The recent episode of Channel A's reality show 'My Golden Kids' left the studio in tears as a 10-year-old child from a family three months post-divorce shared a poignant moment.
Aired on the 13th, the episode featured the story of a single dad raising his son alone after a recent divorce.
During the show, the father expressed his concerns, saying, "I'm worried I might be missing something while raising my child alone, which we used to do together."
On the surface, the father and son appeared to have a close, friendly relationship, shopping and dining together as part of their daily routine. However, the child stood out with an unusually mature demeanor, choosing ingredients like 'grape seed oil' with a grown-up attitude.
The father noted, "My child doesn't express what he wants," to which Dr. Oh Eun-young observed, "It's because he doesn't want to be a burden. His behavior is overly mature for his age. Adults should act like adults, and children like children for a healthy relationship."
The child's life had recently undergone significant changes. After the parents' divorce, the family moved back to Korea from Canada. Just three months after returning, they faced another move. While saying goodbye to friends and teachers, the child tried to maintain a composed expression but showed signs of sadness.
A particularly touching moment occurred when the child, dining with his father, watched a family with a mother, evoking a sense of longing.
When asked, "How would it have been if you came with your mom?" the child deflected the question, changing the subject. Despite having a scheduled visit with his mother the next day, he struggled to express his feelings.
The father also expressed regret over the divorce, saying, "We never had major fights during our marriage. But my wife wanted a divorce to live her own life. I learned that in Korea, 80-90% of custody goes to the mother. I thought, 'Why should I lose my child when I did nothing wrong?' So I negotiated for custody. I regret telling my son, 'Mom abandoned us.'"
Dr. Oh noted, "The child shows signs of 'other-oriented self-sacrifice,' overly considering others' emotions. If this continues, he might prioritize others' feelings over his own."
In a psychological assessment, the child avoided revealing his feelings, marking 'X' for questions like "Who do you like?" and "What is your happiest memory?"
However, he answered one question.
To "What makes you saddest?" the child hesitated before writing, "Mom and Dad separating."
Even after meeting his mother, he didn't open up, referring to her as "just a lady" on the drive home with his father, suppressing his emotions.
Eventually, during a moment of vulnerability, the child's emotions surfaced.
"I wondered why I ended up with this family," he said, a heavy statement for a 10-year-old.
He continued, "I need my mom. I wish mom and dad could get along," shedding tears.
Despite his own pain, the child worried about his parents' feelings.
"Saying that might make mom and dad sad. I don't want to say anything," he said, considering their emotions.
The father's tears flowed at his child's honesty, and the studio, including Dr. Oh Eun-young, Hong Hyun-hee, Jung Hyung-don, and Shin Ae-ra, was moved to tears, creating a solemn atmosphere.
Na-yeon Cho, Ten Asia Reporter nybluebook@tenasia.co.kr