Guest star Gabi humorously introduced herself as a representative of ADHD, resonating deeply with the detailed explanations of the condition shared during the show. She candidly shared her struggles with forgetfulness, often failing to return items left by friends visiting her home.
When Lee Chan-won jokingly asked if her home was accumulating others' belongings, Gabi wittily replied, "Things come in freely, but they don't leave as easily," sparking laughter on set.
Jang Do-yeon noted that Gabi's challenges are not unique, mentioning that figures like Elon Musk, Isaac Newton, and Salvador Dali also had ADHD. Lee Chan-won added, "They are geniuses at the pinnacle of their fields." Professor Kim Bung-nyeon explained, "ADHD is characterized by a lack of attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness," but emphasized the hidden potential within the condition.
Professor Kim further explained that individuals have varying capacities for memory, with some managing multiple tasks simultaneously, while others struggle with more than two.
Listening to Gabi's experiences, Professor Kim analyzed them as a successful adaptation, positively utilizing ADHD traits. The show highlighted historical geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci, Winston Churchill, and Isaac Newton, who exhibited ADHD characteristics such as distractibility and hyper-focus.
The revelation that Leonardo da Vinci's unique handwriting might be a clue to his attention deficit traits surprised the cast. Jang Do-yeon also shared her struggle with resisting short-form video temptations at night, reflecting a common modern dilemma of dopamine addiction.
Professor Kim reiterated that ADHD should not be seen merely as a defect to be corrected, but as a trait that can be transformed into unique creativity through management and strategy. He detailed non-pharmacological treatments like neurofeedback and digital therapeutics, indicating that the condition is now within a controllable realm. Gabi's candid confession and the expert's in-depth analysis provided viewers with an opportunity to break prejudices about the disorder and embrace self-acceptance.
Im Chae-ryeong, Ten Asia Reporter syjj426@tenasia.co.kr