The 'Aemo Family': A Tale of Abuse and Healing on MBC's 'Oh Eun-young Report'

The 'Aemo Family', trapped in a cycle of violence for 30 years, has come into the spotlight.

On the latest episode of MBC's 'Oh Eun-young Report - Family Hell', aired on the 9th, the second part of the 'Aemo Family' story was revealed. The previous episode had already stirred emotions with the story of a son who, even as an adult, felt fear in front of his abusive mother. This episode focused on the daughter, another victim of the family's abuse.

The daughter spends most of her day playing games in her room, only stepping out to help her mother with farm work or to sleep. After quitting her job as a nursing assistant two years ago, she became even more engrossed in gaming, eating meals in front of her computer. Her mother expressed concern, saying, "It doesn't seem normal."

The mother, who had previously lashed out at her son, appeared extremely tense when her daughter emerged from her room. She hesitantly initiated a conversation, leading to a shocking confession that left the hosts speechless. The mother admitted, "I used to compare my daughter to her cousin, who is only a month older, and felt frustrated, which led me to hit her." Even during their difficult conversation, the mother continued to make hurtful comparisons, leaving the daughter in tears.

In an interview with the production team, the daughter tearfully explained, "In games, I'm told I'm good, amazing, and brave, which makes me more attached to them." The daughter, who chose to isolate herself due to the emotional scars and shattered self-esteem inflicted by her mother, bravely appeared in the studio, stating, "I don't remember much about being hit by my mom," adding to the heartbreak.

Dr. Oh Eun-young firmly advised the mother, "Comparing children is something you should never do." She emphasized the importance of recognizing children for who they are, regardless of outcomes. Dr. Oh suggested that the mother should try to understand her daughter's emotional language, asking questions like, "What makes you cry?" or "What are you feeling when you cry?"

The father's indifference was also a concern. While the mother and siblings discussed past abuse, he continued a phone conversation, seemingly ignoring the gravity of the situation. The son revealed, "Since my father stopped being violent, he avoids uncomfortable conversations," shocking the hosts.

The mother further disclosed, "Until last year, I was tormented by my husband. Even when I was heavily pregnant, he would hit me, leaving me covered in pain relief patches. I applied to 'Oh Eun-young Report' because I didn't want to suffer anymore, but my husband refused to participate." Dr. Oh addressed the father, stating, "Neglect is another form of violence," and urged him to acknowledge his fear of losing emotional control.

Dr. Oh Eun-young's practical healing report was also shared. She advised the son to establish a safe base to maintain emotional stability with his mother. For the daughter, she cautiously recommended taking a break from home to receive rest and treatment at a hospital. She urged the mother to frequently express praise and love to her children.

By Taeyuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr