SBS Special 'Monggeul Counseling Center' producer Go Hye-rin directly revealed the background for planning the country's first dating growth program for young people with developmental disabilities.
The SBS Special 'My heart is soft and fluffy - Monggeul counseling center' (hereinafter 'Monggeul counseling center', directed by Go Hye-rin), which premieres on the 8th at 11:05 p.m., is drawing attention as 14-year married couple and entertainment industry icons Lee Hyori and Lee Sang Soon, known as a representative sweet couple in show business, step in as 'counseling center chiefs' to support the romances of young people with developmental disabilities who dream of love (hereinafter 'Monggeul'). In addition, during the production of the theme song for 'Monggeul counseling center,' music director Noh Young-shim from Extraordinary Attorney Woo gifted a song that Lee Hyori sings herself and Lee Sang Soon produced, offering full support, prompting interest in what kind of response this project—born with the encouragement of many—will evoke.
Producer Go Hye-rin of 'Monggeul counseling center' is a skilled director who last year won the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards - broadcast category, the award for educational programming, through the documentary 'Hakjeon and the rest: Kim Min-gi.' Announcing another challenge with a 'coming-of-age story of young people with developmental disabilities' that no one has shown before, Go Hye-rin conveyed a special story behind the planning of 'Monggeul counseling center.'
Producer Go Hye-rin said, "This program began with my younger brother, who is a man in his 20s with a developmental disability," adding, "Five years ago, not long after my brother became an adult, I first submitted a proposal. I asked myself then, 'Am I really treating my brother as an adult?' Thinking it over, I realized I had never even imagined my brother would date. When you think of the words youth and young adulthood, love and romance naturally follow, but when faced with the phrase 'young person with a developmental disability,' that connection didn't come easily. Areas we don't think about are treated as if they don't exist. And when something is regarded as not existing, I think the person involved reaches a point where they give up themselves. So I felt this story needed to be told." He continued, "Over five years, my brother dated several times and I watched that process. Through that time I began to view my brother from the perspective of 'a young person's life.' I think this program is less about explaining developmental disabilities and more about re-examining 'youth,' a concept we didn't easily imagine."
On why Lee Hyori and Lee Sang Soon were recruited as 'counseling center chiefs,' she recalled, "Five years ago, I made a piece called 'Hyori and Sungsim' about their pet dog Sungsim and met them then. Their sincere, wholehearted approach made a strong impression. I also remember when I first explained this plan to them, they said, 'This seems like a story that is truly necessary.' I was very grateful that they agreed it was necessary because it's an area many people haven't deeply considered." She added, "I thought adults who see young people with developmental disabilities as 'young people' before 'people with disabilities' were needed for this program, so we invited them, and their perspective strengthened the center of the program. Thanks to them, the story of 'Monggeul counseling center' became much richer," expressing gratitude.
Producer Go Hye-rin said she was impressed by the attitude of Lee Hyori and Lee Sang Soon toward the program. She said, "This program was somewhat different in tone from usual broadcasting sites. Although not everything could be included in the broadcast, Lee Hyori and Lee Sang Soon accompanied the journeys of young people with developmental disabilities for a long period. They often met, and through that process they came to understand each other more deeply, naturally having conversations as 'young people' and 'life seniors.' The two led conversations in their own frank and sincere way, and the participants were also candid and genuine. Rather than treating them as stars, they felt like close older sisters and brothers who cheered them on."
So how were the so-called 'Monggeul'—who will unfold their dating growth through 'Monggeul counseling center'—found? Producer Go Hye-rin said, "We first explained the program's intent to institutions and organizations that meet young people with developmental disabilities, and many people contacted us. We conducted more than 500 interviews," conveying the strong response. She continued, "What I felt most while producing was that far more young people with developmental disabilities genuinely wanted such a space than I expected. It felt like more than simply wanting to appear on TV; they truly wanted to meet someone and experience dating."
Producer Go Hye-rin said, "Every moment was astonishing," and shared her impressions of watching the romances of young people with developmental disabilities up close. She said, "The production team always tried to predict situations, but we couldn't foresee anything, from the mood of the first blind date to the outcome of the first confession. Yet one thing was clear: the participants did not try to hide their feelings in any situation, nor did they exaggerate to look good; they approached every moment with the most honest and sincere attitude." She emphasized, "At some point we felt we should accept the moment as it was rather than trying to predict or force an interpretation. After that, we saw them not as 'special because they have a developmental disability' but simply as young people who feel excitement, disappointment, and summon courage again. Ultimately, while filming I became more certain that this program is not about disability but about youth."
Finally, Producer Go Hye-rin picked out viewing points for 'Monggeul counseling center' ahead of the first broadcast, saying, "Episode 1 is a story about the 'firsts' of the young people who visit 'Monggeul counseling center.' Challenges of first blind dates, first dates and first loves unfold. Everyone recalls awkward, clumsy moments when they think back to their first love. Even if it's not about dating, if you've ever cheered on someone's first challenge, you will likely empathize naturally. The small failures and moments of growth that occur in that process are ultimately stories of all of us." She went on, "I hope this program creates a forum to talk about the lives, dating and love of young people with developmental disabilities. This program cannot represent all the lives of young people with developmental disabilities, but if such discussions begin, I think that alone is meaningful. I am ready to accept criticism willingly. I think that means many more stories are needed," she said sincerely.
First broadcast on the 8th at 11:05 p.m.
[photo] 'My heart is soft and fluffy - Monggeul counseling center'
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