A former organized crime boss turned actor, Jung Il-mo, who became famous for his role in the series “Sage’s Time,” has revealed his heartbreaking family history.
On the 18th, a YouTube channel titled “Exclusive World – That Person Back Then” shared a video titled “Jung Il-mo, who became an actor from the world of darkness, the story of estrangement with his son due to three divorces.” The video, which originally aired last August, depicted the current life of 77-year-old Jung Il-mo, filled with longing for his son.
Jung Il-mo starts his day with intense exercise and immersions in a valley, showing his dedication to self-care. However, beneath the strong exterior, he is filled with guilt towards his children. He revealed that he has been praying every morning at a temple for six years.
The reason for his fervent prayers is his son, with whom he became estranged 20 years ago. Jung Il-mo shared his family history: he has a daughter from his first marriage and a son from his second wife. Due to his involvement in organized crime, he could not care for his family, which led to three divorces. His son, who was 15 at the time, severed contact with him out of bitterness.
Despite leaving his past behind and establishing himself as an actor in various works like “Sage’s Time,” the distance between him and his children didn’t narrow. To compensate, Jung Il-mo debuted as a singer in his 70s, hoping to become a proud father to his son. He explained that he made the transformation for the sake of his children.
Recently, he found stability with his fourth wife, who is 30 years his junior. However, feelings of guilt towards his son lingered, leading him to go to public offices to locate his son’s address. He even went near his son’s residence but turned back, fearing how his son might react to him.
Unable to convey his true feelings, Jung Il-mo wrote them on a paper lantern. “My beloved son, we’ve already gone 20 years without meeting. I am truly sorry and I love you,” he expressed with tearful eyes. The veteran actor’s confession, blaming himself for everything, deeply moved the audience.