A pilot active in the United States shared his coming out story, family, and complex feelings about Korea through a broadcast.
On the 4th, a pilot with Canadian and American nationality appeared on the KBS Joy program "Ask Us Anything Fortune Teller" to confess his heartbreaking upbringing and the process of reconciliation with his family.
The pilot recalled his background of immigrating with his family during high school, saying, "I was bullied for being feminine in Korea. It was true, and I spent time without any friends. I first made a friend when I started tutoring in my second year of high school, but I became so fond of him that it turned into an obsession, and I was teased about whether he was my boyfriend." He mentioned, "I felt I couldn't live like this, so I asked my parents to immigrate, and I left Korea to protect myself."
He later began his life as a homosexual in the United States. "At first, I came out to my younger sibling, and then in 2013, I married a man who was 12 years older than me. We lived together for 10 years, but we divorced two years ago," he recalled. "I had to hide the fact of my marriage from my parents, and it was shameful that I couldn't have them over even when they visited."
Eventually, he drifted apart from his parents, but in his late 30s, he found the courage to come out to them. "I thought about the possibility of losing my parents a lot, but I didn't want to hide anymore," he shared. He continued, "At that time, there was a lot of yelling and chaos, but last year, my parents went to a queer parade without saying anything. Seeing other sexual minorities, they said, 'I didn't know you were having such a hard time.' I was deeply moved, and since that day, my communication with my parents has increased." He added, "Now they sincerely wish for my happiness."
MC Seo Jang-hoon said, "The hardest wall to overcome is parents, and it seems like you have crossed that wall." He provided warm encouragement, stating, "Being accepted by your parents is the result of immense courage and time."
The pilot revealed that he began to think about Korea again after his divorce. "I used to hate Korea and felt ashamed. I deliberately tried to erase those memories. But while working as a pilot, I naturally came across K-POP, and it brought me to tears. That's when thoughts of Korea began to resurface."
Seo Jang-hoon responded, "You came back at just the right time. Now that you are forty, life has become easier. It's natural to seek a comfortable and familiar place. You need to be happy yourself for your parents to be happy. Let go of past wounds and look forward to your new life."
[Photo] Capture from the KBS Joy broadcast of "Ask Us Anything Fortune Teller"
[OSEN]