After Three Decades, Can Love Still Resurge?
In the fresh episode of Mediacorp’s “Being Together – A Family Portrait”, 49‑year‑old host Danny Yeo pulled off a heart‑warming reunion: a daughter re‑connected with her father after almost 30 years of silence.
Why the Journey Wasn’t Easy
- COVID‑19 turned skies into a travel‑ban zone, making cross‑border visits feel like a mission from a secret agency.
- Danny had to act as the bridge over one of the biggest emotional gaps the world has ever seen.
The Real‑Life Heroic Moment
When Danny stepped in, he helped heal the split between Ashitiana Cho and her dad—a relationship that had been on pause for more than three decades.
Back‑Story of the Long‑Lost Bond
- Ashitiana’s rebellious streak—always ditching curfew—got her father very, very angry.
- The furious reaction was intense enough that he tossed her stuff into a trash can.
- She ran away in a giant surge of frustration, and then… voilà—30 years of no contact.
- Her dad, allegedly drunk that fateful night, left her complaining without a second thought.
From Silence to Communication
After her mother passed, her father never reached out—no calls, no prayers, not even a text. He swapped phone numbers and moved out, turning their home into a ghost town.
Given the only line of contact was a relative’s new number, Cho tried again. Each call was met with a shut‑down wall and the relentless line: “Why are you calling? Not for any reason!”
He apparently assumed she was “bad for the family” and never could “make anything right.” But Danny’s persistence, and a few good words, turned that closing tone into a conversation starter.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just a story of a reunion; it’s proof that even after a generation of gaps, a trail of compassion, some patience, and a touch of humor can finally patch the heart (and maybe the family gate).
Bridging the divide
Danny’s Heart‑warming Visit to Cho’s Dad
Why the Trip Was Needed
After decades of distance, Danny wanted to patch up the broken link in his relationship with Cho’s family. The key? A humble hamper and a heartfelt wedding album.
The Hamper Load‑out
Cho herself hand‑picked every gift: a few local goodies, a sparkling keychain, and a meticulously curated wedding photo album. “It’s a personal touch,” Cho says, “and a token Danny can present to my father.”
Navigating an 83‑Year‑Old’s World
- Cho had traded globe‑trot adventures for a quiet Malaysian sanctuary, a change forced by the COVID‑19 travel bans.
- “I expected to be chased away by Ashitiana’s father with a broom,” Danny chuckles in his interview with Shin Min.
- He found out the old man speaks only Cantonese. Danny made a bold move: he spoke in Cantonese, and the ice cracked.
- “I wasn’t just walking into his home; I walked into his heart,” Danny reflects.
Age‑Old Hurdles
The father’s hearing was faltering, and vision had dimmed. “My daughter called, but I couldn’t hear her clearly – I just said, ‘Never mind!’,” the 83‑year‑old vomits out memories.
Those Heart‑breaking Muses
When Danny asked if his dad missed his kids, a pause and a brief sob followed. “I have a son and a daughter; I’m a father, of course I miss them,” he replied, a mix of humor and nostalgia.
Bringing Them Together
With the hamper delivered and consent to video‑call granted, Danny became the bridge between the two. After roughly 30 years of silence, the first meaningful conversation finally began, both sides filled with laughter, tears, and maybe a hint of “broom‑free” joy.
Family, Fame & an Unexpected Tear‑jerker
When Cho’s dad couldn’t hide the grin on his face, it turned into a full‑blown, uncontainable “sniff‑aha‑cry” moment.
Dad’s Wisdom (and a Sprinkle of Age)
“I’ve aged. Dad’s aged,” he chuckled, and then, with a dramatic reveal, said,
“I want to look after you.”
It wasn’t a “old‑man‑lament” moment; it was a new‑on‑the‑road‑drama before the cameras. Cho, ever the comedian, replied in a breezy tone, “I know, that’s why I’ve been trying to find you. I didn’t know how you were gonna pop up on my timeline.”
“What Happened After the Call?”
After the call, Danny – the beloved host of the show – asked the father on air whether he wished Cho could spend more time with him. He gave a silent nod and then broke into a modest chuckle. You could almost hear the “cool, at the same time angry” vibe behind that laugh.
Emotion on the Set
When recalling the set, Danny confided to a local daily that he was sobbing, thinking of all the stories that had shaped the episode. He whispered,
“I felt like I wasn’t just hosting a show – I was doing something good.”
And we all knew him for a reason: he’s a master at turning raw moments into heart‑warming stories.
What’s Up Next?
- Be Together – A Family Portrait is live now on meWATCH.
- The Asian Television Awards are taking place tomorrow (Dec 1) in Manila.
- London reportedly clinched a deal to retain a top star list of 32.
And More
In another headline: Lawrence Wong reveals his 2016 career turning point after a brain surgery that drained his savings and tragically caused his mother’s passing.
All in all, this episode reminds us that family, fame, and a splash of honesty can create a narrative that’s both touching and irreverent. Enjoy it!
