South Korean star Seo Dong Joo has opened up about the emotional challenges of trying to conceive through in vitro fertilization (IVF), revealing how repeated disappointments have changed the way she views motherhood, happiness and her own self-worth.

On October 15, Seo shared her experiences in a YouTube video titled Letting Go of Guilt While Preparing for Pregnancy. Now in her third year of preparing for IVF, she spoke candidly about the difficulties she has faced and the mindset that has helped her cope.

Seo revealed that she had experienced empty follicles for two consecutive months, leaving her feeling deeply discouraged. During that difficult period, she began sharing videos about her experiences on Instagram and YouTube Shorts. The comforting messages she received from viewers helped her feel less alone.

Reflecting on the experience, Seo said she eventually realised that her life was already full of happiness, regardless of whether she became a mother.

She explained that having a child would bring additional joy to her life rather than determine whether her life was complete. To illustrate the change in her perspective, she compared herself to a delicious cake that did not need anything else to be valuable.

Even without an additional topping, she said, the cake would remain whole and enjoyable. The analogy helped her recognise that she did not need to cling so tightly to one particular outcome.

Seo acknowledged that the disappointment was still painful, emphasising that she was human and naturally felt sadness when things did not go as hoped. However, she has been trying to remind herself of the happiness she already has rather than allowing those difficult emotions to overwhelm her.

Her journey has also led to significant changes in her daily routine.

Seo admitted that she had previously been sceptical about traditional herbal medicine and preferred to rely on Western medicine. She even questioned whether herbal remedies were necessary, wondering if eating healthy foods such as salads would be enough.

However, her determination to conceive eventually led her to reconsider those beliefs. She travelled to Gyeongju to obtain herbal medicine and began taking it daily, something she said she would not have imagined doing before.

She has also become more careful about her habits. Instead of drinking coffee at cafes, she now chooses beverages such as jujube tea or ginger tea. She revealed that she had maintained these lifestyle changes for seven months, despite previously disliking taking medicine.

Alongside these efforts, Seo spoke about the guilt she continues to carry when looking back on the past three years. She wondered whether changing certain habits earlier, such as reducing coffee consumption or getting better sleep, might have made a difference.

Her reflections highlight the emotional burden that can accompany fertility struggles, particularly when people begin questioning whether different choices could have changed their circumstances.

Through her latest video, Seo has shared a more compassionate perspective on her journey. While she continues to hope for a child, she is also learning to recognise that her happiness and worth do not depend on becoming a parent.

Source: Compiled from various sources.