Actress Lee Si-young Welcomes Second Child, Reportedly Using $50,000 Postpartum Care Facility

Actress Lee Si-young, who recently welcomed her second daughter, is reportedly recuperating at one of South Korea's most luxurious postpartum care centers, with prices reaching up to 50 million won (approximately $37,000 USD).

Lee gave birth to her second daughter on the 5th of this month, about four months after announcing her pregnancy in July. The news of her pregnancy came two months after her divorce from her ex-husband was finalized in May, drawing considerable attention.

What further intrigued the public was the revelation that the father of her second child is her ex-husband, and that she conceived through IVF treatment without his consent. Lee explained that she had been preparing for a second child during her marriage, but as divorce proceedings were underway, the expiration date for embryo storage was approaching. Faced with a decision, she chose to proceed with implantation herself, despite her ex-husband's lack of agreement.

Her ex-husband initially opposed the pregnancy, but according to Lee, he later committed to taking responsibility as the biological father after witnessing her firm resolve. She underwent the IVF procedure alone and successfully conceived.

The situation sparked debate, with some calling her decision 'difficult' or 'selfish.' However, Lee embraced her pregnancy, enjoying a luxurious 'prenatal care' period. After her ENA drama 'Salon de Holmes' concluded, she traveled to the United States with her son for about a month. There, she documented her experiences, including fine dining, limousine tours, and attending a Lionel Messi match.

During her time in the U.S., Lee faced brief controversy over consuming what appeared to be champagne, which was later clarified to be non-alcoholic.

Her pregnancy journey continued with notable activities, including a 200km Harley-Davidson tour while heavily pregnant, posing precariously on a cliff edge, and participating in a marathon, which raised concerns among her fans.

Amidst the discussions and concerns, Lee successfully gave birth to her second daughter. She is currently staying at a top-tier postpartum care facility in Gangnam, Seoul, known for its exclusivity and privacy. The center charges a minimum of 12 million won (approximately $9,000 USD) for two weeks, with top packages costing up to 50 million won. This facility has hosted numerous celebrity couples, including Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, and Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung.

Lee expressed her gratitude, stating, "I see [my children] as gifts from God and will do my best to ensure my son and daughter are happy forever."

Netizens have shown a mixed but generally supportive reaction, with comments like, 'I respect Lee Si-young's decision,' 'I support any choice made for the sake of her children,' and 'I'm curious about the reviews for that top-class postpartum center.'