Emotional Episode of 'Lee Ho-sun's Cider' Addresses Gambling Addiction in Family

Lee Ho-sun offers advice to a tearful participant dealing with a 'gambling-addicted husband.'

The 15th episode of SBS Plus's 'Lee Ho-sun's Cider,' aired on the morning of the 11th, achieved a peak household rating of 0.8% (Nielsen Korea, metropolitan area, paid broadcast standard). The episode, themed 'The Shortcut to Ruin, Addiction,' featured various stories that evoked both empathy and shock.

Among the stories were a 'attention-seeking friend' addicted to SNS no-shows, a 'superstition-addicted mother' obsessed with shamanism, a 'porn-addicted younger brother' involved in a sexual harassment case, and a mother-in-law obsessed with baby cams. However, the top story was 'The Gambling Addiction Wind Blowing in the In-laws.'

A wife from a remarried family with three children confessed that her entire in-law family was engulfed in gambling. Her husband and brother-in-law were addicted, and her mother-in-law was even taking out loans to support them. With loan shark calls, lies, and embezzlement issues piling up, the participant's daily life was already in ruins. She revealed that she even got into physical altercations with her husband, tearfully stating, 'A family wanting to live normally cannot collapse in an instant.'

In response, Lee Ho-sun firmly advised, 'Such a kind woman cannot fix her husband. Prepare to escape from now on.' Although Kim Ji-min was shocked, saying, 'Professor...', Lee Ho-sun continued, 'The husband has no reason to escape this situation. This house is a very dangerous case,' warning, 'A terrifying tragedy is predicted. It will be difficult for the children to grow up healthily.'

Lee Ho-sun emphasized, 'Everyone can be completely ruined,' and stressed, 'First and foremost, you and the children must be safe. Protect the children.' The participant eventually broke down emotionally, and Kim Ji-min expressed sympathy, saying, 'It must be very upsetting.' Lee Ho-sun pointed out, 'The participant and the children must be safe to help the husband. Gambling ends only when you leave.'

Particularly, Lee Ho-sun approached the tearful participant, wiped her tears, knelt down to make eye contact, and gave her a warm hug. This motherly comfort and realistic advice deeply resonated with viewers.

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

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