Lee Ji-hoon reveals mother raised him strictly to overcome multicultural prejudices

Singer Lee Ji-hoon has revealed the background of the strict upbringing he experienced under his mother, who is from Kazakhstan. He confessed that his mother's concern about potentially facing prejudice due to being from a multicultural family led to her unique and rigorous method of education.

Appearing on KBS 1TV's "Morning Forum" on the 27th alongside Cheon Beom-seok from "The Ballad of Us," Lee Ji-hoon named his mother as the most precious person in his life. Expressing his deep affection, he stated, "My sunflower is my mother."

Lee, who has a mother from Kazakhstan, revealed that he received a strict education during his childhood. "Because we are a multicultural family, my mother raised me strictly and independently," he explained. "I think she did that because she was worried that if I grew up too comfortably, I might be criticized by people later on."

The independence emphasized by his mother carried a meaning beyond simply raising a strong child. Lee added, "It meant overcoming the prejudices that can exist toward multicultural families." This suggests his mother intended to prepare him in advance so that social perceptions would not cause him pain.

When asked if he felt hurt by the strict education during his childhood, Lee gave an unexpectedly calm response. "Actually, it was only after I made friends that I realized such things existed in the world," he said with a laugh. He explained that rather than experiencing prejudice against multicultural families directly in early childhood, he only became aware of social perceptions as he grew older.

Lee's confession shows that his mother's strictness was not merely for the purpose of controlling her child. In a reality where prejudices against multicultural families can exist, it is interpreted that his mother hoped her son would build his own life and remain unshaken by external views. His story resonated with many, showing how parental love can sometimes manifest as strict lessons in independence.

Cheon Beom-seok, who appeared alongside him, also named his parents as his "sunflower." He confessed that his parents were strongly opposed to him when he first started music. However, he shared that his parents eventually opened their hearts after seeing his love for music and his serious efforts.

"When I told them, 'I'm going on Morning Forum today,' my father asked, 'You're appearing on a long-running program like that?'" Cheon added. "When I said I was meeting the 'sunflower teachers,' he told me to get their autographs." He added a warm touch to the story, noting that his parents, who initially opposed his music, now welcome and support his television appearances.

Read the original (Korean)