Hong Seok-cheon moved by Youn Yuh-jung’s story about son coming out

TV personality Hong Seok-cheon / Captured from Channel A

TV personality Hong Seok-cheon, Korea’s most prominent openly gay celebrity, shared a heartfelt message reflecting on his own coming-out experience after actor Youn Yuh-jung publicly revealed that her eldest son is gay.

Hong posted a photo with his parents on social media on Tuesday, reflecting on his own experience. “I visited my parents’ countryside home without notice because I missed them,” he wrote. “They’re nearing 90 but still healthy enough to get around, and I’m so thankful for that.”

He recalled the impact of his decision to come out 25 years ago. “I was 30, in the prime of youth, and chose to come out thinking only about my own happiness and life. My parents nearly collapsed from the shock,” he wrote. “Their son, once thriving, suddenly became a public enemy, a target of hatred and a subject of witch hunts. And still, they endured quietly, right where they always were.”

Hong praised Youn’s recent remarks in an interview with foreign media about her film “The Wedding Banquet.” In the interview, Youn revealed that her eldest son came out in 2000 and later married in New York, where same-sex marriage is legal. “Now, I love my son-in-law even more than my son,” she joked.

Hong responded to the story with emotion. “I was surprised, touched and comforted by Youn Yuh-jung’s story,” he wrote. “My mother asked, ‘She’s okay with it?’ Perhaps my mother hasn’t always been okay over these long years. Still, I’ll try to live better. I love you, Mom. Please stay by my side longer — I’ll live well.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.