The 'Sister-Mom Family' made an appearance on 'Oh Eun-young Report: Family Hell'.
The final episode of the 'Family Hell' special aired on MBC's 'Oh Eun-young Report' on the 30th. This special expanded its focus from marital issues in 'Marriage Hell' to family problems, receiving praise for Dr. Oh Eun-young's precise analysis and the genuine reconciliation it facilitated. The episode featured the story of the fifth family, the 'Sister-Mom Family'.
The 'Sister-Mom Family' caught attention with the unique story of a single dad of 12 years and his two daughters. The 25-year-old eldest daughter displayed motherly traits, skillfully preparing side dishes and caring for her younger sister. In contrast, the 18-year-old younger daughter refused to eat, dropped out of high school, and led a reclusive life, even refusing to appear in the studio. She also showed reluctance to communicate with her father, often using harsh language.
The father sought Dr. Oh Eun-young's help to mend his relationship with his younger daughter. Both daughters pointed to their father's communication style as a problem, describing it as overly verbose and intense. Dr. Oh recalled meeting the younger daughter in the waiting room, noting, "Her face was filled with fear. She is extremely sensitive to auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli. It's not that she dislikes her father, but she's sensitive to his tone, voice, and expressions."
The father revealed that he divorced due to his ex-wife's affair, which the eldest daughter, then 12, was the first to notice. She discovered her mother's new relationship through the unfamiliar scent of men's cologne and a couple's photo in her mother's wallet. The affair soon became public at school, leading to bullying and ostracism for the eldest daughter, who eventually dropped out of high school and now fears public attention, often wearing a mask.
The eldest daughter's painful story didn't end there. She recalled telling her younger sister, who had vague memories of their mother, "I want to speak well of her, but I only have bad memories. I was hit for not memorizing multiplication tables, and bruises were common." She tearfully admitted, "Even while being hit, I waited for her. I disliked her but also relied on her. As a child, I needed warmth."
Burdened with the roles of both mother and sister, the eldest daughter confessed to a moment of desperation when she impulsively attempted to jump into the Han River, only to be saved by a passerby, leaving the studio in silence.
Dr. Oh Eun-young offered heartfelt comfort, saying, "You can't choose how your parents treat you. While you may call your connection with your mother a bad fate, a stranger's intervention saved your life. Your father, who wishes for his daughters not to be hurt, is also a precious connection." She advised the father to share the unvarnished truth about their mother with his daughters.
Understanding their roots and standing firm is essential for the daughters. Practicing concise communication, limited to ten words, was also emphasized. Finally, she advised the eldest daughter to relinquish the maternal role and live her life as a sister, while encouraging the younger daughter to find stability through structured living.
By Taeyuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr