Hellynn Jung is a Korean-American entrepreneur and fertility advocate who founded Bloom Korea, a medical tourism company specializing in women’s health and fertility. Inspired by her own IVF journey, her mission is to help women around the world access affordable, high quality fertility and medical treatments abroad in Korea. She also launched her YouTube channel to share her journey and offer support and information to others facing similar experiences. Passionate about community, Hellynn has created a space where women can share their stories and find strength. With a spiritual outlook and a heart for service, she is dedicated to empowering women on their fertility journeys and beyond. Raising Women Magazine reached out to Hellynn for an interview to explore her personal journey and how she has inspired hundreds of women facing similar challenges.
Before we dive into your IVF journey, can you tell us a bit more about yourself? Who is Hellynn outside of the IVF process?
Outside of my IVF journey, I’m a Korean-American immigrant who has had the privilege of living between two cultures. Growing up as a slightly rebellious pastor’s kid, I’ve turned out OK… I am a loving wife, a crazy cat lady of 2, and already a great mother at heart.
I am also a people connector. My passion for connecting people shows through in my career, whether it’s through event production, strategic partnerships, or marketing. I have always been driven to bring people together and support them in meaningful ways.
Beyond my professional life, I am deeply spiritual, always seeking a stronger connection with God and my inner self, so that I continuously evolve into someone who serves others with intention. I believe it’s my responsibility to use the gifts I have been given to bring as much value as possible to those I’m dedicated to helping. This mindset guides me through life with an open heart, and gives me a deep sense of purpose in this vast world
You have been open about your IVF journey on your YouTube channel and blog, but can you share with us what this experience has been like for you personally? Why did you decide you needed IVF?
After experiencing the trauma of a miscarriage and realizing I had a low egg reserve after some fertility testing, we decided to pursue IVF in Korea to make efficient use of our dwindling time. Honestly, this IVF journey has been a lot tougher than I had ever imagined. Nobody goes into IVF thinking it’s going to take years. I had hoped and planned for a successful pregnancy within the first year, but I am now 2 years in and still going. I never knew I had this kind of resilience and strength… so personally, IVF has unveiled to me the stuff I am made of.
Multiple rounds of IVF must come with immense emotional and physical challenges. How have you coped with the disappointments of failed cycles, and what has kept you going through this difficult process?
This year has been incredibly challenging for me, marked by three consecutive failed embryo transfers and multiple chemical pregnancies. After nearly a year of intense effort and back-to-back IVF treatments to collect those embryos, they were all gone in an instant and the grief was overwhelming. To make matters worse, my body no longer responded to the treatments as it once had.
At this low point, I realized I needed to take a step back to heal both physically and emotionally. My mind was saying ‘let’s go!’ but my body was saying something else, so I took a few months off to heal.
One of the most meaningful things I did was to hold a physical ceremony to honor the losses of my embryos, and acknowledge the difficulty of my journey. This act of remembrance provided a sense of release and lightness, helping me find some solace amidst the struggle.
How have these treatments affected you physically and mentally?
IVF is definitely not for the faint of heart. Mentally, I have faced intense emotional ups and downs, anxiety, and periods of deep grief. The constant ups and downs, the oscillating cycles of hope and disappointment can be incredibly draining. Physically, the treatments have taken a toll as well. I’ve experienced excessive weight gain, bloat and even allergic reactions from the medications, as well as irregular cycles due to fluctuating hormone levels. It’s been a demanding journey, requiring not just physical endurance but also substantial mental resilience.
“Sharing my story has been therapeutic, providing me with an outlet and reassurance that I’m not alone in this journey. I hope my experience helps others feel less isolated and makes their own path a bit easier to navigate.”
What inspired you to share your IVF journey publicly? How has opening up about your experience helped you, and what impact do you feel it’s had on the women who follow your story?
When I first discovered I had a low egg reserve, I felt overwhelmed and desperate. Finding stories online from others in similar situations helped me feel less isolated, and I was surprised to learn that many of my close friends had quietly struggled with miscarriages or infertility. It was often considered too private to discuss openly, leaving women feeling isolated. I felt a strong urge to share my IVF journey publicly to offer support, raise awareness, and normalize the conversation around infertility. By going public, I also aimed to simplify the complex world of infertility, because there’s a whole lot to learn! Sharing my story has been therapeutic, providing me with an outlet and reassurance that I’m not alone in this journey. I hope my experience helps others feel less isolated and makes their own path a bit easier to navigate.
What has been the most shocking experience you’ve had during your IVF journey, either medically or emotionally?
The most shocking experience for both my doctor and me was that despite my low AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) of 0.06, I was able to consistently create Day 5 blastocysts. This was a surprisingly positive outcome, as such a low AMH typically suggests very limited chances of success.
How has your family supported you through this challenging process? Has their support influenced how you’ve handled the ups and downs of IVF?
My parents, who live in Korea, have been so supportive; accompanying me to the hospital when my husband could not be there and caring for me after egg retrievals when I was in pain. My husband has also shown amazing support by giving up unhealthy foods (often more delicious!) and cooking clean meals that fit my fertility diet. They are among the few people in my life with whom I don’t feel guilty about imposing my strict fertility diet and lifestyle on. Essentially, on this journey, you need to surround yourself with loved ones that allow you to be a little selfish!
IVFs are expensive, how has multiple rounds affected you financially ?
Multiple rounds of IVF have been somewhat manageable for me because I’m receiving treatment in Korea where it’s much more affordable. I was quoted $30,000 in California, but the cost here is around $3,000 with insurance— $6000 without. With additional government support, each full cycle cost us about $500 including meds. (rough figures.) While the financial aspect is still significant as there is the burden of simultaneous living costs in two countries, I am optimistic that we can focus on rebuilding our wealth after we are done with this journey. Money comes and goes, and I feel positive about our future.
What are your thoughts about surrogacy, adoption or donor eggs?
I am open to exploring various avenues to becoming a mother, including adoption and donor eggs. As I continue my IVF journey this time around, I am also starting to look into adoption as a possibility. However, for now, I want to give my body the best chance with my own eggs before making any final decisions.
Visualising, what does life as a mum look like for you?
Becoming a mom would symbolize a personal rebirth, and I would be reliving life through my child’s eyes, which sounds exciting! My life would centre around nurturing my child to become a kind and thoughtful human who brings value to the world and leaves it a little better than before.
Can you talk a bit about the private Facebook group you created, Bloom: Fertility Journey in Korea? What motivated you to start this community, and how has it helped you and other women on their fertility journeys?
I created the Facebook group, Bloom: Fertility Journey in Korea, because connecting people is truly in my bones. Inspired by the concept of people connectors being changemakers in the world, I’ve always been passionate about building communities and fostering connections and hope that it can create positive change in people’s lives. This group provides a safe space for us to share our stories, exchange information, and offer emotional support as we navigate our fertility journeys together. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how this community supports and uplifts each other, making our individual paths a bit easier to navigate.
What are some of the most moving or surprising IVF stories you’ve heard from women in your group or through your YouTube channel?
Everyone’s journey is unique, and every woman has her own story to tell. One of the most moving stories I’ve heard is from my colleague, Christi. She has POI (Primary Ovarian Insufficiency) and underwent IVF treatments for two years without seeing a single follicle. Determined to find a solution, she took the leap of faith and took a year off work to come to Korea for treatment. Over a year and a half, under the care of a doctor specializing in DOR/POI, she was able to produce four blastocysts. Unfortunately, none of the embryos succeeded, leading her to extend her stay in Korea for another year. Her unwavering dedication to becoming a mother is incredibly inspiring, and I find myself rooting for her with even more intensity than I do for myself.
How do you balance supporting other women going through IVF while managing your own emotional and physical challenges?
Balancing support for others and support for myself can feel like a delicate dance. I’ve learned to set boundaries that help me understand when I can truly show up for others and when I need to prioritize myself; filling my own cup first. It’s about creating a little bit of space to reflect on what I’m able to give in the moment, rather than reacting right away. But honestly, what drives me most is the deep passion I feel for being there for other women on this journey, it takes a lot for me to feel the need to step back.
Do you feel this journey has changed you in any profound way, whether in how you view motherhood or life in general?
Absolutely! I have always been able to achieve what I want in life with enough effort, but this is the one thing that’s eluded me (so far). It’s made me realize that becoming a mother isn’t easy, and it’s shifted my perspective in profound ways. I’ve learned to be more patient, to surrender to the things I cannot control, and to embrace the journey rather than focusing solely on the outcome. This experience has deepened my compassion for both myself and others. and has taught me to appreciate the resilience and hope that carries us through tough times
“While genetics are out of our control, taking these proactive steps early on can make a significant difference in managing fertility challenges”
Many people believe IVF and fertility issues primarily affect older women, but we’re seeing younger women increasingly facing these challenges. In your experience, do you think age still plays a significant role, or are there other factors contributing to this trend?
Age is definitely the biggest factor, but it’s not the whole story. In my experience, many younger women are facing fertility issues, and it’s becoming more common. I think it’s a combination of things; lifestyle, stress, underlying health conditions and environmental toxins all play a part. While age still impacts fertility, these other factors are increasingly contributing. Fertility challenges can affect women at any age, and it’s important to shift the conversation to reflect that reality.
Based on your experiences and the stories you’ve encountered, is there anything women can do earlier in life to manage or reduce fertility challenges?
Managing stress is crucial, as chronic stress can impact fertility, along with staying active and maintaining a healthy weight to support hormone balance. Avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol, and recreational drugs like marijuana or even CBD is crucial for maintaining reproductive health.
Another key step is fertility preservation, like egg freezing in your 20s. We need to educate our young women to take advantage of these new technologies, giving them more flexibility in their family planning. It is my view that society should empower women by supporting fertility preservation through company benefits and government aid so they aren’t so tightly bound to the pressures of their biological clock. While genetics are out of our control, taking these proactive steps early on can make a significant difference in managing fertility challenges.
What advice would you give to women who are just starting their IVF journey or struggling with fertility issues?
Taking care of yourself, both physically and emotionally is really important during IVF, as it can be an emotional roller coaster. Make self-care a priority and consider incorporating mindfulness and gratitude practices into your daily routine. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to fully experience and express all your feelings— nothing needs to be suppressed. Remember, each step, no matter how small, is a step forward. Celebrate every small win along the way and recognize that you are growing and evolving for the better. Live life in the abundance of love, not in the shadows of fear. And always remember—what’s meant for you will never miss.
What’s been the most rewarding part of this entire process, despite the hardships?
Meeting incredible, strong women, hearing their stories, and building a community together has been deeply rewarding. I see the women in my community and my clients as sisters who share a unique understanding of the challenges in this journey. I am convinced that we are among the strongest people in the world for navigating and surviving infertility. Witnessing their strength, resilience, and the mutual support we offer one another has been truly amazing.
Finally, what are your hopes for the future, both for yourself and the community you’ve built through Bloom?
My hope for the future is to start my family, no matter what path that may take. But as I reflect on my journey, I realize how blessed I already am, and I know that, no matter the outcome, I will be alright. Furthermore, I want to raise awareness and spread compassion for those facing fertility challenges, helping to equip them with the knowledge they need.
For the community we have built through Bloom, my vision is for it to continue thriving as a source of strength and solidarity. I hope it remains a space where women can find comfort, empowerment, and success through the power of shared experiences and unwavering support.
Thank you Hellynn for being such an inspiration to women going through similar journey. Your ability to find a worthy purpose to help others whilst going through this challenging journey is truly admirable.
Thank you for having me. I am honoured.
