Cha In-pyo, left, and Shin Ae-ra

By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

Celebrity couple Cha In-pyo and Shin Ae-ra adopted a three-month-old baby girl, Jan. 2.

The baby, named Ye-jin, is the third for the couple ― they already adopted a one-month-old baby girl in December 2005 in addition to their first child, a boy born to them. The news was a surprise for Korean society where domestic adoption is still rare.

They have said that they gave birth to their adopted daughter not though their body but through their heart.

``We announced our first adoption to the public. But this is the second time and we expected the news to spread naturally,'' said Cha in a telephone interview with Yonhap News.

The two first met in the MBC soap opera ``Love in Your Arms'' (1994), where they starred as a couple. Married in 1995, the couple is known for their volunteer work as well as their acting career.

Both of their adoptions were through the Social Welfare Society, where Shin is a volunteer. She is also a goodwill ambassador for Compassion Korea, one of the world's largest relief organizations.

Cha waits for the release of his latest movie ``Crossing,'' while Shin stays at home for bringing up the kids.

meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr