Frozen eggs don't last forever: Why this Korean singer set a three-year marriage deadline

Solbi / Captured from Solbi's YouTube channel

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Singer and painter Solbi has revealed that she froze her eggs and now plans to marry within three years.

In a recent video on her YouTube channel “Solbi is Back,” titled “Forty-something single entertainer Solbi announces first-ever marriage plan (egg freezing),” she said, “If I get married, I think it will be within three years. I have frozen my eggs, and the preservation period has about two years left.”

When the production staff pointed out that her timeline did not quite match the stated preservation period, Solbi laughed and acknowledged her slip, showing her regret that the preservation deadline was approaching.

“I want to get married if I meet the right person,” she said. “I think marriage should be with a soulmate — someone who makes me feel more beautiful and confident when we’re together.”

As marriage and childbirth are increasingly delayed in Korea, more women are choosing to undergo egg freezing. Public awareness has grown as celebrities openly share their decisions.

What is egg freezing?

Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, involves retrieving eggs from a woman’s ovaries, rapidly freezing them at extremely low temperatures with a special cryoprotective solution, and storing them long-term. The eggs are thawed later for use in procedures such as artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF).

According to Ministry of Health and Welfare data, the number of frozen eggs stored in Korean medical institutions rose about 2.5 times from 2020 to 2023. Women who hope to marry and conceive someday — but have no clear timeline — are increasingly choosing to retrieve and freeze eggs at a younger age. Egg freezing is also an option for those receiving medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, that could affect reproductive health.

Doctors recommend undergoing the procedure before age 35, when ovarian function is still strong. After 38, the proportion of eggs with normal chromosomes declines significantly. However, even if eggs are frozen at a young age, changes in the uterus or hormone levels over time can affect the chances of pregnancy.

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How long can eggs be stored?

There is currently no explicit legal limit on egg storage duration in Korea. Laws such as the Mother and Child Health Act and the Bioethics and Safety Act do not specify a maximum preservation period.

In practice, clinics may set their own guidelines based on internal policy or medical references. The average storage period is about five years, though extensions are often possible. In the U.S. and some European countries, commercial storage is commonly offered for up to 10 years.

Experts say what matters most is understanding the policy of the clinic where the eggs are stored and aligning it with one’s long-term family plans.

Costs and considerations

As of 2025, egg retrieval and freezing procedures at major fertility centers and large hospitals in Korea cost between 2.5 million and 5 million won ($1,840-$3,680). Annual storage fees range from 300,000 to 500,000 won. When attempting pregnancy later, thawing, fertilization and implantation can cost an additional 3 million to 5 million won.

National health insurance provides partial coverage only for medically necessary fertility preservation, such as before cancer treatment.

The process involves taking ovulation-inducing medication for about 10 to 12 days to mature multiple eggs in the ovaries, followed by retrieval under local or general anesthesia. The procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Before starting, doctors check ovarian age, egg count and overall health, including screening for infectious diseases and conditions such as hypertension, diabetes or heart disease.

Possible side effects include bloating, abdominal discomfort and fluid buildup from ovarian hyperstimulation, as well as bleeding or infection from needle insertion. Temporary hormonal side effects may include swelling, mood changes and fatigue.

Patients are advised to avoid intense exercise and alcohol before and after the procedure, drink enough water and maintain a balanced diet rich in protein and antioxidants to support egg quality.

Egg freezing is often described as a “time capsule” for future fertility. Experts stress that women should consider not only their health and finances but also their clinic’s storage policy to ensure safe and effective use.

This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.