Hong Seok-cheon's future son-in-law made a public appearance.
TV Chosun aired an episode on the 9th of its variety show "Joseon's Heartthrob" that followed Hong as he attended a formal family introduction ahead of his daughter's wedding.
Hong adopted two nephews and raised them as his daughter and son. At Seoul Station, he met his daughter and confessed, "I went to bed at 1:30 a.m., but woke up again at 4 a.m.," a sign of how nervous he was. He remained visibly tense on the train to Busan. "Their family knows me since I'm a public figure, but I don't know them. It feels a bit like an audition," he said.
After arriving in Busan, Hong changed into the suit and shoes he had prepared. He fretted over his appearance, admitting, "I should have done some skincare before coming." Even his stiff walk betrayed his nerves.
Shortly after, his daughter introduced her fiancé: "This is Lim Seung-woo; we're getting married next year."
Lim, Hong's future son-in-law, works at H Asset Management and is in his fourth year in the finance industry. The show's panelists praised his tall, polished appearance and professional credentials, saying he left a very good impression. Hong's daughter said the couple decided to marry after two years of dating.
On the walk to the family meeting, Hong and his daughter held hands tightly. "We haven't held hands in a long time," she said. Production staff commented that they looked like a real father and daughter.
In an interview with the crew, the daughter said, "I felt good. I often link arms and show affection, but we hadn't held hands in a while. It felt strange—warm and weighty."
By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia (bella@tenasia.co.kr)
