SBS Plus 'Lee Ho-sun's Cider' Explores Deep Traumas Affecting Lives

'Lee Ho-sun's Cider' on SBS Plus delved into the stories of individuals whose lives are disrupted by deep-seated traumas.

The 13th episode, aired on the morning of the 28th, achieved a household rating of 0.4% (Nielsen Korea, metropolitan area, paid broadcasting standard) with peak ratings reaching 0.9%, continuing its trend of high viewer engagement.

The episode, themed 'The Demon Eating Me, Trauma,' featured various stories. From a person who freezes at the sound of a phone due to obsessive calls from a boss, to a man hesitant to have children for fear of resembling his abusive father, and a mother anxious about her son's second marriage after the first failed due to family conflicts, the stories were heavy and thought-provoking.

The most poignant story was titled 'Am I the Perpetrator?' The storyteller, who grew up in an orphanage, shared feelings of guilt, wondering if they were also a perpetrator to someone else. They revealed the pain of receiving a comment from an orphanage sibling saying, 'You are a perpetrator too,' after appearing on a counseling program.

Lee Ho-sun assessed the storyteller's situation as complex, not fitting neatly into the roles of victim or perpetrator. Lee praised the storyteller's courage for attempting to apologize and advised them to live their life without being swayed by comments or others' views. Kim Ji-min echoed this sentiment, agreeing that one should not be affected by comments.

Lee Ho-sun suggested that instead of dwelling on guilt, one could 'sublimate' their wounds in other ways, such as small donations or volunteering for youth preparing for independence, or working to improve the world they experienced. The storyteller expressed a desire to help others in the future, showing a wish to live positively rather than being held back by past wounds.

Lee Ho-sun sincerely encouraged the storyteller, hoping their wounds would open doors to a better world, leaving a profound impact. The storyteller also expressed a desire to become a righteous adult rather than just a 'good person,' leaving a lasting impression.

At the end of the broadcast, Lee Ho-sun emphasized that trauma is like a demon within but also highlighted the human capacity to resolve and rise again. Lee conveyed a heartfelt message that carrying wounds and moving forward is part of being human. Kim Ji-min added that while personal effort is crucial, a compassionate perspective from others is equally important.

Meanwhile, SBS Plus 'Lee Ho-sun's Cider' airs every Saturday at 10 a.m.

Reporter Kim Se-ah, Ten Asia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr