As news of the second child between actress Kim Min-hee (42) and director Hong Sang-soo (64) has emerged, it has been reported that Hong Sang-soo's wife, Ms. A, was unaware of this fact.
On the 17th, Dispatch reported that Kim Min-hee is six months pregnant with Hong Sang-soo's child and is expected to give birth this spring. Kim Min-hee and Hong Sang-soo visited the hospital together for a regular obstetric check-up on the 15th, marking the New Year, and it is said that Hong Sang-soo accompanied her throughout the pregnancy confirmation, tests, and check-ups, taking care of her.
Kim Min-hee and director Hong Sang-soo developed their relationship while working together on the film "Right Now, Wrong Then," which was released in 2015, and dating rumors surfaced in 2016. The two acknowledged their affair during a press screening of the film "On the Beach at Night Alone" in 2017, stating that they were "honestly in love," overcoming a 22-year age difference. In particular, Kim Min-hee expressed, "I cherish our meeting and believe in it. We meet and love each other with sincerity. I will humbly accept the situation I am in."
The problem is that director Hong Sang-soo is a married man with a wife and children. In November 2016, he filed for divorce mediation against Ms. A, but the divorce was dismissed based on the judgment that "the divorce claim of a fault spouse is generally not permitted." In relation to this, director Hong Sang-soo stated, "I decided not to appeal in order to focus on directing works and my current life."
Ultimately, it is reported that director Hong Sang-soo moved out of the house in Apgujeong, Seoul, where he lived with Ms. A, and obtained a new home in Hanam, where Kim Min-hee's parents reside. The two, who have been an affair couple for nine years, are spending their daily lives enjoying dates in Seoul and shopping at nearby marts in Hanam, in addition to visiting the obstetrician.
Ms. A was unaware of Kim Min-hee's pregnancy. According to a report from K-Star News on that day, she reportedly said, "I had no idea about (Kim Min-hee's pregnancy). Thank you for letting me know."
Since director Hong Sang-soo is currently legally married, the child born to Kim Min-hee will be registered as an illegitimate child in the family register of director Hong Sang-soo. Kim Min-hee may also register the child solely under her own household.
As these situations have come to light, negative public opinion continues. This is because director Hong Sang-soo is known to have cut off not only living expenses but also support for his daughter studying abroad during the divorce lawsuit with Ms. A. In 2017, Ms. A revealed on MBC's "Real Story Eye," "There is no divorce," and said, "He looks at Kim Min-hee with a happy expression while putting us in this hell. He looks like a boy in love with his first love."
She further exposed that director Hong Sang-soo had also cut off living expenses, emphasizing, "I am earning money. I am also contributing to my daughter's study abroad expenses from my family. Our relationship was really good. He was a homebody and liked home-cooked meals. It's not that our relationship is bad that he is doing this."
Meanwhile, since acknowledging their affair, Kim Min-hee and director Hong Sang-soo have not appeared in any official domestic events. In particular, Kim Min-hee has not participated in any other works due to the affair with director Hong Sang-soo, who is 22 years her senior.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
