Jung Woo-sung's apology for fathering child out of wedlock sparks debate on single-parent families in South Korea

Actor Jung Woo-sung recently apologized for fathering a child out of wedlock, igniting discussions about cultural stigmas surrounding single-parent families in South Korea. His comments came during the Blue Dragon Film Awards on November 29. Jung's relationship with model Moon Ga-bi, and his decision not to marry her, has drawn public criticism. This reaction highlights ongoing societal challenges faced by non-traditional families in South Korea. Despite the backlash, a recent survey shows that acceptance of having children outside of marriage is slowly increasing, with 37 percent of respondents supporting it, up from 22 percent in 2012.