Hong Seok-cheon Remembers Father’s Emotional Response to His Coming Out: “Let’s Die Together by Poison”

Hong Seok-cheon Reflects on His Coming Out Journey on SBS’s “Dolsing Fourmen”

On December 17, renowned figures Hong Seok-cheon, actor Choi Jin-hyuk, and singer Huh Gak graced the popular SBS program “Dolsing Fourmen” as special guests.

A Pivotal Moment in His Career

Hong Seok-cheon, who made headlines as one of Asia’s first openly gay celebrities, recounted the moment he chose to come out publicly. Reflecting on his career’s peak in the year 2000, particularly during the success of the series “Three Guys and Three Girls,” he shared, “I was 30, fully immersed in my work and financial success, yet I found myself questioning, ‘What is my happiness?’”

Personal Transformations

At a challenging point in his life, after enduring heartbreak due to a betrayal from his boyfriend, Hong realized that authenticity was crucial. “After our breakup, I understood that if I wanted to maintain genuine relationships, I needed to be true to myself. Thus, I chose to come out—I felt it was essential not to deceive anyone,”he explained.

Reflecting on Regret and Mental Health

When questioned about any regrets regarding his decision, he candidly acknowledged, “I did take a break from the entertainment industry for three and a half years. However, after some time away, anxiety began to creep in, prompting me to explore new avenues by opening a restaurant.”

A Legacy of Honesty

During the interview, Hong expressed his aspirations for the future, particularly for his young nieces and nephews. “I hope that when they grow up, they will remember me as an honest and brave uncle,”he shared.

Emotional Reflections

In a particularly poignant moment, he stated, “What I want to convey the most is that I have not changed. If my experiences differ from others and lead to dislike, I want to learn and grow from it. Should acceptance come later, I aspire to offer heartfelt smiles, not forced ones,” he said, visibly moved.

Looking back on the emotional video interview conducted 15 years ago, he admitted, “I couldn’t bring myself to watch it. At that time, my dear friend Eui-jung prompted the questions. We condensed a 90-minute discussion down to a mere 30. Sadly, all that aired was my tears.”

Family Struggles

In recounting his journey, Hong highlighted the challenges he faced within his own family. “Until the final moments, my parents attempted to dissuade me from conducting the interview. Hailing from rural Chungcheong-do, they traveled to Seoul by taxi late at night. The following day, a lawyer was present to urge me against it.”

He recalled his father’s desperate communications, including a harrowing suggestion: “Let’s die together by poison,” expressing deep concern over the shame the family would endure. Hong, however, stood firm, stating, “At 30, I realized that not being honest about who I am would only lead to my unhappiness. When I asked why I should hide my truth, my father ultimately relented, acknowledging, ‘If you can take responsibility, then go ahead.’” This heartfelt exchange left a lasting impact on the audience.

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