Lee Geon-joo Reflects on Rejecting Reunion with Mother 15 Years Ago on 'The Great Guide 2'

On April 15, the second season of The Great Guide (위대한 가이드2) aired on MBC Every1, featuring Lee Geon-joo discussing his past decision to decline a meeting with his mother 15 years ago. During the episode, conversations naturally shifted to Lee's family. His stepfather shared a poignant memory of Lee's aunt, who was so emotional on the day of her shamanic initiation that she collapsed in tears. Lee expressed gratitude for the support he received from his aunt and grandmother, who raised him with love and care.

Lee's stepfather advised him to confront family issues rather than avoid them, encouraging him to accept them calmly. When asked if he had ever had the chance to meet his mother, Lee revealed that he almost did so through a morning broadcast program 15 years ago. At that time, his mother was watching from a distance, eager to see him, but Lee felt unprepared and ultimately chose not to meet her. Reflecting on that moment, he admitted, "I still needed to think about it a bit more," leading to the missed opportunity.

Lee shared his feelings about the situation, stating, "I heard rumors that she was asking if I was making good money, and I didn't want to meet a mother who would say such things." He expressed uncertainty about whether he misunderstood the situation or if the information was distorted. He noted that if it were now, he would have sought clarification, but at that time, he was too young and felt a strong aversion. Lee lamented, "Just hearing that one sentence from her made me unwilling to meet, and 15 years have passed since then," revealing the painful history of his family.