TV CHOSUN hyperrealistic documentary variety show '조선의 사랑꾼' featured Taejin-ah♥Okkyung-i couple, who returned after two years for a Lunar New Year special, recalling their life in the United States and revealing daily life during dementia treatment. Kim Kook Jin♥Kang Susie also headed to Taejin-ah's home to watch the U.S. footage for reminiscence therapy and spent a special time together. The broadcast nationwide rating that day was 4.1%, and the peak minute rating was 4.5% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide), achieving the No. 1 spot among Lunar New Year special variety shows.
On Monday the 16th episode of '조선의 사랑꾼,' 'trot emperor' Taejin-ah, who two years earlier had shown a tender daily life with his wife Okkyung-i while she was battling dementia, appeared before his wife and viewers. Kim Kook Jin said he worried about the couple's daily life after watching the dementia battle two years ago, noting, "Even when I watch trot programs and a senior isn't there, I wonder 'how are they doing.'"
In the VCR, Taejin-ah appeared pushing his wife's wheelchair as her mobility became difficult. Taejin-ah expressed hope about Okkyung-i's condition, but the doctor who also treated her two years ago diagnosed her with "severe dementia," explaining, "She can be seen as childlike." The doctor gave a blunt diagnosis, saying, "Although there may occasionally be one or two words of conversation, she does not engage in meaningful conversation ordinarily," and recommended "reminiscence therapy." On the way home, as Okkyung-i ate a tangerine from him, Taejin-ah comforted her, saying, "There is such a thing as a miracle, honey."
Then Taejin-ah traveled to the United States for the first time in 25 years to film the "reminiscence therapy" footage recommended by the doctor, visiting places filled with the couple's youth and the gravesite of his mother-in-law. While heading to the grave with his brother-in-law, Hwangbo praised him, saying, "Among the lovers on '조선의 사랑꾼,' you are number one," as Taejin-ah sang a self-composed song just for Okkyung-i.
During a short phone call with his wife's close friend Okja, Taejin-ah's long-held tears burst forth. He also wept uncontrollably at his mother-in-law's gravesite. Having brought all the snacks his mother-in-law liked in life, he broke down, pleading, "Please make Okkyung-i's dementia better." In front of his Korean family, he unleashed all his wounded feelings he could not show, desperately praying, "Please don't let Okkyung-i be in pain... if she cannot get better... let her remain in this state," drawing tears. The onlookers also cried at Taejin-ah's earnest wish.
Meanwhile, Kang Susie and Kim Kook Jin, who have been close to the Taejin-ah couple since before the onset of dementia, went to the house where Okkyung-i is staying. Recognizing Kang Susie immediately and greeting her, Okkyung-i watched the U.S. footage Taejin-ah filmed with a bright face and went on a trip down memory lane. From the hectic streets of America where they hustled while peddling goods to warm greetings from Okkyung-i's acquaintances, Taejin-ah brought back traces of the past. He marshaled songs loved by acquaintances, memories from his youth in America where he devoted himself, and songs his wife liked before dementia to bring out his wife's wide smile. Singing songs for his eternal muse Okkyung-i, he succeeded in getting Okkyung-i to sing the highlight part of the song "Okkyung-i" again after several years, creating a heartwarming moment. Taejin-ah confessed his passionate love to Okkyung-i, saying, "I love you and I will protect you forever."
Independently of the production team's shooting schedule, a video letter Taejin-ah filmed alone for his wife was also released. Staying at the hotel where he and Okkyung-i once stayed, he recalled memories with his wife and reiterated the wish he had prayed at his mother-in-law's grave, saying, "It's hard... very hard. I cried so much at my mother-in-law's gravesite earlier because it was cold." He poured out his feelings again, saying, "I miss you, and though it's only been a day since we parted it feels like a month. I love you," moving hearts once more.
'조선의 사랑꾼' airs every Monday at 10 p.m.
[photo] '조선의 사랑꾼'
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