40 years ago, two brothers parted ways. One stayed, and one left. A question that had gone unasked for so long was finally brought up in the same place.
On the 17th, in the broadcast of TV Chosun's 'Dad and I 2', actor Lee Geon-joo reunited with his biological brother Lee Geon-cheol, who was adopted in France, after 40 years and faced their hidden family history for the first time.
Their conversation began with a question that no one had dared to ask for many years.
"I wanted to know if our mother is the same."
In response to Lee Geon-cheol's cautious question, Lee Geon-joo firmly answered, "Yes." He continued, "When we were young, our grandmother raised the three siblings, our father was in military service, and our mother was too young," explaining the circumstances that led to the adoption. "When I heard your story about being left on the floor wrapped in cloth... I thought I was going to stop breathing," he added.
The reason the brother stayed while the younger sibling had to leave.
Lee Geon-cheol confessed that he understood but found it hard to accept. "It was really difficult. If it was hard for both of us, why was I the only one sent away? That still hurts." In response, Lee Geon-joo lowered his head. "I think it was because my heart couldn't allow both of us to be sent away. I feel sorry that I was the one who stayed just because I was born first."
40 years ago, the choices of powerless adults left a lingering impact that still shakes the hearts of both men. However, the questions and answers exchanged during this broadcast were the first confessions that connected the broken time and the first steps toward understanding each other.
[Kim Seung-hye, MK Sports Reporter]
