Matthew Douma, the father of I.O.I member Jeon Somi, opened up about the prejudice and discrimination he and his Korean wife faced on their way to marriage — a story that’s now sparking conversation.
On June 3, actress Sunwoo Yong-yeo shared a YouTube video on her channel featuring a meetup with Matthew in Busan. The two dined together, visited a temple, and had an honest heart-to-heart about family and life.
Canadian-born Matthew currently runs a smoked salmon restaurant in Korea. He first connected with the country through taekwondo and, with a deep interest in Buddhism, even practiced Bulmudo — a Buddhist martial art — showing his long-standing love for Korean culture. Reflecting on the time he married his Korean wife, Matthew began, "My wife went through so much because of me."
He recalled, "We filed our marriage registration at City Hall. When we were at Seoul City Hall, right before stamping the seal, the civil servant asked my wife, 'Why didn’t you marry a Korean man?'" He added, "Thinking about it now, that would be newsworthy today, but back then it wasn’t uncommon." He continued, "That was just one of many incidents. Because she married me, my wife faced countless inconveniences and difficulties. Everything became more complicated, and there were plenty of tough moments," sharing his candid feelings.
Hearing this, Sunwoo Yong-yeo expressed her regret, saying, "Marriage is a decision for the couple — why interfere like that?"
Matthew noted, "I think society has changed a lot now," but admitted, "There was definitely prejudice against international marriage at the time." He added, "When I meet people, I don’t categorize them by nationality. Not Korean or foreign — just people," revealing his philosophy.
He also shared the parenting approach he valued while raising his two daughters. "Rather than forcing things, I try to help them think and decide for themselves," he said. "For example, when it comes to brushing teeth, I’d say, 'Only brush the teeth you want to keep,' and the kids realize the importance on their own."
Matthew Douma holds dual citizenship in Canada and the Netherlands. He married his Korean partner and has two daughters, including Jeon Somi. He occasionally appears in various films and dramas and is well known — and loved — as Jeon Somi’s father.