In an emotional episode of Ask us anything: Fortune Teller This aired on August 4, a 40-year-old Korean-American driver moved spectators with his deeply personal history to go out, experiment with a religious and social refusal and, ultimately, finding reconciliation and peace through the support of the family and a renewed love for Korean culture.
The guest, who immigrated to Canada during high school and now resides in the United States as a city dual, has started his story by telling a traumatic adolescence marked by bullying and insulation.
“I have often been beaten and mocked to be effective. I had no friends,” he said. “When the students made fun of my friend by calling him my boyfriend, I asked to be sent abroad. I didn’t think I could live well in Korea.”
After immigration, he admitted that he has canceled all the traces of his Korean identity: throwing annuators, musical tapes and even avoiding other Koreans. But his struggles are not finished abroad.
“After going out, I was expelled from my church in Canada”, He shared. “I just want to live like myself – there is nothing wrong with this.”
Although he kept his secret identity from his parents for years, in the end he came out – a decision he made at the end of the 1930s, also at the risk of being denied.
“They were screaming and crying. But last year they joined me at the Soul Queer parade and met other parents of children LGBTQ+. This changed everything,” he changed everything “ he said. “In the end they understood. Now let’s talk more. He brought me peace.”
The Seo Jang-Hoon co-car was visibly moved, affirming: “Parents are often the most difficult wall to break through – and you did it.” The pilot also shared an unexpected source of healing: k-pop. “I was looking for YouTube a hair tincture tutorial when an old Korean song appeared. At the beginning I didn’t want to watch … but then I started crying.”
The hosts Lee Soo-Geun and SEO Jang-Hoon offered sincere support: “Your happiness is also the happiness of your parents”, Lee said. “You didn’t choose this, yet you suffered so much”, SEO added. “If you can facilitate your heart a little, hugging Korea again could return more naturally.”
In a final note, the guest shared that his photos were abused in romantic scams, pushing the spectators not to be deceived by the impostors. “That person is not me”, He said clearly. The episode closed with SEO’s public message: “Don’t be fooled by the imitators.”
Ask us anything: Fortune Teller AIR Monday at 20:30 KST on KBS JOY, with additional access via LG U+TV, Genie TV, SK BTV, the “My K” mobile app and the regional cable networks listed on the KBS website.
Sources: Nate
