"O Eun-young report—family hell" features the "Ae-mo family," who lived for 30 years trapped in a cycle of violence.
On the 9th, the MBC program "O Eun-young report—family hell" (hereafter "family hell") aired the second part of the "Ae-mo family" story, following last week. In the first episode, a son who still fears his mother after suffering child abuse from her sparked a strong reaction. This episode shone a light on the story of the "Ae-mo family" daughter, another victim of abuse, bringing fresh shock and sorrow to viewers.
The "Ae-mo family" daughter spent most of her day in her room playing games. Except for sleep and brief periods helping her mother with farm work, she was immersed in games all day. The daughter, who had worked as a nursing assistant at her mother's urging, quit the hospital two years ago and became even more absorbed in gaming. The mother expressed anxiety about her daughter, saying, "It doesn't seem normal."
The mother, who last week lashed out at her son with harsh words, became extremely tense when the daughter stepped out of her room. The mother, struggling, attempted to start a conversation with her daughter, and the mother's confession left the MCs speechless. The mother admitted, "Seeing a nephew who is a month younger than my daughter, I wondered why my daughter was so lacking. In my upset state, I hit my daughter," shocking viewers. Even in the difficult face-to-face meeting with her daughter, the mother again wounded her by making comparative remarks. The daughter could not utter a proper word in front of her mother and only cried.
In an interview with production staff, the daughter sobbed, "In the game they tell me I'm good, that I'm amazing, that I'm brave. That's why I cling to it more." The "Ae-mo family" daughter, who chose seclusion—locking herself in her room—because of long-standing wounds from her mother and shattered self-esteem, mustered the courage to appear in the studio and said calmly, "I don't clearly remember being hit by my mother," adding to the viewers' sadness.
Dr. O Eun-young firmly told the mother, "The thing you must never do when raising children is compare them." She emphasized, "Regardless of the outcome, acknowledging a child as a person is more important than anything else." Dr. O also offered a concrete solution, saying, "You must try to listen to the language of the heart. When your daughter cries, ask, 'When do you cry?' or 'What makes you cry?'—that is the language of the heart."
Another shocking moment for viewers was the father's indifference in the "Ae-mo family." While the mother and siblings were seriously discussing past abuse, the father turned away, smiling and continuing a phone call. The son startled the MCs by saying, "Since my father stopped using violence, he doesn't want to hear uncomfortable stories," shocking the MCs.
The mother went on, "Until last year I was subjected to harassment by my husband. When I was full-term pregnant he hit me so badly I had to put patches all over my body. I applied to 'O Eun-young report' hoping I wouldn't be harassed anymore, but my husband refused to appear," she confessed. Dr. O Eun-young sent a message to the father watching the broadcast, saying, "Neglect is also a form of violence," and, "You must acknowledge the fear of being unable to control your emotions."
Dr. O Eun-young's practical healing report was also revealed. For the son, she emphasized creating a boundary, that is, a safe base to maintain emotional stability with his mother. For the daughter, she cautiously suggested leaving the house temporarily to receive sufficient rest and treatment at a hospital. To the mother, she urged that she frequently express praise and love to her son and daughter.
The "Ae-mo family," unable to easily break the chain of abuse that repeated for 30 years. Toward the end of the broadcast, images showed them spending ordinary daily life like any other family, leaving a small glimmer of hope.
[Photo] MBC 'O Eun-young report — family hell' broadcast capture
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