Kim Ji-yeon Instagram screenshot.

Kim Ji-yeon, whose marriage with professional baseball player Jeong Cheol-won has fallen apart, personally expressed thanks for words of comfort from a netizen.

Kim Ji-yeon is currently appearing on the tvN fashion survival program ‘Kill It : Style Creator War’. Some netizens showed negative reactions to her appearing on an entertainment program while in divorce litigation, saying, “Both spouses are immature” and “Only the son is pitiful.”

However, on the 8th, a netizen posted on social media defending Kim, saying, “I happened to see someone who disclosed that she was in divorce proceedings with an active professional baseball player and appeared on a variety show.”

The writer stated, “At least my spouse and I think her decision to appear on a broadcast came from the standpoint of a caregiver.” They went on, “If someone who is not a high-earning salaried worker is facing the prospect of becoming a single-parent household, I believe there is no choice but to make that decision if it can increase income, even if it means exposing my flaws to the whole world.”

They also added, “These days, it is common for one elementary school child to cost more than $750 (1,000,000 KRW) per month,” and, “Regardless of the genders of the two people in litigation, I hope society becomes more generous toward the person protecting the child.”

In response to the post, Kim left a comment herself and shared her feelings. She said, “An acquaintance sent it to encourage me, saying, ‘There are also people who think this way,’ so I ended up seeing it,” and, “Thank you for understanding how I feel.”

She continued, “I came to a region where I have no ties, determined to work hard to support my family rather than prioritize my own life, and spent most of the time alone with my child,” and confessed, “When I thought of letting go of my life, the face of my child kept coming to mind, so I gritted my teeth and held on, repeating to myself, ‘What is there for a mother to be ashamed of?’ as I endured.”

She added, “The choices I made led to good things, but in the end things like this also happened,” and, “Living through it, it was not easy to hear even that my child is pitiful, but thanks to the post I came across by chance, it feels like even the life I have lived so far has been consoled. I am truly grateful.”

She then wrote on her social media, “Does being ashamed now really matter? There is nothing more shameful than letting my child go hungry while doing nothing and trying to endure with nobility. Today as well, I will work hard, even selling my face, so that I can raise my child full and warm,” expressing her resolve.

Meanwhile, Kim became known to the public through Mnet ‘Love Catcher’. In March 2024, she shared news of a premarital pregnancy with pitcher Jeong Cheol-won of the Lotje Giants, and in August that year, she held her son in her arms. She later held a belated wedding in December last year, but shocked many by announcing the breakup only a month after holding the ceremony.