On the August 17 episode of SBS’s My Little Old Boy (episode 456), actor Yoon Shi-yoon embarked on a memorable journey to Mongolia with his mother—marking her first-ever appearance on television.
As they appeared at the airport, the studio buzzed at the sight of Yoon’s elegant mother, her youthful appearance stunning everyone. The show’s panel affectionately dubbed her a “real beauty” and joked, “Is that really your mom or a drama actress?”
The segment highlighted the duo’s contrasting travel styles—Yoon Shi-yoon arrived with two large bags and a detailed itinerary, while his mother traveled light. His insistence on rigid schedules and compulsive organization led to tension, especially due to a certain unmentioned habit of his mother that visibly distressed him. Observers in the studio commented, “Now we see why she doesn’t go to her son’s house!”
But the real emotional weight of the episode came when Yoon Shi-yoon and his mother discussed their past.
His mother, who became a parent at a young age, shared that she was forced by financial hardship to leave baby Yoon Shi-yoon—only 100 days old—at his grandmother’s house. The heartbreaking result? Young Yoon Shi-yoon couldn’t even call her “mom” in public.
While sharing his experience during a trip to Mongolia with his mother, Yoon Shi-yoon recalled a time when he cried non-stop for three days. With no money to go to the hospital and his mother too weak to breastfeed, his grandmother came from Suncheon to feed him formula. Yoon remembered drinking three and a half cans of formula and finally sleeping for two days. Reflecting on the past, he said, “If I was that hungry, my mother must have gone without even more.”
Yoon’s mother, who gave birth at 20 and had to take on the role of both parent and provider, shared her own struggles. She recalled that during pregnancy she couldn’t eat what she wanted and worried that poor nutrition might affect Yoon’s development. She said, “When I first saw you after birth, I checked your eyes, nose, mouth, and fingers to make sure everything was normal. I was so undernourished that I feared I wouldn’t be able to give birth to a healthy child.”
She also recalled a painful moment from his school days. Unable to attend his sports day due to work, she rushed over during a short break only to witness a heartbreaking scene—one that still brings tears to her eyes. Moved by her pain, Yoon comforted her, finally sharing the emotions he had held in for years.
Host Shin Dong-yeop was visibly emotional, noting similarities with his own childhood.
The full episode aired on August 17 at 9 p.m. KST and resonated deeply with viewers, offering a rare, heartfelt look into the personal life of the typically cheerful actor.
Sources: 다음 – 마이데일리
You must be logged in to post a comment.