On June 3, the YouTube channel “Soonpoong Sunwoo Yong Yeo” released a video titled “From Michelin Restaurants To Luxury Hotels, 82-Year-Old Sunwoo Yong Yeo’s One-Day Trip To Busan (+ Male Friends).” In the video, veteran actress Sunwoo Yong Yeo met Matthew Douma in Busan and had a heartfelt conversation with him.

Matthew Douma, who currently runs a smoked salmon restaurant in Korea, first talked about his parenting philosophy while raising his two daughters. He said he tries to make his children think for themselves instead of forcing them to do things. Using brushing teeth as an example, he explained: “Instead of forcing them to brush their teeth, I tell them, ‘Only brush the teeth you want to keep.’ Then the children judge for themselves.”

The conversation naturally moved to his family and marriage. Matthew Douma recalled the time he married his Korean wife and admitted that she had suffered a lot because of him. “My wife really went through a lot because of me.”

He then shared a shocking memory from when they registered their marriage at Seoul City Hall. According to Matthew, before the official stamp was placed on the document, a public official asked his wife: “Why didn’t you marry a Korean man?” Looking back, Matthew said: “Thinking about it now, isn’t that something that would be on the news? But back then, things like that were common.”

Matthew Douma explained that the marriage registration incident was only one of many difficult moments his wife experienced. “That was just one of countless things. Because of me, everything became more complicated, and my wife went through many hard things.” After hearing the story, Sunwoo Yong Yeo expressed sadness and frustration.

She responded by saying that marriage is a decision made by the people involved and questioned why others felt the need to interfere. Matthew Douma added that while society has changed a lot now, his wife truly suffered in the past. He then shared his personal view on people and identity: “When I look at people, I do not divide them into Korean people or foreign people. I just see them as people.”

His words drew attention for showing both his regret toward his wife and his belief in treating people without prejudice. Meanwhile, Matthew Douma also visited a temple in Busan with Sunwoo Yong Yeo during the video. At the temple, there was a painting personally drawn by Jeon Somi, and Matthew introduced it with clear affection for his daughter.

The episode gave viewers a rare look at Matthew Douma’s family story, his thoughts on parenting, and the discrimination his wife endured during their international marriage.

Sources: Daum | 스포츠동아