Park Soo-hong Supports High-Risk Triplet Mother with Medical Expenses
Park Soo-hong, a broadcaster who has faced significant family conflicts, has found healing through his marriage to Kim Da-ye and the joy of becoming a father last year. Recently, he made headlines by generously covering the medical and surgical expenses for a mother expecting triplets, who faces a 37 times higher risk compared to a single baby delivery.
After enduring conflicts with his family, including his older brother and parents, Park Soo-hong married Kim Da-ye in 2021, overcoming a 23-year age gap. The couple successfully conceived through IVF after struggling with infertility, welcoming their daughter, Jae-i, in October of last year, which brought them much joy.
Park Soo-hong has been sharing his experiences as a new father on KBS2's Superman Returns (슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다) and has recently been appointed as the host of TV CHOSUN's Our Baby is Born (우리 아기가 태어났어요). This show is the first of its kind in South Korea, focusing on the precious journey of childbirth and celebrating the miracle of life amidst the current low birth rate.
In his role alongside Yang Se-hyung as the 'Sunny Duo,' Park Soo-hong has shown heartfelt support and empathy during childbirth events. In the second episode aired on the 16th, he visited a mother expecting triplets, explaining to Yang Se-hyung, who had no prior knowledge of childbirth, that the risks for triplet pregnancies are significantly higher. Upon arriving at the high-risk maternal and neonatal center, he expressed concern for the mother's condition.
The mother, already a parent, had planned for a second child, but a rare natural conception of triplets occurred when one of the embryos split into identical twins. Although she was 31 weeks pregnant, she had been experiencing uterine contractions since the 26th week, requiring her to spend over a month in the ICU and receive medication to suppress contractions to protect her babies. Typically, triplets are delivered around 34 to 35 weeks. The mother expressed her determination, stating that one day in the womb equates to seven days in an incubator.
Park Soo-hong was visibly upset to learn that the mother could not obtain fetal insurance, stating, "The government should provide protection. They need to ensure that parents of multiple births can safely enroll in insurance."
On the sixth day of her 32nd week, the mother underwent a cesarean section with a team of 16 medical professionals from obstetrics, pediatrics, and anesthesia. Although the triplets were born at 32 weeks and could breathe on their own, they required assistance due to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Additionally, the second child was found to have a potential congenital issue that may require surgical intervention.
Navigating the challenges of twin pregnancies, childbirth, and parenting is no easy feat. Park Soo-hong, alongside Yang Se-hyung, generously contributed to the hospital and delivery costs. Having experienced fatherhood himself, Park Soo-hong expressed deep empathy for the couple, emphasizing the importance of their story in an era of declining birth rates. Yang Se-hyung also joined in sending support, preparing to become a 'dream dad.'
Our Baby is Born (우리 아기가 태어났어요), which captures the joy of new life and celebrates childbirth, airs every Friday night at 10 PM on TV CHOSUN.
