The broadcast, titled “Crying Uncontrollably During the Daytime Meeting While Preparing for IVF,” served as a platform for an honest and raw discussion between Sung Hyun Joo, Hwang Bo Ra—who is currently preparing for her second child—and comedian Oh Nami. The three women shared their personal stories regarding pregnancy and the often-unspoken hardships of assisted reproductive technology, providing a rare glimpse into the private lives of public figures dealing with one of life’s most difficult transitions.
The Physical and Emotional Toll of Seven IVF Cycles
Sung Hyun Joo’s narrative centered on the sheer endurance required to undergo seven separate rounds of IVF. For many women, the IVF process involves a taxing regimen of hormonal injections, frequent medical monitoring, and invasive procedures, all while managing the psychological weight of potential failure. Sung Hyun Joo confessed that the process took an immense toll on both her body and her mind.
During the video, she revealed the specific tragedies that occurred during these attempts. "I had IVF seven times. I miscarried twins once in the middle and had another miscarriage, totaling two miscarriages," she shared, her voice filled with emotion. The loss of twins, in particular, represented a significant breaking point for her. The physical recovery from a twin miscarriage is often more complex, but the psychological impact of losing two potential lives at once was what nearly led her to abandon her dreams of motherhood.
She explained that after the loss of the twins, she reached a state of total exhaustion. "When I lost both twins, I decided I really couldn’t continue anymore," she recalled. "I realized that getting pregnant wasn’t the end, so I took a year off because I thought I couldn’t do it anymore." This hiatus was essential for her mental health, allowing her to step away from the cycle of clinical hope and physiological stress.
The "Addiction" of Infertility Treatment and Final Success
One of the most striking aspects of Sung Hyun Joo’s testimony was her description of IVF as a form of "addiction." This sentiment is often echoed by those in the infertility community, describing the compulsive need to try "just one more time" despite the mounting financial and emotional costs. Sung Hyun Joo admitted that even after deciding to quit, the longing for a child remained a powerful motivator.
"But IVF is like an addiction," she explained. "I had no money left. I thought I’d try just once more, eating whatever I wanted and being relaxed." This final attempt, characterized by a shift in mindset from high-stress clinical precision to a more relaxed approach, eventually led to the result she had been seeking for years. She described the "miraculous moment" of seeing two strong lines on a pregnancy test, a symbol of hope that arrived after she had nearly exhausted her financial and emotional reserves.
Following this hard-won success, Sung Hyun Joo announced her pregnancy in August 2025. In September of the same year, she gave birth to a healthy daughter, a conclusion to her journey that brought tears of joy to both her peers on the show and the viewers watching online.
A Background of Resilience and Tragedy
To understand the depth of Sung Hyun Joo’s desire for a child, one must look at her history of resilience in the face of profound personal loss. Having debuted as a comedian through the KBS 22nd recruitment class in 2007, she became a staple of the South Korean comedy scene, known for her timing and relatability. However, her personal life was struck by tragedy in 2020 when she lost her first son.
The loss of a child is a trauma that few can navigate, yet Sung Hyun Joo chose to process her grief through transparency and philanthropy. In 2022, she published a poignant essay documenting her experiences caring for her son and the subsequent mourning process. In an act of immense generosity, she donated all proceeds from the book to charity, earning widespread respect and support from the public. This context of previous loss underscores the emotional stakes of her IVF journey; for Sung, the quest for a second child was not merely about expanding her family, but about finding light after a period of unimaginable darkness.
Data and Context: The Rising Reliance on IVF in South Korea
Sung Hyun Joo’s story is not an isolated incident but reflects a broader demographic trend in South Korea. The country currently faces the world’s lowest birth rate, a phenomenon that has prompted the government to increase subsidies for infertility treatments. According to data from the Korea Health Industry Development Institute and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of people seeking treatment for infertility has risen steadily over the last decade.
In 2022 alone, over 250,000 individuals in South Korea sought medical intervention for infertility. The success rate for IVF per cycle typically ranges from 25% to 35% for women under 35, but these numbers drop significantly as the mother’s age increases. For a woman to undergo seven cycles, as Sung Hyun Joo did, is a testament to extraordinary perseverance, as many couples stop after three or four unsuccessful attempts due to the financial burden and the psychological "burnout" associated with repeated failures.
The financial aspect mentioned by Sung—"I had no money left"—is a reality for many. While the South Korean government has expanded its support programs to cover a portion of IVF costs regardless of income levels, the out-of-pocket expenses for medications, specialized tests, and multiple rounds can still amount to tens of thousands of dollars.
Public Reaction and the Impact of Celebrity Transparency
The release of the Boriety video sparked a wave of supportive comments from netizens, many of whom shared their own struggles with infertility. The transparency shown by Sung Hyun Joo and Hwang Bo Ra is credited with helping to de-stigmatize the conversation around miscarriage and the "failure" of medical treatments in a society that often prizes perfection.
One viewer commented, "My heart broke hearing about the seven rounds of IVF and losing twins. Thank you, Sung Hyun Joo, for holding on." Another noted the accuracy of her description of the process, stating, "Tears came when she said IVF feels like an addiction. Only those who’ve been through infertility treatments know how painful it is."
Industry analysts suggest that when celebrities like Sung Hyun Joo share these stories, it provides a "therapeutic effect" for the public. By moving away from the curated "perfect mother" image and showing the "crying uncontrollably" moments, these stars foster a sense of community among women who may feel isolated by their inability to conceive naturally.
Broader Implications for the Entertainment Industry and Society
The success of Sung Hyun Joo’s journey and the popularity of the Boriety segment highlight a shift in South Korean media toward "authentic" content. Viewers are increasingly gravitating toward YouTube channels and variety shows that prioritize honest dialogue over scripted entertainment. This shift allows for more nuanced discussions on sensitive topics such as reproductive health, grief, and the financial realities of modern life.
Furthermore, Sung Hyun Joo’s story serves as a powerful message of encouragement for couples facing similar obstacles. Her narrative suggests that while the path to parenthood through IVF is fraught with potential heartbreak, the combination of medical persistence, emotional rest, and a supportive community can lead to positive outcomes.
As Sung Hyun Joo begins this new chapter with her daughter, her journey stands as a beacon of hope. Having navigated the debut of a career, the loss of a child, the publication of her grief, and the grueling cycle of seven IVF treatments, her story is one of ultimate resilience. The tears shared on the Boriety channel were not just of sorrow for the past, but of relief for a hard-won future, providing comfort to countless others who are still waiting for their "two strong lines."
