Actor and shaman Lee Geon-joo reunited with his younger brother, who was adopted to France immediately after birth, after about 20 years. They grew closer by sharing a warm meal they prepared together.
In the episode of TV Chosun's entertainment program 'With Dad and Me' aired on the 10th, Lee Geon-joo was depicted traveling to France to meet his biological brother, whom he had no knowledge of as he was adopted at a young age.
Lee Geon-joo's biological brother, who grew up in France, is fully French in terms of nationality and language and does not speak Korean. Lee Geon-joo said, "My brother's name is 'Lee Geon-cheol'. I was so happy to learn about my brother's existence, but at the same time, I feel so sad and sorry, thinking that in a way, he was abandoned."
After a long 14-hour flight, Lee Geon-joo arrived in France, but upon arriving at the train station in the city where his brother lives, he was filled with anxiety, thinking, "What if he doesn't come out? What if he gets angry as soon as he sees me?" In the midst of this, his brother, Lee Geon-cheol, appeared with a bright smile. Lee Geon-joo hugged Lee Geon-cheol and burst into tears, saying, "I missed you. I'm sorry."
The reason the two were able to recognize each other at once was that they had already reunited in Korea 18 years ago. At that time, Lee Geon-cheol came to Korea with adoption documents to find his roots, and that was when he first met his brother.
However, due to differences in language and culture, the two lost contact due to a minor misunderstanding. Lee Geon-cheol expressed his joy at the reunion, saying, "I was happy to see my brother in person and to meet again as siblings. I'm glad I could honestly talk about the situation back then."
Lee Geon-joo prepared a Korean meal for his brother, including kimchi stew, spicy chicken stew, and side dishes of myung-na-mul and perilla leaves that he brought from Korea.
Although Lee Geon-cheol met his brother again after about 20 years, he said, "Everything felt natural and comfortable." Lee Geon-joo also shared his feelings about reuniting with his brother, saying, "Even without words, actions came first, and just by looking into each other's eyes, I felt like I understood. I wanted to do anything for him. This time felt so good that I wondered if it was a dream or reality."
In the next episode, the hidden family history of the brothers will be revealed. Lee Geon-cheol will ask questions that have built up over time, such as, "Why was I sent for adoption? Why was one left behind while only one was adopted?" and "Why didn't our parents fulfill their parental roles properly?"
In response, Lee Geon-joo also said, "I didn't know either, but our siblings..." and began to share the hidden story behind his brother's adoption. The truth about the adoption that Lee Geon-joo's younger brother, Lee Geon-cheol, will learn after 41 years can be confirmed in the episode of 'With Dad and Me' airing on the 17th at 10 PM.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
