Pregnancy rumors regarding Seo Eun-hye → Bitter incident revealing prejudices against children with disabilities [Choi Hye-jin's Insight]

*This content was translated by AI.

[Editor’s Note] Broadcasting, film, and entertainment industry issues viewed through the eyes of reporter Choi Hye-jin.

Pregnancy rumors surrounding Seo Eun-hye, a writer with Down syndrome (formerly known as Jung Eun-hye), escalated into an incident reflecting prejudice against disabilities.

On the 25th, Seo Eun-hye posted a photo of herself alongside her husband Jo Young-nam on her social media.

Among the images, one showing Seo Eun-hye holding her belly and Jo Young-nam holding an ultrasound picture sparked pregnancy rumors.

However, the photo did not signify actual pregnancy. Seo Eun-hye explained that it was an AI-generated image created by chance while making a Chuseok greeting card using an app she received from an acquaintance.

Although the pregnancy rumor seemed to conclude as a mere incident, some netizens continued posting malicious comments. Comments emerged that negatively viewed the couple's potential to have children. Even more extreme remarks were made, such as "Doesn't Down syndrome also mean a shorter lifespan?", "Not planning for a second generation is what's best for the whole family," and "If a real child were born, it would be hell for that child."

Seo Eun-hye married Jo Young-nam in May last year after meeting at a workplace designed for people with developmental disabilities.

Of course, the two individuals with disabilities may face practical challenges while raising a child. In fact, when they appeared on SBS variety show "Same Bed Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny," they openly shared their concerns about having children.

At that time, Seo Eun-hye's mother expressed realistic worries that if the couple had a child, it could ultimately lead to increased caregiving burdens for the family. Jo Young-nam also admitted his concern that if the child were born with a disability, it might become a burden on the family.

If the couple decided not to have children after much deliberation, that decision should be respected as their choice as a married pair. The same applies even if they change their minds at some point. Regardless of what choice they make, the responsibility and contemplation regarding that decision must be borne by the two individuals themselves. It is not a matter for third parties to decide on childbirth based on disability.

Assuming in advance that children born to parents with disabilities will lead unhappy lives can lead to another form of prejudice against disabilities. No one has the right to arbitrarily judge another family's eligibility for having children or their future.

This incident ultimately ended as a pregnancy rumor incident. However, the fact that it started from a single AI image and spread into malicious comments about a couple's second generation left a bitter aftertaste.

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*This content was translated by AI.