Actor and broadcaster Hong Seok Chun expressed deep comfort after hearing veteran actress Youn Yeo Jung speak publicly about her son's same-sex marriage.

In an interview with OhmyNews on April 22nd, Hong responded to Youn Yuh Jung’s widely discussed remarks during recent interviews with Variety and People about her role in the film The Wedding Banquet and how it personally resonated with her.

In the film, Youn plays the grandmother of a Korean-American man who hides his homosexuality from his traditional family. During her interviews, Youn revealed, “My life is closely connected to this movie. Korea is a very conservative country, and people never come out publicly or to their parents. But my elder son is gay, so I shared my experience through this film.”

Youn further disclosed that her son came out in 2000 and held a wedding in New York after same-sex marriage was legalized there.

Speaking to the South China Morning Post, she added with a smile, “Now I love my son-in-law even more than my son.”

Hong Suk Chun, who also came out in 2000 as Korea’s first openly gay celebrity, said, “Coming out back then required unimaginable courage.” He recalled once meeting Youn, saying, “She never acted differently toward me—she was always warm and affectionate.”

He revealed that Youn once told him, “I’m proud of you for living well,” a comment that left a lasting impression. “She’s truly a wonderful adult—and a wonderful mother,” he said.

Reflecting on his own parents’ reactions when he came out, Hong added, “Just knowing there are mothers like Youn Yuh Jung out there feels extraordinary to me.”

He concluded with heartfelt emotion, “It feels like my 25-year-long lonely battle has finally received a bit of comfort. Thanks to parents like her, children can live happily. I hope that one day, Korea can also become a place where LGBTQ children can live freely and joyfully.”

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