Controversy Arises in 'Please Take Care of the Eagle Five Brothers' Over Forced Pregnancy Plotline

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Excess in anything can lead to problems. Even pure intentions for fun can become uncomfortable if boundaries are not respected. Repeated discomfort can backfire, undoing all the hard work put in.

KBS2's weekend drama 'Please Take Care of the Eagle Five Brothers' has reached a peak viewership rating of 23%. The lead actress, Uhm Ji-won (playing Ma Gwang-sook), is considered a strong contender for this year's KBS Drama Awards.

However, as the series nears its end, a blemish has appeared on what was a heartwarming family drama. The portrayal of a husband persistently pressuring his wife to have a child, despite her reluctance, has been a source of discomfort.

In the drama, Ma Gwang-sook (played by Uhm Ji-won) and Han Dong-seok (played by Ahn Jae-wook) have recently remarried. Han Dong-seok continuously expresses his desire to have a late child, but Ma Gwang-sook firmly declines, saying, "How can we only think about ourselves? What about the child? When the child goes to elementary school and kindergarten, everyone else will have young parents. Would the child be happy holding hands with someone who looks like a grandparent?"

Ma Gwang-sook even places a long pillow on the bed as a boundary, declaring her intention not to have a child and warning her husband not to cross the line. In response, Han Dong-seok says, "I just want to be a father now. Can't you grant me this small dream? I'm still confident. I passed the physical test my brothers-in-law did in one go."

When their opinions on pregnancy don't align, Han Dong-seok takes Ma Gwang-sook to a gynecologist without explanation, suggesting they first check if she can have a child. Feeling betrayed by her husband, Ma Gwang-sook is understandably upset.

Han Dong-seok also complains to Ma Gwang-sook's brothers about the pregnancy issue. Ultimately, he plays his last card by presenting a 'wish fulfillment agreement' Ma Gwang-sook had written in the past, saying, "I want a child just like you, someone who smiles beautifully and embraces others. That's my biggest wish right now. Please fulfill it."

In a world filled with sensational content, this drama was a refreshing, warm family story. However, the unwanted pregnancy and coercive pressure to have a child have left a stain on an otherwise perfect work.

For Ma Gwang-sook, it likely felt like emotional abuse, which involves verbal and non-verbal actions that harm someone's emotional stability. Childbirth is a woman's choice. Despite her reluctance, her husband took her to the hospital and involved family members to pressure her into having a child.

In creating a work, exaggeration can occur. The controversial scenes were likely intended to emphasize Han Dong-seok's desire for a late child. Thus, the production team may have crossed the line without realizing it.

'Please Take Care of the Eagle Five Brothers' has provided harmless and comforting laughter. Hopefully, this mistake will serve as a reminder of the show's overall impact.

Ryu Ye-ji, TenAsia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr