The 'Beet Family' made an appearance on 'Oh Eun-young Report - Family Hell'.
On October 16, MBC's variety show 'Oh Eun-young Report' aired its third installment of the 'Family Hell' series. This special segment focuses on the deep wounds family members can inflict on each other due to their close relationships.
In the third episode, the 'Beet Family' caught viewers' attention with a mother who controls every aspect of her 25-year-old son's life. From his diet to his sleep, she claims to be providing 'proper upbringing', leaving audiences shocked.
The mother's unique health regimen was particularly striking. For four years, she has served beet porridge daily, a concoction of beets, burdock, nuts, ginger tea, and greens, which left the hosts in disbelief. Her constant worry about her son's health even extended to concerns about dementia, prompting a hospital visit. Despite the doctor's advice against her dietary choices, she persisted with the beet porridge, fearing radiation from CT scans.
Ignoring medical advice to avoid pureed foods, the mother continued to offer beet porridge to her son. Her unwavering control led to her son injuring his hand in frustration. Dr. Oh Eun-young observed, "The house is filled with photos of her son as a child. It seems she still sees him as that child and is trying to make up for what she couldn't do then." She cautiously inquired if the mother's fears were rooted in her family history.
The mother shared a heartbreaking story about her own mother, revealing, "My mother was unwell since I was young. I wanted to take her to the hospital, but all I could do was care for her." This underlying sadness fueled her health anxieties. She tearfully admitted, "My son is so precious to me, which led to this misguided affection."
The family's long-standing issues extended to the son and father. The son, who struggled with sleep as a child, recalled, "My father would yell and hit me for not sleeping. Since then, I can't make eye contact with people." His difficulties in social interactions, including dropping out of college three times and struggling in the military, were linked to these memories.
The stark contrast between the father's past behavior and his current supportive role surprised the hosts. The father expressed regret, saying, "I didn't realize it left such a deep scar and affected him to this extent. I'm truly sorry."
Dr. Oh Eun-young advised, "Experiences with parents in childhood impact a child's entire life. If a child feels unsafe expressing their opinions to their parents, they may fear speaking up in groups or organizations. Parents need to provide experiences where their child's opinions are valued to help them develop their own thoughts and standards."
The 'Beet Family' father acknowledged, "I lacked the patience to accept my child with open arms," and apologized again. The mother also promised, "I'm sorry for everything. I love you," and vowed to stop insisting on the beet porridge. It was a moment of healing for the family, slowly unraveling the wounds and anxieties that had bound them for so long.
Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr