[OSEN=김수형 기자] In the latest episode of ‘My Precious Child’, the character Geumjok, who has become a recluse, showcased a high-tension crisis and conflict. Nonetheless, Dr. Oh Eun-young did not give up on Geumjok.
On the broadcast aired on the 3rd, Channel A depicted Geumjok's life as a recluse.
Once a model student in childhood, Geumjok is now a first-year middle school student who has isolated himself and hasn't left his room. The transformation is so drastic that it is difficult to believe it's the same person. Now, he is even at risk of failing a grade.
Shin A-ra expressed her shock, stating, “This is the first time we are seeing Geumjok’s face revealed,” as Geumjok had been in hiding for four months. Dr. Oh Eun-young remarked, “Geumjok’s life of seclusion, which has cut him off from the world, represents a serious issue during this transitional phase from childhood to adulthood in his first year of middle school. It is a clear emergency and crisis situation, and we need to identify the root causes.”
Following this, the show provided a glimpse into Geumjok’s daily life, revealing how his night-and-day cycle had completely shifted. Dr. Oh Eun-young stated, “The difficulties faced in a crisis must be examined from various angles,” noting that “external stimuli seem difficult for him to handle.” She cautiously mentioned that this may be a precursor to mental health issues that can arise in teenagers and young adults.
Meanwhile, Geumjok's mother began to gently wake him up. However, he reacted violently, kicking his mother away and physically overpowering her. The situation escalated when Geumjok suddenly pulled his mother’s hair, resulting in an unexpected act of violence. His mother’s clothing was torn in the sudden attack, a scene described by others as resembling a horror movie. Ultimately, the production team had to intervene to resolve the situation.
Every moment in this tense environment was on the verge of disaster. Geumjok even began to self-harm. His father shared, “I’ve begged and even tried physical confrontation with him, but there hasn’t been much progress.” Dr. Oh Eun-young explained why she referred to the situation as an emergency, stating, “This is certainly not a small issue. Regardless of the causes, his violence towards his mother must be corrected.”
At this point, Geumjok's mother invited a long-time friend over. Geumjok abruptly asked his friend, “What year is it now?” When his mother left the room, he expressed his feelings, sharing that it had been two years since he had met his peers, having transferred schools without making any friends. He revealed, “I was taken to a mental hospital,” and discussed the humiliations he faced there.
On this matter, Geumjok's parents explained, “There are differences in our perspectives. To support students experiencing emotional crises related to school refusal, Geumjok chose to voluntarily admit himself to the hospital.” They mentioned that he went through school connections. His mother stated, “He wanted to discharge himself midway, but a standard recovery period requires at least three months,” explaining that to ensure the best treatment, they had to comply. “Even after returning to school, he was able to attend without issue, but after a holiday period, he reverted to being a recluse again.” Dr. Oh Eun-young cautioned, “If the child expressed resistance, hasty recommendations for admission without sufficient discussion may only lead to resistance in treatment. We must resolve the conflicts caused by the admission, or distrust towards parents may grow.”
In the midst of this, they decided to hear Geumjok’s true feelings. Gathering courage, Geumjok spoke to the production team, stating, “I feel like a monster to my family.” His deep self-loathing became apparent. When asked what he wanted to say to his parents, Geumjok confessed, “You shouldn’t give up on me. I want to be loved by mom and dad,” which brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Observing this, Dr. Oh Eun-young advised, “We must not let go of our efforts,” providing a solution for the situation.
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