"'Joseon's sweetheart' Taejin-ah's son, actor and singer Iru's recent news that he moved in to care for his mother, who is battling dementia, was revealed and brought deep resonance."
On the 16th broadcast of TV CHOSUN 'Joseon's sweetheart', the condition of Ms. Ok Kyung-i, diagnosed with severe dementia in the seventh year since onset, was reported.
That day the attending physician explained, "Currently, you can consider her to be in a baby-like state" and "When her condition is good, she may occasionally produce one or two meaningful responses, but usually it is difficult to expect that. You need a mindset that accepts all the patient's words and actions," Taejin-ah sighed deeply, saying, "Caring for a dementia patient is heavy on the heart because there is no conversation," yet he did not give up hope, saying, "Still, there will be a miracle."
Meanwhile, the broadcast showed Iru moving into the house to care for his mother and living with her. As Taejin-ah and Iru took turns caring for her, Iru naturally continued the caregiving, saying, "Mom, today is your bath day." It was said that Ms. Ok Kyung-i was comfortable with her son giving her a bath, and a scene showed him taking charge of the bathing. The scene of him tenderly caring for his mother, saying, "Mom is the prettiest," added to the poignancy.
Iru recalled when he first heard the dementia diagnosis, saying, "I thought it was a lie. I couldn't accept it for two to three years," and "I came in at dawn and saw mom staggering and holding onto dad, and I thought dad might get hurt like this. Both of them are elderly, so I thought I had to take charge," he confessed. The background of why he accepted reality for the family and began caregiving was revealed.
At the end of the broadcast, when the couple Kim Kook Jin and Kang Susie visited the house, Ms. Ok Kyung-i showed a reaction as if recognizing Kang Susie, surprising everyone. The scene grew solemn as she appeared briefly pleased as if an old memory had come back.
The time of caregiving that the family endures together, and Iru's confession that "I had to do something for my mother" brought viewers to tears. After the broadcast, messages of support such as "I'm glad she's not alone," "The son is really reliable," and "You can feel the love of the family" have continued.
[Photo] 'Joseon's sweetheart'
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