Director Hong Sang Soo, 65, to welcome child with 22-year-younger girlfriend Kim Min Hee

By Nhu Anh January 17, 2025 | 01:12 am PT

South Korean director Hong Sang Soo, 65, and his girlfriend, 43-year-old actress Kim Min Hee, are expecting their first child together, with Kim currently six months pregnant.

South Korean actress Kim Min Hee (L) and director Hong Sang Soo pose on the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony of the 67th Berlinale film festival in Berlin on Feb. 18, 2017. Photo by AFP

South Korean news outlet Dispatch revealed on Friday that Kim is due in the spring of this year. The news surfaced after paparazzi spotted Hong accompanying her to an obstetrics clinic for a prenatal checkup on Wednesday.

Hong and Kim began their romantic relationship after working together on the 2015 film "Right Now, Wrong Then." At the time, Hong was still married, and their affair ignited widespread controversy, with Kim facing harsh criticism and being labeled a "homewrecker." Hong reportedly finalized his divorce by the end of 2016.

Since 2017, Kim has exclusively appeared in films directed by Hong, including "On the Beach At Night Alone," "Claire’s Camera," and "The Day After."

Her performance in On the Beach At Night Alone won her the Best Actress award at the 2017 Berlin International Film Festival, one of the world’s five most prestigious film festivals. During her acceptance speech, Kim dedicated the award to Hong, saying: "This award is for him. I love Hong Sang Soo."

Kim launched her acting career in 2000 and achieved international recognition for her role as Lady Hideko in Park Chan Wook’s 2016 film "The Handmaiden."

Hong debuted as a director in 1996 with "The Day a Pig Fell into the Well." His 2004 film "Woman is the Future of Man" marked his first screening in the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival. He later won the Prix Un Certain Regard at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival for his film "Hahaha."