Lee Dong-gun's Family Remembers Late Brother on 'My Ugly Duckling'

On the February 2nd episode of SBS's variety show My Ugly Duckling (미운 우리 새끼), Lee Dong-gun and his parents took a heartfelt family trip to reminisce about his younger brother, who passed away unexpectedly. The family traveled to Hongcheon, a place they had visited together before the tragedy, and reflected on their memories during the holiday season.

During dinner, Lee Dong-gun presented his parents with a framed AI-generated image, saying, 'If Jun-yeob were still with us, this is what it might look like.' He also shared an AI-created family photo that included all four family members, evoking a bittersweet nostalgia. His parents gazed at the image, expressing their sorrow for their son who had always been camera-shy.

As they shared memories, Lee Dong-gun's father opened up about his regrets, stating, 'I was strict with him, and I think he really disliked me for it.' He recalled how Jun-yeob had become distant during his teenage years, preferring to play video games instead of studying. The father admitted to having thrown computers in frustration, wishing that Jun-yeob had focused more on his education.

He revealed, 'For ten years after losing him, I couldn't forget him. I felt immense guilt, thinking it was my fault he was gone. It took me a decade to realize I was still holding on to him.'

In the studio, Lee Dong-gun's mother acknowledged her husband's feelings, recalling how he blamed himself when they first moved to a new place. She shared, 'He thought if he hadn't sent him abroad, things might have been different.' Comedian Shin Dong-yeob comforted her, saying, 'Your son in heaven wouldn’t want to see his father suffering like this.'

In a significant life change, Lee Dong-gun's parents announced they would be leaving their home of 30 years. The father explained, 'I had been thinking about moving for a long time, but I waited because your mother didn’t want to.' Lee Dong-gun asked his mother how she felt about leaving a place filled with memories of both him and Jun-yeob.

She confessed, 'When I heard we were selling the house, my heart sank. After losing Jun-yeob, my memory has faded significantly. I often forget things, even our trips to Hongcheon.' She added, 'The thought of moving makes me anxious. I told Jun-yeob, 'We’re moving. I hope you can find us.'