Broadcaster Kim Joo-ha revealed that she sometimes ignores her son when he calls her 'mom'.
On the October 25th episode of MBN's 'Kim Joo-ha's Day and Night', singer Yoon Soo-il appeared as a guest, sharing his candid family history and musical journey.
During the show, Yoon Soo-il shared a poignant story from his childhood. He confessed, "I was born to an American father and a Korean mother. I've never seen my father's face."
He continued, "Whenever my mother moved with me, the neighborhood wouldn't accept us. We faced a lot of discrimination because I was mixed-race." Despite societal pressures at the time to send mixed-race children for adoption, his mother stood by him.
Yoon Soo-il revealed, "Most mixed-race children born after the war were sent for adoption. I received many adoption offers, but my mother refused them. That's why I'm here today. I didn't even have a name until I was about to enter elementary school."
He added, "I got my surname and name through my stepfather. I took care of my parents until the end. My mother and stepfather were so close that they passed away a week apart. I wore mourning bands for a month," adding to the emotional weight of his story.
Now living happily with his family, Yoon Soo-il spoke about his children. He said, "I have one son and one daughter. My daughter's name is Yoon Beauty. She was so beautiful when she was born. I considered 'Yoon Areum' but decided it was too common."
However, his daughter experienced stress due to her name. Yoon Soo-il remarked, "I don't regret it. What can I do if she was born beautiful?" showcasing his doting father side.
When his grandchildren listen to Rosé's 'Apartment' and mimic the dance, asking, "Is grandpa the original?", Yoon Soo-il humorously tells them, "Call me uncle, not grandpa."
Kim Joo-ha added, "Sometimes when I'm out with my son and he calls me mom, I don't respond. I only answer when he calls me aunt or sister," bringing laughter to the studio.
Meanwhile, Kim Joo-ha married a businessman in 2004 and has a son and a daughter. In 2013, she filed for divorce citing her ex-husband's infidelity and abuse. She secured custody and alimony of 50 million won but was ordered to pay her ex-husband approximately 1 billion won in the property division.
Reporter Kim Eun-jung, TenAsia eun@tenasia.co.kr