Actor Oh Kwang-rok reunited with his son Oh Si-won, who he had lived apart from for nearly 30 years, after 7 years. He also faced his son's wounds for the first time.
On the 13th episode of TV CHOSUN's 'Dad and Me', actor Oh Kwang-rok, with 44 years of experience, said, "I met my son after 7 years. I am determined to do well, as I cannot make any more mistakes," as he joined as the new 'dad representative.' Oh Kwang-rok divorced when his son Oh Si-won was 5 years old due to the hardships of living as a poor theater actor. Since then, Oh Kwang-rok and his son have not lived together for nearly 30 years. Oh Kwang-rok felt distanced because he could not be part of all his son's daily life. At some point, there was no response from his son, whether he called or texted.
Although Oh Kwang-rok and his son managed to meet again after 7 years, only awkward silence flowed between the two. Oh Si-won told the production crew, "I was angry at my dad and couldn't calm down. I had no intention of restoring our relationship. I wanted him to see my wounds first before discussing everyday topics. It's a long-standing emotion, so there is still anger," revealing the reason for his decision to meet his father. During the 7 years, Oh Kwang-rok believed that his son had wanted to pursue music while working in coffee and tea-related fields. However, the reality was that his son had given up music and was running a completely different F&B space.
Oh Si-won stated, "There is no bond between my dad and me. My dad didn't exist for me," revealing the wounds from his childhood spent without his father. He also expressed, "I was angry at my dad and didn't respond to his calls. I should have been angrier with him... it seems to have been festering," sharing his feelings of resentment. Oh Kwang-rok said, "I wish the raw wounds in Si-won's heart would come to me. If that could relieve his anger, I would like him to throw everything at me and move forward," listening attentively to his son's story.
Oh Si-won shared the hardships he faced in life after his father left. After the family disbanded, he went to live with his maternal grandmother, but he felt that if he made a mistake, he could be kicked out of her house too, so he had to tread lightly. After that, he forgot about his father, only encountering him through photo albums and movie scenes. He confessed, "I first met the real version of my dad during my elementary school graduation ceremony, but it was hard to accept because his presence felt strange and unfamiliar."
The disintegration of the family and the absence of his father left a deep wound in Oh Si-won that has not healed and has festered. Oh Kwang-rok, holding his son's hand who cried like a child, expressed his remorse. Lee Geon-joo, 'Sundol's Lee Geon-joo' said, "You wouldn't understand unless you feel it. The tears just keep coming... I can relate to Oh Si-won's feelings," showing empathy. Lee Seung-yeon also remarked, "It took tremendous courage to share this story. It seems he wants healing," referring to Oh Si-won. Lee Seung-yeon and Lee Geon-joo, representing the 'children,' predicted that Oh Si-won would say, "There are many stories I couldn't tell. I think it will take time for all those stories to come out," expressing a desire to resolve his accumulated resentment. Oh Kwang-rok said, "Let's gradually talk about it slowly," preparing to embrace his son's wounds. Meeting his father after 7 years, Oh Si-won noted, "The meeting with my dad wasn't comfortable, but it wasn't unbearable. I want to try talking more. I don't want to leave things as they are with my dad; I think sharing is the only way for my heart to heal."
Meanwhile, in the next episode of 'Dad and Me,' airing on the 20th, Oh Kwang-rok and his son will meet again. Oh Si-won demanded an apology, saying, "Shouldn't I have received an apology from my dad?" but Oh Kwang-rok refused, saying, "I think we need to look at it differently." Oh Kwang-rok also revealed his true feelings by stating, "It doesn't seem right to apologize just because I was told to." Oh Si-won expressed, "I felt it was selfish," foreshadowing a deeper conflict between the two. The 38-year veteran trot singer Seo Myung and his daughter So Yumi, who follows in her father's footsteps, will also appear. So Yumi, more accustomed to being called 'Seo Myung's daughter,' said, "I hated being referred to as Seo Myung's daughter," asserting her desire to step out from under her father's shadow and challenge herself with a debut in Japan. However, So Yumi found herself on the brink of canceling her performance just 30 minutes before it was set to start. The only trot family, Seo Myung and So Yumi, will newly join TV CHOSUN's 'Dad and Me,' airing every Tuesday night at 10 p.m.
[Photo] Provided by TV CHOSUN
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