YouTuber Park Wi (박위), husband of former Secret member Song Ji-eun (송지은), has been embroiled in controversy since recently releasing CCTV footage related to a KTX train accident, a storm that continues to rage. While public opinion remains unsettled, a video of Song Ji-eun's first Chuseok holiday visit to her in-laws after marriage has also resurfaced, with some viewers questioning if she was neglected during the family gathering. Now, Park Wi's past remarks about his family planning have been unearthed once more, particularly his comment, "I hope my son can carry me when he grows up," which has led to renewed scrutiny of his views on parenthood.
Recently, discussions have reignited in Korean online communities regarding Park Wi and Song Ji-eun's comments on future family planning, made during an appearance on singer Sean's YouTube channel in April this year. When Sean asked if the couple planned to have children, Park Wi responded without hesitation, "Very much so." He also revealed his lifelong wish to have two children.
Song Ji-eun stated that she has always loved children and wanted to have them, even before marriage, but felt she wasn't mentally prepared at the time. She admitted that once a life is brought into the world, there's no pause button, and she constantly considered whether she and her husband had the sufficient capability and mental readiness to take on the responsibilities of parenthood.
Beyond psychological considerations, Song Ji-eun also worried about the practicalities of raising a child, contemplating whether they could care for each other while also properly raising a child. After much thought, she revealed her decision to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) this year, hoping to gradually realize their family planning goals.
Park Wi, for his part, confessed that despite his desire for two children, he still harbors many concerns. Due to his physical condition preventing him from performing some childcare tasks personally, he inevitably worries about his wife bearing more responsibility in the future, even feeling apologetic and self-doubting. However, Park Wi also shared that someone once told him, "Is raising a child about strength? It's about love!" This remark helped him regain confidence and courage to face future parenting life.
When discussing their reasons for wanting a son and a daughter, Song Ji-eun expressed her admiration for her husband's personality and inner qualities, considering them rare and precious gifts. She hoped to have a son like Park Wi and raise him well, so he could bring these virtues to the world.
However, after this conversation came to light, some netizens questioned Park Wi's views on parenthood, arguing that since the couple had already considered their physical conditions and practical childcare needs, they should plan their future family life even more carefully.
In fact, Park Wi had previously sparked controversy by discussing the gender of his children and his expectations for them. In a YouTube video on his channel in September 2024, he stated, "I hope the first child is a son, so my son can carry me when he grows up; if it's a daughter, I would want to protect her."
These remarks had already caused discussion at the time, and now that they've resurfaced, more netizens believe he seems to link a son with the expectation of future assistance in his life, while positioning a daughter as someone he needs to protect, questioning if there are different gender expectations at play. In the original video, Song Ji-eun was filmed with a serious expression after hearing these words, and her reaction is once again drawing attention.
As past statements continue to be unearthed, Park Wi's views on parenthood have once again become a topic of discussion. Some netizens argue that while every couple has the right to plan their family, directly linking a child's gender with expectations for future care inevitably leads to unnecessary speculation. What began as a couple sharing their family planning discussions has now reignited controversy due to past remarks, keeping public attention on the couple's future actions.
