K-Daughter's Heartfelt Plea on 'Marriage Hell' Resonates with Viewers

On January 20, MBC's 'Oh Eun-young Report – Marriage Hell' (결혼지옥) captured the attention of viewers, particularly those aged 20 to 49, achieving the highest ratings in its time slot. According to Nielsen Korea, the show recorded a 1.4% rating in the coveted 2049 demographic, marking it as the most competitive program during that hour.

This episode was the third installment of a four-part family counseling special, focusing on the 'K-Daughter Family.' It featured a poignant story about a daughter who, despite being married and independent, feels compelled to address her parents' issues as the eldest daughter. She recounted a previous dark period in the family caused by her father's behavior.

The mother frequently expressed her desire to abandon family life due to her husband's persistent old habits. She felt overwhelmed by the need to conform to her husband's morning routine and decisions made without consultation, leading her to consider separation. The daughter voiced her fears of reliving past traumas.

Desperate for help, the daughter reached out to the show. Park Ji-min, the host, commented on the husband's unilateral control over the household, which the father seemed unaware of, as he expressed a desire to mend his relationship with his children. He appeared puzzled by the term 'unilateral' and defended his decisions.

The father’s day began at 4 AM with a rigorous routine that included cleaning and exercising, showcasing impressive dance skills. However, this lifestyle came at the cost of his wife's well-being, as she was often awakened at 5 AM to prepare breakfast, leading to her chronic sleep deprivation.

After breakfast, the father dedicated four hours to studying English, followed by a 15 km round trip on his bicycle and three hours of table tennis at the gym, all in pursuit of his dream of a 'world cycling tour.' His family expressed concern over his intense drive, recalling a previous family crisis triggered by his excessive ambition.

Three years ago, the father had ambitiously opened a meat restaurant in Saipan, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to close it. While reorganizing, he decided to change careers through study, unilaterally converting his son's room into a study without consent. This led the son to borrow money from his sister to move out immediately. The father had also made significant decisions regarding the restaurant without consulting his wife.

The family highlighted a recurring issue: the father's habit of collecting items without discussion, which had previously led to a cluttered home and strained relationships. Dr. Oh Eun-young diagnosed the father with symptoms of hypomania, noting that such conditions often lead to decreased sleep needs and increased spending.

The family had faced numerous challenges due to the father's bipolar disorder, exacerbated by the IMF crisis and the pandemic. Dr. Oh expressed disappointment that the family had avoided confronting these issues directly.

In an effort to foster family unity, the eldest daughter planned a family trip, but the car ride was filled with awkwardness rather than excitement. She hoped for respectful dialogue between her parents, but their conversation veered off course, leading to frustration.

During a meal, the daughter expressed concern over her father's behavior, which mirrored past symptoms of his bipolar disorder. The mother recounted a time when she had to leave due to the father's unpredictable actions, which had even led to a near-fraud incident. The family had ultimately resorted to involuntary hospitalization for the father due to his erratic behavior.

The father revealed that participating in the show helped him realize he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the past. He admitted to only taking medication without proper treatment and lacked understanding of his mental health needs.

Dr. Oh explained that hospitalization is often necessary for bipolar patients when they pose a risk to themselves or require intensive treatment. She lamented that earlier intervention could have prevented deeper family conflicts.

The mother also revealed a more significant crisis: the father’s infidelity. During a conversation about this issue, the mother struggled to contain her emotions, while the father responded dismissively, which further upset her. The mother criticized his trivialization of the affair, comparing it to school bullying, while the father attempted to justify his actions by stating that many people experience bullying.

The mother sought genuine empathy and an apology from her husband, but instead faced defensiveness. Dr. Oh pointed out the flaws in the father's reasoning, emphasizing that statements like 'I did some good things too' undermine sincere apologies. She advised the father to offer a heartfelt apology and engage in meaningful dialogue with his wife about the infidelity.