Colleagues Cheer for Jung Woo-sung at Public Appearance: "I Will Fulfill My Responsibilities as a Father"

Attended as Presenter at the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards
"Will Bear All Criticism" Receives Applause from Park Soo and Han Ho
Voices of 'Disappointment' Due to Difference from Popular Sentiment

Actor Jung Woo-sung (51) made his first public appearance after admitting to having an extramarital child with model Moon Ga-bi (35). The occasion was the Blue Dragon Film Awards ceremony, where fellow actors showed their support with warm applause and cheers.

On the afternoon of the 29th, Jung Woo-sung took the stage alongside Hwang Jung-min as presenters of the Most Audience Award at the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards held at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Prior to the ceremony, Jung had remained silent about his attendance due to the extramarital child controversy, and he did not appear at the red carpet event, only showing up for the awards ceremony. While presenting the Most Audience Award to director Kim Sung-soo for the film Spring in Seoul, in which Hwang Jung-min also starred, he addressed the recent controversy.

Jung Woo-sung said, “First of all, I sincerely thank all the audience members who watched Spring in Seoul. I stand here today hoping that my personal matters will not leave a stain on the film and all those involved.” He continued, “I sincerely apologize to everyone who has given me love and expectations for causing worry and disappointment.” He added, “I will take full responsibility for all criticism. As a father, I will fulfill my responsibilities to my son to the very end.” The screen captured fellow actors giving cheers and applause in response to Jung Woo-sung’s remarks.

Following Jung Woo-sung’s extramarital child scandal, many in the public expressed critical opinions that financial support alone does not constitute full responsibility. However, the industry showed reactions contrary to this, leading to voices of disappointment. Comments included, “Is their sense of morality different there?” “Is this something to be applauded?” “The cheers are somewhat surprising,” and “I felt they were different from me ever since they supported Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee.”

The news of Jung Woo-sung and model Moon Ga-bi’s non-marital childbirth caused a significant stir in Korean society. Experts analyze that given South Korea’s current total fertility rate below 1, if social acceptance of non-marital childbirth rises to OECD levels, the fertility rate could increase to 1.55. However, there are opposing views, mainly from religious groups, arguing that this conflicts with traditional family values, indicating a need for social consensus discussions.