TVXQ’s Yunho says he loves Son Ho-jun just like his son, wishes to see friend succeed more than himself

The pair have been longtime pals since before Yunho debuted. Yunho is 34 and Son Ho-jun is 36

TVXQ’s Yunho, Son Ho-jun ( yunho2154 / sunhojun_official Instagram )

While TVXQ’s Yunho has been making headlines of late for his new solo mini-album ‘Noir’, the singer-songwriter has appeared as a guest on a January 27 episode of the radio show ‘Kim Young Chul’s Power FM’.

Yunho (aka U-Know) spoke affectionately of actor, singer Son Ho-jun, and expressed that he sees him as a son, even though Son Ho-jun is older than him. The pair have been longtime pals since before Yunho debuted. Yunho is 34 and Son Ho-jun is 36.

Yunho (Source: yunho2154 Instagram)

“Ho-jun hyung is kind of like my oldest son,” he said, according to Allkpop. Hyung is a Korean word typically meaning “older brother” and used from a younger male to an elder male. “I have a lot of affection for him, and I feel so happy when he’s doing well,” Yunho expressed and humbly noted that he desires more success for his friend than himself: “I want to see him succeed more than I want my own success.”

When Yunho was asked by a listener about his fatherly stance toward his friend and why he chose to use the term “son” instead of one that expresses “younger brother,” the idol then shared it is because he worries over him as he would for a son.  

Actor Son Ho-jun attends the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards at COEX D Hall on May 01, 2019 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

“When he first started out, Ho-jun hyung went through a lot of tough times, which is why I am always worrying over him like he’s my son,” he stated, noting, “But he’s also older than me and very mature, so he would never feel like my donsaeng.” The word donsaeng is used to refer to one’s younger sibling or a younger friend.

Yunho further described their relationship when another listener asked him if he has any future plans with his longtime friend. He said, “Son Ho-jun is very realistic, and I’m a bit more romantic. When I told him that I want to build a bridge that connects our two houses together, he was just like, ‘That’s just ridiculous’.” 

Son Ho-jun has also spoken openly about his friendship with Yunho. Back in 2014, the actor shared his in-depth thoughts for his pal, whom he described as his “savior” before becoming famous. According to Soompi, Ho Joon said, “It was from the time I knew Yunho that I started working in broadcasting. When I was acting in Gwangju, one of my juniors in the theater company introduced me to Yunho. At that time, Yunho was Dana‘s rapper. We were both striving [artists] at that time.”

He continued, “When I came to Seoul, I was able to come out on broadcast through the manager that Yunho introduced to me.”

“Although Yunho is younger than me, he’s my senior in the community. Whenever I go one step up, he gives me advices (sic). The first thing he said was, ‘Before hyung changes, the attitude of people around you changes (first),’ and told me to not be shaken and to be humble.” He noted, “Yunho was my savior until I became the actor Son Ho-jun.”

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