[Sportschosun, Lee Woo-joo] Actress Moon Ji-in, who has a younger brother with a developmental disability, faced a cold reaction from some after she underwent testing for Fragile X syndrome (FXS).
A recent video on Moon Ji-in's YouTube channel was uploaded under the title, "Did you know there was a test like this? The reason I suddenly had this test..."
Moon Ji-in and her husband, Kim Ki-ri, visited an obstetrics and gynecology clinic and were left shaken after hearing something unexpected. With her eyes swollen from crying, Moon Ji-in turned on the camera and said, "The doctor suddenly suggested one more test. It was a Fragile X syndrome test. Of course, it was just a precaution, but I was told there is a gene that can be inherited through the mother and may cause autism or a developmental disability. As you know, I have a younger brother. If the causative gene is on my mother's X chromosome, the chances of it affecting a boy are higher. Since I am my mother's daughter and I have a son, they told me to get tested. They said there was a 25% chance it could be passed on to my baby, Saengmyeong."
Moon Ji-in added, "One or two comments said, 'What about Kim Ki-ri? It's genetic.' That didn't upset me at all. I thought, 'Yeah, then what should we do?' and worried about it together. But after the prenatal anomaly screening, I was shocked to hear that while acquired conditions are unavoidable, it could also be genetic." She continued, "My brother was born prematurely at seven months, so I was told his condition was acquired. My parents have always worried that their grandchildren might be affected as well."
Fortunately, the FXS test came back normal. Moon Ji-in said, "I was really distressed for ten days. There may be more tests ahead, but I have finally let go of my biggest fear." She then expressed relief, saying, "This was even harder than the prenatal anomaly screening. It is also very good news for my brother, Jeong-o, and for my mother. Saengmyeong did not have Fragile X syndrome, and neither did I or my parents."
After the video was released, many fans worried about Moon Ji-in and offered comfort, knowing how much stress she must have been under. But some said they felt uncomfortable with her reaction. They argued that her concern about family history and her relief after the test results could hurt families with members who have developmental disabilities. Netizens reacted with comments such as, "Why upload something like this and make people with siblings who have developmental disabilities anxious? I'm worried it could negatively affect marriage prospects for people in that situation," "This video hurts countless people who have siblings with developmental disabilities all over again," and "I understand her feelings, but honestly, I was hurt watching the video."
In response, Moon Ji-in said, "I am sorry for hurting your feelings." She explained, "I was happy that the concern my mother-in-law had always carried, and the guilt and worry she felt because I have a younger brother with a developmental disability, were finally eased, and that my mother's heart could also feel lighter. But I think I failed to express that properly because I was not good enough. I will be more careful from now on."
wjlee@sportschosun.com
