"First Time Like This" Twins but Different Ages, What's Going On?

Older Sister December 31, 2023, 11:59 PM
Younger Sister January 1, 2024, 12:00 AM

Twin sisters born one minute apart ended up living with 'different ages' because their birth years differ. The older sister was born at 11:59 PM on December 31 last year, while the younger sister was born at 12:00 AM on January 1 this year.

Blazenko Boban, Governor of Split-Dalmatia, Croatia, visits Split University Hospital to celebrate the birth of twins.
[Photo by Blazenko Boban Facebook capture]

According to foreign media including AFP on the 5th, twin sisters with different birth years were born at Split University Hospital in Croatia, with the older sister born in 2023 and the younger sister in 2024. Split University Hospital is the hospital with the highest number of deliveries in Croatia.

Damir Roze, head of obstetrics at Split University Hospital, said, "I have seen twins born on different days before, but this is the first time I have seen twins born in different years," expressing his emotion. He added, "Now one child will celebrate her birthday at the end of the year, and the other will celebrate in the new year."

Bla?enko Boban, governor of Split-Dalmatia County, personally visited the hospital to congratulate the birth of the twins with different ages.

The First Baby of the Year in Korea: 'Ahongi' Who Overcame 12 Years of Infertility and Rode the Blue Dragon

The first baby of the Gapjin year in Korea was born at Gangnam Cha Women’s Hospital in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. At 12:00 AM on the 1st, mother Im Ah-yeon (38) gave birth to a healthy son weighing 3.15 kg by cesarean section. The baby’s nickname, Ahongi, was created by taking one character each from the couple’s names.

Mother Im and father Lee Ju-hong (44) were able to meet Ahongi only after 12 years of marriage.

Ahong, born on New Year's Day 2024 at Gangnam Cha Women's Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Photo by Yonhap News

Mother Im said, "We got married in June 2012, and it is even more special that I conceived Ahongi through in vitro fertilization and gave birth healthily," adding, "I sincerely support many infertile couples in our country." Father Lee said, "After 12 years of marriage, we were lucky to have our first child conceived through IVF on the first try, so our joy is great," and added, "I hope Ahongi grows up to be a kind child who warmly cares for those around him and shares love." He also expressed hope that "there will be more national attention and policy support for couples struggling with infertility."

The couple had planned to have children from the beginning of their marriage, but due to living abroad, they postponed welcoming a new family member until last year when they conceived through IVF on the first attempt at Cha Women’s Medical Research Institute Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul.

The Gapjin year of this year means 'Blue Dragon.' According to the Korean Folk Symbol Dictionary, people born in the Gapjin year are said to be taciturn, upright, and good at accumulating wealth.