Actor and shaman Lee Gun-joo, who successfully reunited with his biological mother and younger brother adopted to France, shared his feelings about the process of finding his family in a question-and-answer format.
Lee Gun-joo, a beloved national child star who played the role of 'Sun-dol' in the drama 'One Roof Three Families', is currently appearing on TV CHOSUN's 'My Father and I.'
He moved viewers by reuniting with his younger brother, who was adopted to France, after being separated from his mother 41 years ago. Lee Gun-joo, who made the difficult decision to find his family, recalled, "It was hard to continually learn new things about my family that I didn't know before." However, he also confessed that his thoughts changed significantly after meeting his biological mother and younger brother, noting, "The meaning of family has changed a lot for me." Lee Gun-joo plans to share stories about his younger brother's adoption to France, a story he also did not know, on 'My Father and I' while expressing his true feelings through a question-and-answer session.
1. What does 'family' mean to you? Has there been any change before and after participating in 'My Father and I'?
- Family for me used to mean just my grandmother and aunts, but through doing 'My Father and I', my perception of family has greatly changed. I think I've come to understand that family isn't just people I share blood with but rather those with whom I can share feelings and who are always on my side during tough times.
2. Through 'My Father and I', you met your biological mother. What significance did this meeting have in your life?
- I thought it would be okay to live without knowing my mother, but I developed a simple curiosity about what my mother might be like and wanted to meet her at least once. Of course, our meeting resolved my long-held curiosities, but I don't place too much significance on just that one encounter. She didn't raise me, but as a child, I felt I should seek her out at least once before it was too late. I respect my mother's position and choices, so I have no resentment; I only wish for her to be well and healthy.
3. After meeting your mother, you sought out your lost younger brother. When did you learn about his existence?
- I learned about my younger brother's existence 18 years ago. At that time, my brother Gun-cheol came to Korea on a trip and brought 'adoption records' to the police station. The police then contacted my grandmother, who was registered as the 'adoption applicant.' Since my grandmother was in the hospital at that time, my great aunt contacted me on her behalf, and that day we learned of each other's existence.
4. What was the first thing you wanted to say to your younger brother when you met?
- I thought a lot about what to say when we met, but all I could say was that I was sorry. It wasn't my fault, nor was it Gun-cheol's fault, but I felt I had to say I was sorry on behalf of our parents.
5. It seems there were many challenges in reuniting with your younger brother after your mother. What was the most difficult moment in the process of finding your family?
- The most difficult moment was when I kept learning new things about my family that I didn't know. There were times I thought it would have been better not to know. I realized how much my grandmother and aunts, who raised me without showing signs of hardship, must have struggled, and when Gun-cheol learned these things, he said he was okay, but it breaks my heart to think about how upset he must have been inside.
6. Have you ever been afraid of getting hurt again in the process of meeting your family? I'm curious about why you decided to meet them anyway.
- Gun-cheol was someone I just wanted to see until the day I die. In the case of my mother, I was simply curious and wanted to meet her. Since she gave birth to me, I think it was a primal curiosity about what she looked like. I don't have strong feelings of affection, but there is no hatred either. I am grateful to her for giving birth to me, but I naturally feel more indebted to my aunt, who raised me, than to my mother. If my mother has any lingering regrets about our situation, I hope she is happy with her current family, having understood and accepted it.
7. It seems that the word 'family' also left some wounds. How does that wound manifest now?
- The word family has never been a source of pain in my life. Even though my parents are not here, my grandmother and aunts have always been a solid support for me, so I have never thought of it as a wound.
8. What kind of changes do you think your participation in 'My Father and I' and the reunion with your family will bring to your life going forward?
- Although I have no obligation to share about 'family' on the broadcast, I was afraid of being talked about publicly just because I am a celebrity. Nevertheless, through appearing on 'My Father and I', I learned about my family, and I think I feel relieved now that it is known. I think my younger brother will also be able to walk around proudly and happily when he comes to Korea. I am aware that there are many people with similar family situations and even those who have had it much harder than I have, so I try to accept this situation with gratitude.
9. On 'My Father and I', you and Lee Seung-yeon have had many tearful moments as 'crybaby siblings.' Why do you think you two are particularly emotional?
- I think it's simply because we understand each other so well. Lee Seung-yeon also has her own pain, and I have mine, so even without detailed conversations, we can just feel what the other is going through. I can empathize with her because I think she must have also gone through a lot of contemplation before making such a difficult decision like me. It wasn't crying without knowing why; it was shedding tears because we were able to connect our emotions, and just by looking into each other's eyes, we could sense so much without even saying much.
Lee Gun-joo's family story, which is being revealed for the first time in connection with his younger brother's adoption to France 41 years ago, can be confirmed on TV CHOSUN's 'My Father and I' airing at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, 17th.
[Photo] TV CHOSUN 'My Father and I'
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