BBC "Jung Woo-sung's extramarital controversy sparks national debate"

Foreign media also noted that out-of-wedlock birth has emerged as a "hot potato" in Korean society, as actor Jung Woo-sung recently admitted to having an extramarital affair with model Moon Gabi.

"An actor's confession that he had a child with an unmarried woman has sparked a national debate over celebrity behavior and non-traditional family structures," the BBC reported.

The BBC said the controversy over the extramarital affairs of South Korean "signal star" Jung Woo-sung is causing a strong backlash in South Korea, where out-of-wedlock births are taboo.

In addition, he pointed out that Korea's online public opinion is generally critical of the fact that Jung Woo-sung, who has put forward a good and clean image, has an extramarital affair, and that politicians and major media are involved in the debate.

"Many netizens seem to think that Jung Woo-sung has tainted his previous healthy and clean image," the BBC said. "Some expressed disappointment, saying that he, a former ambassador for the UN refugee agency, "can't even accept his child."

"Korea has an entertainment industry that is notorious for strong pressure, such as demanding too high social standards from celebrities and putting them under intense surveillance," he added.

In the midst of this, some people are advocating for Jung Woo-sung, and there is also a change in Korean society's perception of the diversity of family structures.

Citing a recent poll showing an increase in the percentage of out-of-wedlock births in South Korea, the BBC said fewer young respondents believe marriage is necessary to have children, especially among young respondents.

Earlier on the 24th, Jung Woo-sung said through his agency that he is the biological father of his son, whom model Moon Gabi recently gave birth to, and that he will fulfill his responsibilities to the child until the end.