Hong Seok-cheon on adopting his sister's children: 'When I die, my assets are yours'

Broadcaster Hong Seok-cheon revealed the special family history behind his decision to adopt his niece and nephew, expressing deep affection for his two children. He explained that it wasn't merely about changing a legal relationship, but about protecting his sister and her two children from potential hardship as they sought to start new lives following her divorce.

On the 9th, Hong appeared on the 'Sick Show' on the YouTube channel 'Psick Univ' and shared the background of why he adopted his sister's son and daughter.

He began his story by saying, "After my sister got divorced, I felt the children would need a father."

He continued, "Even though I am not their biological father, I believed I could be a good father."

He determined that while his sister needed the opportunity to start a new life, the children needed an adult to protect them amidst the sudden changes in their family dynamics.

Hong recalled that while his sister was "extremely grateful," the children's feelings must have been complicated at the time.

"The children must have been confused, since their uncle was becoming their father."

While he was still their uncle by blood, the moment he became their father legally was a significant change, making Hong naturally cautious.

Surprisingly, the words he spoke to the children at the time of adoption were somewhat playful.

Hong laughed as he recalled, "I told them, 'You know your uncle has a lot of money, right? A nice apartment, a car—when I die, it will all be yours.'"

He added, "It was a joke, but the children were happy."

Though it sounded like a joke, it contained a message he wanted to convey to them. He wanted to reassure them that from then on, he was not just an uncle, but a family member and a father they could always rely on.

The biggest reason Hong decided to adopt was his protective instinct toward the children.

He explained, "I didn't want the children to be a burden to my sister as she started a new love, and I didn't want to create a situation where the children felt alienated or hurt."

Even after becoming a family, Hong was wary of situations where the children might become the center of attention because of him.

He confessed, "I was worried the children might be teased, so I intentionally did not attend school sports days or graduation ceremonies."

He felt that unlike himself, who is accustomed to the public eye, the children had no reason to endure such scrutiny. He did not want their ordinary school years to be disrupted simply because they were the family of a celebrity.

As time passed, the two children eventually became adults.

In particular, his eldest daughter is scheduled to marry next January. For Hong, this marks another major family milestone since becoming a "father."

Recalling the moment he first met his future in-laws, he confessed, "I was so nervous."

"They would have seen me on TV many times and would have had an image of me."

Despite having stood before countless people as a broadcaster, Hong could not help but feel nervous in front of his daughter's future in-laws.

In particular, he spoke candidly, saying, "I felt apologetic about becoming in-laws with a top gay celebrity."

Contrary to his worries, however, the future in-laws were warm people.

Hong shared, "They were truly wonderful people, and the father-in-law especially liked me because he had been a fan since the 'Three Men and Three Women' days."

Ultimately, for Hong, family cannot be explained by the simple concept of bloodlines alone.

When the family structure changed due to his sister's divorce, instead of remaining in the familiar position of "uncle," he chose to become the person the two children needed. He even stepped back to hide himself so the children would not be hurt.

The joke, "When I die, it will all be yours," is therefore not just about property. Perhaps it was closer to the most realistic promise Hong could offer his children.

"You are my family, and I will take responsibility until the end."

While his role changed from uncle to father, Hong's heart toward the two children has remained constant from the beginning until now.