Archive July 16, 2025

Korean actress, Lee Si-young, has been accused of ‘cornering’ her ex into fatherhood after becoming pregnant via IVF using his sperm without his consent

South Korean star, Lee Si-young, has been branded ‘selfish’ after admitting to using her ex-husband’s sperm to become pregnant via IVF without his consent. Si-young, 43, was married to entrepreneur, Cho Seong-hyun, with whom she shares a seven-year-old son, for eight years until they divorced in March.

The actress and former amateur boxer, who has four million followers on Instagram, recently announced she is pregnant again via an embryo, which was fertilised five years ago while she was still with Seong-hyun. Announcing the news on Instagram, in a now-deleted post, Si-young said she “had to make a choice” to use the embryo, adding that she “will bear the full weight of my decision” while admitting: “I didn’t ask for consent from the other person”.

Explaining the reason behind her life-changing choice, she wrote as per a translation via The KTea’s Instagram page: “Eight years ago, when I had my first child, now the most important person in my life, I was not married and filming a drama.

“Back then, I was younger and had many shortcomings. Every time I saw Jung-yoon in my arms, I regretted and blamed myself for the time I spent with anxiety negatively.

“That’s why I promised myself that if I ever got another chance, I would never regret it again. I prepared for my second child through IVF during my marriage.

“However, a long time passed without receiving the fertilised embryos, and the topic of divorce naturally came up. After all the legal process was sorted out, the five-year frozen embryo storage period was ending, and I had to make a choice. Before the disposal date, I decided to have the transplant myself.”

Admitting she didn’t ask for consent “from the other person”, she said: “Although I didn’t ask for consent from the the other person, I will bear the full weight of my decision.’

Si-young also said how grateful she was for her son, who helped her “endure her troubled married life”, concluding: “Right now, I am only grateful for the new life that came to me, and I am spending a more peaceful and happy time.

“I will humbly accept any criticism or advice you give me in the future.”

As per the Korea Times, Seong-hyun confirmed that he will help to parent his child, even though he “opposed the pregnancy”.

“Although I opposed the second pregnancy, now that the child is coming, I will do my best as a father,” he told Dispatch, “Lee and I have continued to communicate for the sake of our first child and we will cooperate regarding the upbringing of both children.”

Following the bombshell news, fans were divided on social media, with some accusing the actress of “cornering” her ex into fatherhood. One posted: “Uh I feel like he was kinda cornered in this situation. He couldn’t really refuse to raise the child because they already have one child together and do you really think they would co-parent one child and not the other???” However another replied: “It’s their life and I try to feel empathy for everyone involved.”

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Vernon Kay owned up to using his credit card to pay for two expensive purchases that had social media users fuming

Vernon Kay has been criticised following an action-packed weekend, as the star made a recent admission about his social life. But fans have shrugged off the criticism, rallying around the presenter to show their support. The BBC Radio 2 star was among the first to witness Liam and Noel Gallagher reunite on stage for the inaugural gig of their Oasis Live ’25 tour in Cardiff earlier this month.

Not content with just one performance, the Bolton-born star made his way to Manchester to catch Oasis’ comeback at Heaton Park, attending both gigs on Friday (July 11) and Saturday (July 12).

Vernon shared a clip from Liam and Noel’s first homecoming concert on Instagram, where he was seen donning sunglasses and a New York Cosmos shirt, belting out the lyrics to “Live Forever.” He captioned the video: “Manchester! Day1. @oasis The excellence continues! Bravo!!”

However, some followers questioned how he managed to secure tickets to multiple shows in the comments of his post. Social media user @lfcarbz queried: “How did Vernon get so many tickets? Cardiff now Manchester!” to which Vernon responded: “Paid for them!!”

User @alanthomas1965 also commented: “A lot of people couldn’t get tickets for 1 gig you’ve managed 2 I wonder how that is,” prompting Vernon to admit: “Smashed the credit card, Alan!”

On Saturday (July 12), Vernon updated his Instagram again, revealing he had stayed in Manchester over the weekend to enjoy the Henley Festival. Donning a crisp white shirt, dickie bow and sunglasses for the event, he enjoyed performances by club legends Hacienda Classical, fronted by Graeme Park.

Vernon shared a clip from the concert on social media, exclaiming: “@fac51thehaciendaofficial @graemepark What a superb night @henleyfestival!! B2B Manchester icons in two days!

“(And for those who are gonna get the wet wipes out, our dear friend Mr. Park who we’ve admired since ’89! ! Sorted us out!) Rave on Brothers and Sisters!! Nothing but [heart emojis].”

Vernon has since posted an update showing how he spent his latest weekend, which included a trip to Wimbledon with his eldest daughter, Phoebe. In his post, the ex-Family Fortunes host wrote: “Well what a weekend!

“Not dusted off the cobwebs like that in a long time!! @oasis @fac51thehaciendaofficial classical with @graemepark and @wimbledon with @champagnelanson. Back garden and the new lawnmower await!!”

Fans were quick to express their enthusiasm. Social media user @johnfox76.jf commented: “Who cares if he bought a ticket or not? Being a Celebrity comes with benefits.”

While @janetjeans said: “You deserve it!,” and @hayley_mc76 remarked: “Good on you Vernon, enjoy the gardening.” User @anne.burns3 responded: “LOVED seeing your action packed weekend.”

Another fan, @rubyeyelashes added: “Glad you enjoyed everything that’s what it’s about! And a new lawnmower!! Get in!”

As a travel editor, I’ve packed suitcases more times than I can count. I recently upgraded my packing cubes to this excellent ones, and they’ve made a huge difference to how I pack

For savvy travellers, packing cubes are a must – they’re a neat and condensed way of organising your clothes, can be lifted out of the suitcase and popped straight into your hotel room wardrobe, and can save you precious case space (and even money too, on excess baggage fees).

As a travel editor, I’ve used packing cubes in the past – this popular £10 Amazon set – but, although a great price, I found these ones to be very flimsy, and the zips quickly broke on a number of them. However, ahead of a recently long weekend to Spain, I upgraded to these travel editor-approved Briggs & Riley ones – and they made such a big difference.

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I’d already heard great things about the Briggs & Riley Packing Cube Sets following on from another trip I took recently with other travel editors; every one of them were either wheeling Briggs & Riley suitcases or had the packing cubes inside, and everyone praised how good they were.

When mine arrived, I could immediately tell they were far superior quality to the ones I’d previously used. Available in three colours, the zips are sturdy, the cubes all fit neatly into the largest one, and the expansion and compression design feature is genius; open it up wide, fill it up with your clothes, then zip it up smaller and tighter to maximise suitcase space.

They’re also made from antibacterial treated fabric for odour prevention, and have a useful handle on the size for quick and easy lifting out of cases; they almost look like mini suitcases themselves.

On this particular trip I used the Check-In Packing Cube Set, £99, as I was checking in a medium-sized suitcase, and they fit really well; they’d fit even better in a ‘full-size’ case. My partner, who was taking a cabin bag, used the Carry-On Packing Cube Set, £79, which were also very spacious; these would still be an excellent option if you wanted to spend a little less.

Because the downside of these is that they’re certainly not the cheapest packing cubes on the market. However if you’re a regular traveller, I honestly think they’ll last you a lifetime, and seriously improve your holiday packing. I won’t be without them now.

If you’re after a slightly cheaper option but something that’s more robust that the bargain Amazon options, I’ve also heard great things about the Antler Set of 4 Packing Cubes, £50, available in eight stylish colours, while Next’s £16 Set of 3 Luggage Packing Cubes are a cute and colourful option.