SBS's 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny' celebrated its 400th episode with a touching portrayal of family love that transcends marriage, featuring Jung Eun-hye and Cho Young-nam. The special episode left a warm impression on viewers.
According to Nielsen Korea, the episode aired on the 11th achieved a 4.3% viewership rating in the Seoul metropolitan area, securing the top spot in its time slot and among all Monday entertainment shows. The 2049 demographic rating was 1.5%, marking the second consecutive week it topped all entertainment, drama, and educational programs, with peak minute ratings reaching 5.7%.
To commemorate its 400th episode, 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' is airing a six-week special themed 'Love That Keeps Us Alive.' The first week featured caricature artist and actress Jung Eun-hye, who has Down syndrome, and her husband Cho Young-nam. Their pure and genuine love story resonated deeply with viewers. The episode on the 11th continued to reveal the fateful story of Jung Eun-hye's family.
Jung Eun-hye had a video call with actress Han Ji-min, her twin sister in the drama 'Our Blues,' maintaining a special bond. When asked about her newlywed life, Jung Eun-hye shared, "We're living happily," sparking envy from Han Ji-min.
The episode also unveiled the family's journey through challenging times. Jung Eun-hye's mother, Jang Cha-hyun-sil, who gave birth to her at the young age of 26, shared her initial shock and despair upon realizing her daughter had a disability. She revealed, "I realized the source of my unhappiness wasn't the situation but the way people looked at us." This realization led her to embrace her role as a mother with renewed courage.
Jang Cha-hyun-sil also discussed her decision to stop her daughter's education, stating, "The educational efforts only reinforced Eun-hye's identity as a person with a disability." Her father, Seo Dong-il, shared the heartbreaking story of Eun-hye's isolation as an adult, living in a metaphorical cave, cut off from the world. Eun-hye herself candidly spoke about her struggles with social anxiety and schizophrenia.
It was art that eventually brought Eun-hye out of her isolation. At 23, her family recognized her potential when she first started drawing and encouraged her to create caricatures at local flea markets, marking the beginning of her career as a caricature artist.
Eun-hye's younger brother, Seo Eun-baek, who is 15 years her junior, also opened up about his difficult past. He recalled a moment when he questioned why he was born into such a family, leading to an emotional outburst. It was only after experiencing his own mental struggles that he began to understand his sister.
The episode also touched on the family's discussions about having a second child. Seo Dong-il and Seo Eun-baek questioned whether it was right for the family to make such decisions, while Jang Cha-hyun-sil expressed concerns about the family's ability to care for another child. Cho Young-nam, who had previously expressed a desire for children, revealed his fears about having a child with a disability, moving both the family and the studio audience.
In a subsequent interview, Cho Young-nam shared his worries about having a child with a disability, given his own challenges. Jang Cha-hyun-sil expressed her gratitude for his honesty and encouraged him to continue discussing their concerns openly.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr