SBS Special 'My Heart is Mongle Mongle - Mongle Counseling Center' (hereafter referred to as 'Mongle Counseling Center') is a program that follows the journey of young adults with developmental disabilities, known as Mongle individuals, as they receive romantic coaching from counselors Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon over an eight-week period to find their first love.
The show, which is a three-part series, has aired its second episode and is gaining traction as a heartfelt portrayal of the romantic and personal growth of young adults with developmental disabilities. This is evidenced by its ratings, as the latest episode ranked first in its time slot among terrestrial channels, and the 2049 demographic ratings have doubled since the first episode. Additionally, it has maintained its position in Netflix's 'Today's Top 10 Series in Korea,' ranking 8th as of March 17.
The show's success and positive reception can also be attributed to the presence of Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon, who play a pivotal role beyond typical mentors in romantic programs, symbolizing the authenticity of 'Mongle Counseling Center.'
Producer Go Hye-rin, who planned and directed 'Mongle Counseling Center,' explained the reason for casting the couple, stating, "We needed adults who could see young adults with developmental disabilities as 'youths' before 'disabilities,' which led us to invite them."
The final episode of 'Mongle Counseling Center' will air on March 22 at 11:05 PM.
Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia Reporter yoon@tenasia.co.kr