MBC's 'Oh Eun-young Report' Faces Criticism for Vague Solutions in Marriage Counseling

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Viewers are increasingly dissatisfied with the warm advice and healing reports provided by Dr. Oh Eun-young on MBC's 'Oh Eun-young Report - Marriage Hell.' The show is criticized for offering vague diagnoses and unsatisfying solutions to troubled couples, contrasting with JTBC's 'Divorce Consideration Camp,' which is gaining popularity for its straightforward criticism of couples' mistakes.

Currently, the two leading marriage solution shows are 'Divorce Consideration Camp' and 'Marriage Hell.' Since 2022, 'Marriage Hell' has focused on identifying and solving marital issues through VCR analysis by Oh Eun-young and panelists. In contrast, 'Divorce Consideration Camp,' which premiered in 2024, involves couples on the brink of divorce entering a camp for household surveys, psychological tests, and simulated divorce mediation. 'Divorce Consideration Camp' currently boasts a higher viewership rating of 3% compared to 'Marriage Hell's' early 2% range.

The episode of 'Marriage Hell' aired on the 22nd featured the 'Mumu Couple,' with a vibrant wife and a subdued husband. The wife expressed a strong desire for divorce, citing numerous reasons, yet the VCR showed no significant faults on the husband's part. Instead, the wife appeared to distort and imagine the husband's actions, admitting to infidelity over weekends for three months, claiming it was the best option in her marriage. Oh Eun-young empathized with the wife, diagnosing the conflict as stemming from their contrasting temperaments, and advised the husband to accommodate the wife. In the final healing report, only the husband apologized, while the wife extended a reconciliatory gesture.

Viewers reacted negatively, questioning the husband's faults and criticizing the show for seemingly justifying the wife's actions. Many expressed disappointment in Oh Eun-young's solutions, with one viewer stating, "The solutions lack empathy and clarity. The wife needs firm criticism, not understanding." Another viewer compared it to 'Divorce Consideration Camp,' which objectively addresses issues separately for each spouse, while 'Marriage Hell' focuses on emotional appeals.

Despite the criticism, some viewers appreciate 'Marriage Hell's' focus on marital recovery over fault-finding, with one viewer defending Oh Eun-young's approach as genuinely helpful. They speculated that the lack of criticism towards the wife was due to the husband's strong desire to preserve the family.

While warm advice is valuable, industry experts suggest that Oh Eun-young should incorporate some 'tough love' to help couples recognize their issues. A broadcasting insider commented, "While it's understandable to tailor counseling to the participants, the show must also meet viewers' expectations. Without firm advice, the program's credibility may suffer."

Taeyuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr