinary women, quickly emerged.
For decades, Jung Woo-sung was synonymous with the handsome and charming leading man of the Korean film industry, but almost overnight he was labeled a “playboy.” His son, for whom he should have been congratulated, was consumed by the scandal of his past as a “womanizer”.
If Jung Woo-sung had declared that he would marry Moon Gabi, the situation could have been very different. They would be called “the perfect couple for the entertainment industry’s twist,” and some would even ask to appear in “The Return of Superman.”
The public, however, focused solely on his refusal to marry Moon Gabi, forgetting the fact that he promised to take responsibility for raising his son. This reveals that Korean society is still trapped in the belief that children should be raised in a two-parent family.
Family structures are becoming increasingly diverse. From multicultural families to single-parent families, the meaning of family in modern society is no longer confined to the large family units of the past. Families evolve with the times and this is a global phenomenon that has significantly expanded the definition of family.
The excessive criticism of Jung Woo-sung stems from the conservative view that childbirth, pregnancy and parenting should only occur within marriage. It reflects prejudice against single-parent families, unmarried mothers and unmarried fathers.
No one, not even Moon Gabi, can force Jung Woo-sung to marry her. Marriage is an agreement between two people to formally commit to each other and legally bind their relationship. If a person does not want to get married, it is not possible. Third party opinions are even less relevant.
According to initial reports about Jung Woo-sung and Moon Gabi, it didn’t appear that they were in a formal relationship when they had the baby. It’s an unconventional relationship, but their beginning was a private matter between a man and a woman, and their personal story should not be judged by social norms.
What matters is that a child was born between them and Jung Woo-sung clearly promised to take responsibility for this child. The audience should be more concerned with Jung Woo-sung’s ability to fulfill his duties as a father, rather than his past relationships. Supporting Moon Gabi, who had the courage to give birth to her son, and showing respect for the innocent and vulnerable child caught in the crossfire of this scandal would be a more appropriate approach.
Source: Daum
