Ailee moved to tears as she opens up about struggles with pregnancy

Singer Ailee tears up as she talks about the struggles of conceiving after marriage. Captured from her YouTube channel

Singer Ailee, 36, tearfully shared her struggles with conceiving a child, revealing that she and her husband, Choi Si-hoon, are preparing for possible in-vitro fertilization (IVF) after facing challenges with natural pregnancy.

Ailee uploaded a video on her YouTube channel Wednesday, titled “Hoping for a miracle... Starting management for my best physical condition.”

In the video’s description, she wrote, “There have been many changes in my life as I prepare for pregnancy. It’s not an easy process, but I’m trying to stay positive by exercising and maintaining a healthy diet every day. I’m still hoping for natural conception, but if needed, I may have to consider IVF. I’d appreciate any advice or experiences from those who have been through this.”

The video shows Ailee and her husband, Choi, following a strict diet and fitness plan together.

“It’s been harder than I thought to conceive,” Choi said. “We’re both young and healthy, so I assumed it would happen right away, but it hasn’t. This month will be our last try for natural conception, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll consider IVF. She’s been watching a lot of pregnancy-related videos lately and even cried while watching one earlier.”

Ailee became emotional during the recording. “I can really relate to women who are struggling with natural conception. Just thinking about it makes me emotional," she said. "I’ve never really taken a proper break since my debut, and I think I’ve pushed myself too hard. I feel sorry and frustrated — and guilty toward my husband.”

Singer Ailee and his husband Choi Si-hoon / Captured from her YouTube channel

Trying to comfort her, Choi said, “IVF is tough, but if we can’t conceive naturally this month, I hope we can still make meaningful memories through this time. As long as we face it together, we’ll overcome it. I’ll always be by your side.”

Ailee married Choi, an entrepreneur and former actor who rose to fame on Netflix’s “Single’s Inferno,” in April.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.