Singer Kim Jaejoong, Disposes of Frozen Sperm...what happened?

Singer Kim Jaejoong (38) has confessed to disposing of his frozen sperm. Recently, Kim appeared on the YouTube channel ‘Neighborhood Friend Kang Nami’ and discussed his decision to freeze and eventually dispose of his sperm.

Kim mentioned, “I froze my sperm to preserve my healthy genes while I was still young, but this year they reached their expiration date and had to be discarded.” He added, “To maintain the freshest state, it's best to use them within three years, but they can be extended to five years at most.”

Sperm Freezing at -196°C... Simpler Than Egg Freezing for Women
Sperm freezing involves preserving sperm by freezing. The process entails adding a cryoprotectant to the sperm, which is self-collected, to prevent damage from freezing, and then storing it in a tank of liquid nitrogen at -196°C.

Sperm freezing is commonly done before undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Male cancer patients may experience reduced fertility due to decreased testicular function post-treatment. While testicular function can recover after cancer treatment, the recovery can be slow.

Some, like Kim Jaejoong, freeze sperm solely to preserve fertility. Concerns over the declining quality of sperm due to aging drive this decision. In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment planning couples, where the husband needs to be abroad for extended periods, may also opt to freeze sperm in advance.

Freezing sperm is simpler compared to freezing eggs, which involves hormone injections to induce ovulation, making the process more cumbersome for women. Sperm can be frozen for various durations, typically three to five years, as Kim mentioned. The cost of freezing sperm for three years ranges from 300,000 to 600,000 KRW (approximately 230 to 460 USD).

If Planning for Children, Men Should Also Manage Sperm Quality Early... Weight Loss and Antioxidant-Rich Foods Help
For those planning to have children, freezing sperm like Kim Jaejoong is important, but proactively managing sperm quality is crucial. Infertility is influenced by both male and female health. The quality of sperm affects both natural and assisted conception. Statistics show that about 40% of infertility cases are due to male factors.

Sperm quality is determined by factors such as count, morphology, motility, and viability. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can improve sperm quality. Studies suggest that moderate aerobic exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week, can enhance sperm quality.

Maintaining a healthy weight is also important. A study by the University of Copenhagen found that 56 obese men who restricted their intake to 800 Kcal per day for two months lost an average of 16.5 kg, and their sperm count increased by over 40%. After a year, those who maintained the weight loss retained their increased sperm count, whereas those who regained weight saw a decrease in sperm count.

A Mediterranean diet, rich in nuts like walnuts and almonds, is also beneficial for sperm health. A Spanish study indicated that men who consumed nuts daily had significantly reduced sperm DNA fragmentation compared to those who did not. Higher sperm DNA fragmentation is associated with increased infertility risks. Researchers attributed this improvement to the antioxidants in nuts enhancing sperm quality.