Broadcaster Hong Seok-cheon recently opened up about a painful chapter of his life. After becoming the first person to “come out” in South Korea, an event that shook the entire nation, he was expelled from all broadcasting programs and had to endure a grueling hiatus for three and a half years.
On the 18th, a video titled “Is it real that we’re meeting after 32 years.. KBS 12th class colleagues gathering” was uploaded to Kim Sook’s channel, ‘Kim Sook TV’. In the clip, KBS University Comedy Festival 12th class colleagues Hong Seok-cheon, Kim Sook, Lee Ri-an (formerly Lee Jang-sook), and Gong Ki-tak (formerly Gong Seong-su) reunited after a long time to share stories of their past, filled with both laughter and tears.
Recalling the moment Hong Seok-cheon became the first in the entertainment industry to come out in 2000, Kim Sook noted, “The world was truly shocked back then. For about 10 years starting from the millennium era, it was one of the Top 10 biggest news stories in Korea.” She added with sincerity, “For a while after you, no one else came out because the colleagues around us saw just how difficult your life became.”
Nodding bitterly, Hong Seok-cheon calmly confessed the harsh reality he faced immediately after his announcement. “As soon as I came out, I was cut and expelled from every single program I was appearing in,” he revealed. “It took a full three and a half years before I could return to broadcasting.”
The person who eventually led him back into the spotlight was star writer Kim Soo-hyun. Hong Seok-cheon shared, “Writer Kim Soo-hyun cast me in a drama, but the public opposition to my return was overwhelming.” He described the severe social climate of the time, recalling, “There were even huge banners hung in front of the SBS main building saying ‘I don’t want to see Hong Seok-cheon in the drama’ and ‘SBS, wake up’.” Despite this, Hong added, “In the end, I pushed through all the opposition and trials to stand on my own again,” earning a round of warm applause from his friends.
In an era filled with prejudice and discrimination, Hong Seok-cheon courageously revealed his true self, risking his entire career. His journey, surviving a heartbreaking 3.5-year gap and fierce backlash through sheer talent and sincerity, left both his colleagues and viewers deeply moved.
Netizens reacted with comments such as, “To think he was banned from TV and had banners protesting his return… he must have been so lonely and struggled so much,” “Hong Seok-cheon is truly amazing for enduring all that to become the top star he is today,” “I really respect writer Kim Soo-hyun’s insight and determination,” and “It’s so heartwarming to see the KBS 12th class colleagues reuniting to comfort one another.”
