Director Hong Sang-soo and actress Kim Min-hee pose with their Silver Bear for "The Novelist's Film" at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival, Feb. 16, 2022. EPA-Yonhap

Actor Kim Min-hee, 42, is expecting her first child with director Hong Sang-soo, 64, this spring, Dispatch said Friday.

Kim conceived naturally, and the couple discovered the pregnancy last summer, it reported.

The couple currently resides in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, where Hong moved after leaving his previous residence in Apgujeong-dong, Seoul, to live near Kim's parents.

In December, the couple enjoyed outings together, including dining in Seoul and grocery shopping at a local market. Kim drove Hong, who recently resumed driving lessons, likely preparing for the baby's arrival.

The couple visited an obstetrics clinic together on Jan. 15, with Hong accompanying Kim through every step, from the initial confirmation to checkups and tests, seemingly unfazed by public attention.

Kim and Hong's relationship, which began in 2015 during the filming of "Right Now, Wrong Then," became public in 2017 when they admitted to their affair. Hong, still legally married to his wife since 1985, has lived with Kim for nine years, leaving his family behind.

The baby will be registered as Hong's child, likely listed as born out of wedlock. Kim may choose to register the child under her name alone.

Since the scandal, Kim has exclusively appeared in Hong's films, including "The Day After," "Hotel by the River," and "The Woman Who Ran." Her performance in "By the Stream" earned her Best Actress at the 77th Locarno Film Festival last August, during which she was already carrying their child.

This article is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.