Review: This is a review article written after watching the broadcast.
"Mongle counseling center" concluded its eight-week journey, sincerely portraying the love and growth stories of young people with developmental disabilities. Support continues, hoping that more Mongle members can confidently step out into the world.
On the 22nd, the final episode of SBS Special "My heart is mongle-mongle counseling center" featured counseling center director Lee Hyori and Lee Sang Soon and "Mongle" Oh Ji-hyun, Yu Ji-hoon and Jeong Ji-won gathering in one place to watch the last dates and look back on the past times.
The Mongle members went on their first blind dates they had dreamed of. Among them, Jeong Ji-won took her first train trip alone without family help. Although the trip finally departed after many ups and downs, it was rocky from the start. They tried to adjust to each other but grew awkward as their opinions clashed, and eventually Do-a could not hold back her emotions and cried. Ji-won was embarrassed, saying "there is a misunderstanding," and the situation led to individual interviews with production staff intervention.
Ji-won honestly expressed her anxiety about the situation not going as planned, saying "because it was my first trip, I wanted it to go according to plan." Later, Ji-won approached Do-a first; although clumsy, she sincerely tried to mend things, and the two rebuilt their relationship by learning firsthand that "opinions can differ." Then the two boarded the cable car. Do-a gently patted the frightened Ji-won, and Ji-won expressed gratitude, saying "I was scared, but when someone said 'it's okay' I began to like them." It was a scene of the two learning small acts of consideration and respect.
Next, Yu Ji-hoon and Jeon So-yeon's second date was portrayed. At the skating rink the two naturally held hands and seemed to grow closer, saying "shall I hold you?", but miscommunication shook their relationship. Ji-hoon let go of her hand, creating distance, and exhausted So-yeon eventually left the rink after even suffering a foot injury.
So-yeon frankly confessed, "I felt bad because you went ahead first," and Ji-hoon apologized, saying "my pace was fast." He repeatedly apologized, saying, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, I'm sorry," and reflected on his actions. Especially in his words, "I won't skate alone next time" and "what would have been better to say?", the process of learning about relationships was fully revealed. Although they were clumsy at reading each other's feelings, it was the sincere 모습 of young people in their twenties. After an awkward and clumsy start, Ji-hoon learned about relationships through misunderstanding and reconciliation. Later, with a special education teacher, he also looked into his own feelings and took on new challenges.
After the eight-week date project ended, Lee Hyori and Lee Sang Soon warmly cheered, saying "I hope flower buds will fully bloom in our kids' romantic lives as well."
And on the day before the final choice, Oh Ji-hyun, Yu Ji-hoon and Jeong Ji-won chose their final date partners. Ji-hyun arrived at the date location with a heart paper and a confession letter prepared, and shared honest feelings with Jun-hyuk, saying "I wanted to see you again." As they linked arms and drew hearts, getting closer, confessions continued with "my heart opened a lot." Their pure appearances shone and drew attention.
Finally revealed was Jeong Ji-won and Do-a's date, which was like a drama. After a theater date, the two shared their inner feelings while eating tteokbokki together. Ji-won sincerely said, "I was scared on the cable car, but I fell for you when you said it's okay," and made a direct confession, "I like Do-a." Lee Dae and Do-a stepped away briefly and took Ji-won, and in the "time for just the two of them" that even embarrassed the production staff, they confirmed their feelings. At that moment, Ji-won's patience waiting for the shy Do-a, who hesitated and could not open up easily, was also impressive. In the end, Do-a answered, "Yes, let's date," and Ji-won said, "Day one from today," held hands and confirmed their feelings, receiving everyone's congratulations.
Especially as the couple became day one of dating, they could not hide their embarrassment even when asked questions by the production staff. Do-a laughed, saying "my heart is broken," and Ji-won conveyed excitement, saying "love is difficult, but wouldn't it be better to try one more time?" Thus, the two who started dating from their first blind date walked arm in arm and tenderly went together toward a new beginning, moving viewers.
Lee Hyori also mentioned the growth of the Mongle members who experienced various things beyond blind dates. She beamed at Ji-hyun's words, "I traveled alone and even cooked ramen," and encouraged Ji-hoon, who is fearful in unfamiliar places, saying, "I hope you meet new people and try many things you haven't done." She sincerely added, "I learned a lot from watching you, and your pure energy healed me."
The Mongle members also spoke of their changed feelings. Ji-won said, "I'm happy to be out and have friends," and Ji-hyun revealed her excitement, saying, "dating is sweet like honey." Their impressions of learning about the world one step at a time with pure eyes were striking.
The families' interviews in particular left a deep impression. Ji-hyun's older sister said, "My sibling has more things they want to try alone," adding, "there are parts where we must respect their independence," and shared her grown 모습, and the parents also said, "Just because someone has a disability doesn't mean you should think they'll be lonely without parents. We'll pay more attention to letting them be independent so they can try on their own," saying, "we will help them try on their own." Especially Ji-hoon's mother recalled, "My goal was to live a daily life," and "I taught everything one by one, from tone of voice and walking gait to expressing emotions." She conveyed the traces of long-accumulated effort, saying, "We had to learn to read people's feelings, too." Ji-hoon's mother said, "Watching my son, various aspects keep getting a little better. I'm glad he accomplished things I never imagined," and she revealed the parenting diary she had written while raising Ji-hoon. It contained entries like, "You are truly a blessed child, Mom is trying," which left a lump in the throat.
Despite numerous challenges and failures, the Mongle members took steps closer to the world. The caption carrying the message "challenge, fail, love" added to the meaning. Their stories showed that they are not the stories of a special someone but the records of young people with disabilities who are by no means different from Korea's youth. Clumsy but sincere in love, Mongle members who when they fall, take each other's hands and get up again. From their respective places, I cheer for the Mongle members living diligently to step out into the world more confidently as simply "ordinary young people."
[Photo] "Mongle counseling center"
[OSEN]