tvN STORY's 'Lee Ho-sun Counseling Center' Explores Family Hierarchies and Their Impact on Relationships

In the latest episode of tvN STORY's 'Lee Ho-sun Counseling Center,' Professor Lee Ho-sun delves into how entrenched family hierarchies can deteriorate relationships. The fifth episode, titled 'Hierarchy Wars,' examines the concept of hierarchy not just in organizations or society, but within families as well. Professor Lee opens the session by highlighting that when a request becomes a demand that cannot be refused, the family ceases to be an equal relationship.

The preview for episode 5 introduces clients struggling with various hierarchies within their family dynamics, from couples to parent-child relationships. One story features a husband who manages both household chores and finances, only to be met with resistance from his wife when he asks for help with cleaning. The wife retorts, "Did you marry me to use me as a housekeeper?"

When Professor Lee asks, "Do you want to live like a madam?" the wife laughs, seemingly joking, but Professor Lee sternly responds, "Why are you laughing? It's not amusing at all," probing the emotions behind her laughter and the true nature of the hierarchy affecting their relationship.

Another story reveals a mother-daughter relationship where the daughter, in her 30s, treats her mother like a secretary, with requests like "Do the laundry" and "Clean up" becoming routine. The mother admits feeling uncomfortable but unable to refuse her daughter's demands. Professor Lee bluntly states, "You're using your mom like a maid," and compares their relationship to that of a bully and a subordinate.

However, the mother-daughter dynamic is more complex than it appears, with underlying reasons for their chosen roles and the persistence of their relationship being gradually uncovered through counseling, promising viewers an unexpected twist.

The episode also explores other stories where established family roles and hierarchies lead to various conflicts. Professor Lee questions why these hierarchies exist and what needs to be relinquished for relationships to heal, rather than focusing on who holds power.

The production team stated, "This episode focuses on how the often-overlooked issue of family hierarchy can leave lasting scars on relationships. By exploring the context behind visible conflicts, we aim to present standards for building healthy family relationships."

'Lee Ho-sun Counseling Center' episode 5 airs on the 3rd at 8 PM.

Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr