Actor Kwon Oh-jung Returns to Television After Four-Year Hiatus

Actor Kwon Oh-jung made his long-awaited return to television after a four-year absence, appearing on the January 27 episode of Channel A's 'Close Friends: Four-Person Dining Table.' During the show, fellow actor Shin Hyun-joon invited Kwon along with friends Jung Woon-taek and Lucky to his home.

Kwon had cut off contact with those around him and had been largely absent from the entertainment scene since 2020. Shin expressed his concern, stating, "I think many people are curious about Oh-jung. He has been out of touch for years, and I had no information about him. I tried to reach out when casting for 'Ghost Police,' but I received no response. I thought he was avoiding me, but it turned out he had changed his number. I misunderstood the situation."

Kwon explained, "2020 was a challenging year for my family. My wife was ill, I was unwell, and our child was also sick. I felt the need to focus on my family, so I decided to change my number and spend quality time with them. I used to enjoy drinking and socializing, but I quit drinking and dedicated myself to my wife and family, spending every day together. We traveled a lot, and now I feel like I've emerged from a tunnel. I ran into my brother-in-law at the end of last year, which led me to resume my broadcasting activities."

Reflecting on his reunion with Shin, Kwon shared, "I was out for a morning walk with my wife when I saw a tall man in stylish clothes. It was my brother. I turned away because I felt embarrassed and unworthy. My wife urged me to greet him, but I couldn't. I sat 50 meters away, watching him. I missed him and wanted to acknowledge him. I had often declined his calls and messages in the past. When I finally approached him, he greeted me warmly, and I could feel his sincerity. He had been thinking of me."

Shin recalled, "I was so happy to see him after not being in touch for so long," to which Kwon expressed his gratitude, saying, "I appreciate how warmly he welcomed me back. He is like a benefactor to me, as he helped me return to broadcasting."

Shin noted that he had seen Kwon focusing on his family through social media, while Kwon shared that his son, Hyuk-jun, graduated from college two years ago. He described Hyuk-jun's educational journey as miraculous, considering he had struggled academically.

Shin then revealed that Hyuk-jun has a rare illness, to which Kwon added, "It is extremely rare, with only a few cases in the country and even fewer worldwide. We visited numerous hospitals across the nation, exploring both legal and unrecognized treatments. As parents, we were anxious about missing any symptoms that could worsen his condition. We spent a lot of time searching for solutions. He was fine when he was younger, but his condition has gradually progressed, and no one knows how it will develop. There is no data to guide us."

Kwon recounted how he had prepared a banner for Hyuk-jun's high school graduation, only for his son to express a desire to attend college. "As a parent, when your child wants something, you support them. He wanted to make friends in college. My wife applied to many schools for a year, but he was rejected everywhere, even for special support for disabled students. He practiced singing for a vocal program, even though he wasn't very good at it. Eventually, a school contacted us about a special admission for disabled students just two days before the semester started."

Kwon initially hesitated, suggesting they should stop applying, but his wife insisted they give it a try. They went to the interview and were accepted immediately. The school was a Christian university that had just begun accepting disabled students, and they were warmly welcomed. Kwon expressed his gratitude for this opportunity, stating, "We had the entrance ceremony just two days after being accepted. I am so thankful."

After Hyuk-jun graduated in 2023, Kwon faced challenges finding work for him, as jobs were hard to come by for those with both physical and intellectual disabilities. He shared, "I didn't want to keep him at home all the time, so I encouraged him to pursue his interests, like art. He has shown interest in acting, which is amusing because a friend informed me about a program teaching acting to people with disabilities. We went for an interview, and now he is learning acting and voice training. I joined him at the same agency, and we are committed to working hard together."

Shin remarked that Kwon reminded him of Robert Downey Jr., noting that many great actors go through tough times before achieving emotional depth in their performances. He expressed his confidence in Kwon's talent. When asked if Hyuk-jun sees any resemblance to his father, Kwon replied, "He has started to grow facial hair and has a similar voice. He also has his own stubbornness. He tends to like older girls, but it’s not because my wife is older; he just happens to like them."

Kwon reminisced about meeting his wife in Sinchon, recalling her outfit vividly. "She wore black jeans and a white t-shirt, and I found her incredibly attractive. I was 23 at the time and fell in love at first sight, thinking I would marry her. We've been together for over 30 years now. We got married when she was over 30, which was difficult because my family opposed it, especially since I hadn't even completed my military service. I am three years younger than my wife, and my older brothers were not married yet. My wife was struggling, and I couldn't let her go. So, we registered our marriage on my birthday and later informed our families. They were shocked, and we eventually had a wedding ceremony."

He expressed gratitude for his wife's support during their early years, stating, "I had nothing when we met, and I am thankful she followed me out of love. Without her, I might have led a much different life, possibly ending up lonely in my old age."

Lucky chimed in, expressing his own concerns about finding a partner. When asked about his ideal type, he said, "My preferences change with age. Right now, I value good communication. I don't mind if someone is divorced or a single mother, as long as they are a good person. In my 20s, I focused more on looks, but now I hope to find someone I can travel with and live happily like my brother."

Shin asked if Lucky would want to marry a Korean woman, to which Lucky joked about feeling intimidated by Indian women during his visit to India, saying, "If I marry an Indian woman, it would be an international marriage!"

Kwon emphasized the challenges of being married to a celebrity, stating, "It's said that a celebrity's spouse is sent by heaven, and it is indeed difficult. Living as a celebrity's partner comes with its own set of challenges."

He reflected on how spending time together made him realize how much his wife had endured over the years. "Being together made her so happy. I could see how lonely she must have felt. Especially for celebrities, there are many temptations. My wife has had to endure a lot because I am a public figure. It’s harder for her than for an ordinary person. Lucky, you should consider this when you think about marriage. The person who marries you will choose a life that is much more challenging. They will have to make many sacrifices."

Shin humorously remarked, "You’ve really learned a lot, haven’t you? You’ve become like a well-trained dog with a tight leash!"