Heartbreaking Family Secrets Unveiled: A Sister's Quest and a Mother's Betrayal

A sister's decision to resolve her family registry before her half-brother discovers the secret of his birth, and the story of a mother with dementia who fell in love with a con artist, were revealed.

On the October 23rd episode of Channel A's 'Detectives' Secret Business', a segment titled 'Detective 24 Hours' featured a request from a sister who wanted to remove her half-brother from the family registry. The requester shared, "When I was in the first year of middle school, my father had an affair with a married woman, which led to her pregnancy and eventually my parents' divorce." Five years after the divorce, she was shocked to learn that her father had registered the child born from the affair under her mother's name. Attorney Nam Sung-tae explained, "It seems they used the 'Inwoo Guarantee System', which allows birth registration with the guarantee of two adults," adding that the mistress was also married at the time, likely trying to avoid the child being presumed as her ex-husband's under 'presumption of paternity'. Defconn expressed disbelief, saying, "How can an affair become so complicated?" while Kim Poong was equally exasperated.

Legally, the family registry issue can be resolved if the requester's mother files a lawsuit. However, the requester added, "My mother suffered a spinal injury in 2013 and was diagnosed with a first-degree physical disability. She will never walk again," adding to the tragedy. As a result, the requester spent most of her 20s caring for her mother in the hospital. She was in a hurry to resolve the family relationship for another reason: "My half-brother will become an adult in a few months. If he learns the secret of his birth later, it might hurt him, so I want to resolve it while he's still a minor."

In the 'Case Notebook', the story of two sons dealing with their mother's affair while she suffers from dementia was revealed. The requester's mother had lived a virtuous life, focusing solely on her children after losing her husband at thirty. She raised two successful sons: the elder pursuing a Ph.D. abroad and the younger working in Seoul. One day, the elder son received a shocking call claiming, "Your mother had an affair with my husband," prompting him to seek the truth.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the mother had been diagnosed with severe dementia four months prior, raising questions about the possibility of an affair. The alleged affair partner was a physical therapist at a traditional medicine clinic, more than ten years younger than the mother. His wife confronted him and demanded 100 million won in alimony after he confessed to the affair.

The detectives discovered that the mother's lover was a known con artist, part of a couple who targeted elderly women to swindle their assets. However, the mother's diary revealed she was aware he was married but fell in love regardless. Shockingly, she continued the relationship even after learning he was a con artist. The mother explained, "I was lonely. I raised my children without envy, working as a housekeeper, building cleaner, and restaurant worker. But my sons never looked back at me," she cried. Her outburst, "You drained me for over 30 years and made me sick," moved Yoo In-na, who commented, "It's heartbreaking," while Kim Poong reflected, "It reminds me that a mother is also a woman and a person."

Comedian Kim Seung-jin, who joined as a guest detective, shared, "I also have two brothers, and our mother lives alone," expressing deep empathy for the 'Case Notebook' story. He added, "I'm not the most affectionate son, but I show my filial piety through allowances," affirming his dedication. Finally, Kim Seung-jin pondered, "Is this show always about reflecting on one's life?" and concluded, "The phrase 'a mother also wants to be loved' deeply resonates with me."

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