Hwang Guk-Jong is a supporting character in Strong Girl Nam-Soon. The character is played by Lim Ra-Hyong.
Gil Joong-Gan, grandmother of Nam-Soon and mother of Hwang Geum-Ju, has been alone for over ten years since her husband left the family to go on a journey of self-discovery.
Now he’s come back, and while Joong-Gan is now romantically involved with Seo Jun-Hee, Hwang Guk-Jong eyes a swift reunion and resumption of his marriage to Joong-Gan.
Ticket to Tibet
Guk-Jong left his family and wife out of the blue one day and went straight to the remote whereabouts in Tibet, wandering the hilly stations in a journey of self-discovery.
The family felt the effects of abandonment and while his children remained concerned and curious about him, Joong-Gan eventually grew out of it and came to resent him. She even states that he’s as good as dead to her.
In his long absence, the flame of romance is finally reignited in her by the handsome barista Seo Jun-Hee, who works for her son. He catches her eye and it’s love at first sight for her. Soon, he falls for her too.
It’s not long before their blooming romance is cut short by Hwang Guk-Jong’s abrupt return.
He tells everyone later that he started having stomach problems in Tibet and also that he had gone there to search for his missing granddaughter Gang Nam-Soon.
An audacious return
Hwang Guk-Jong returns to Korea as suddenly as he has left it. His son and daughter are thrilled, overwhelmed, and emotional at his return. Joong-Gan is anything but happy.
She receives him at the airport and after seeing his giddy, clueless, and tone-deaf celebration of return and the surety with which he announces his commitment to their marriage thenceforth, she breaks his back.
Admitted to the hospital, his ignorance persists, and as he reunites with his children many times, Joong-Gan keeps being furious with him. She later goes on to make it clear she wants to separate officially, but he remains adamant that he won’t leave her.
The irony and audacity elude him as he also fights Seo Jun-Hee when the latter reveals his relationship with Joong-Gan. Hwang Juk-Gong refuses to recognize his mistakes and apologize for them, as well as gracefully parting ways with Joong-Gan.
Also Read: Gil Joong-Gan: Strong Girl Nam-Soon character explained
