Heartfelt Reunion: Takuya's Emotional Journey to Find His Father After 25 Years

The recent episode of KBS 2TV's 'Salimnam' captured the heartwarming and emotional journey of Takuya (34) as he searched for his father after 25 years, delivering both laughter and tears to viewers.

Aired on the 28th of last month, the episode showcased Takuya's quest to find his biological father, achieving a nationwide viewership rating of 6.0% according to Nielsen Korea. The moment when Takuya's father showed childhood photos of Takuya and his siblings, whom he met after 25 years, reached a peak rating of 7.6%.

Takuya's poignant story unfolded as he expressed his longing for his father, whom he last saw at the age of 10, following a recent reunion with his mother. "My mother told me she had gotten rid of all the photos of my father, but I found them again. My father is 71 years old now, and I just want to know if he's alive," Takuya shared with a heavy heart.

Armed with only a photo, his father's name, age, and hometown, Takuya set off for Hokkaido, Japan. After extensive searching, he found a promising lead and headed straight to Tokyo, where his father was believed to reside. As he neared his destination, Takuya grew increasingly anxious. "I'm considering the scenarios of meeting him, not meeting him, or finding out he has a new family. I can't predict how I'll feel if he's living alone," he confessed.

With mixed emotions, Takuya finally located the building where his father lived, appearing dazed. "The house didn't look good. The room seemed small, and it wasn't a typical living arrangement. It felt like a dormitory, similar to a goshiwon in Korea. I'm worried about his health," he expressed with concern.

Upon learning that his father lived in a dormitory for a newspaper delivery company, Takuya spoke with a resident who confirmed that his father often talked about him. "When I told him I was his son, he said my father mentioned me frequently," Takuya pondered.

At that moment, Takuya's father appeared, immediately recognizing his son and tearfully apologizing, "I'm sorry," unable to lift his head. "I always hoped you would find me someday. I should have looked for you too, but I never imagined this day would come," he said, shedding tears of regret for the past 25 years.

Remembering his children's birthdays, the father repeatedly apologized, "It must seem foolish to you, but I remembered in my own way. I'm truly sorry." When Takuya handed him a photo taken with his sister, his father was speechless with gratitude. In return, he showed Takuya childhood photos of them together, unable to hide his remorse. As their brief reunion came to an end, the father gave Takuya a small allowance and shared a heartfelt hug.

After parting ways with his father, Takuya broke down in tears. "I wanted to show my father how much I've grown. I wanted to show him I've become strong," he explained, holding back his sobs. The episode concluded with Takuya's heartfelt letter to his father, moving viewers to tears.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr