tvN STORY’s ‘Lee Ho-sun Counseling Center’ is keeping the momentum going, hitting its own highest viewership and amassing a staggering 200 million digital views!
The 16th episode, aired on May 5, reached a peak viewership of 3.5% in the Seoul metropolitan area (Nielsen Korea), ranking first among all cable and general programming channels in its time slot. Additionally, cumulative digital views across platforms for episodes 1 through 15 have surpassed 200 million. The show is being praised for focusing on actual relationship recovery and psychological healing rather than just feeding off conflict.
Trauma, Dependence, and Isolation: ‘Lee Ho-sun Counseling Center’ Tackles Real-Life Struggles
In this episode, the story of a 34-year-old wife who became dependent on alcohol was revealed. She suffered from severe anxiety after experiencing sexual harassment and witnessing a train suicide in the past, which eventually led to her drinking problem. Professor Lee Ho-sun empathized with her, stating, “It is a miracle that you have survived this far.”
The show also highlighted a co-dependency issue with the husband. It was revealed that the husband had begun constantly monitoring his wife and had gained 40kg due to stress. Professor Lee determined that specialized trauma counseling and lifestyle improvements were more urgent than simply resolving the conflict, suggesting practical steps like “having one meal without alcohol.”
Later in the episode, the story of a father and daughter who had become isolated after a business failure was shared. The father had lived in seclusion following a bankruptcy seven years ago and his daughter’s divorce, while the daughter struggled with the suffocating environment. Professor Lee noted that sincerity still remained between them and emphasized the need for conversation to break the frozen atmosphere.
“Not Just Jealousy, But a Disease”: Shocking Cases of Othello Syndrome
Professor Lee also explained cases of delusional jealousy. Regarding Othello Syndrome, she stated, “This is not simple jealousy, but a disease,” explaining it as “delusional jealousy or infidelity delusions, where one person monitors, controls, and commits violence based on groundless suspicion.”
Real counseling cases were shared. Professor Lee mentioned a case where a 94-year-old husband continued to hit his 91-year-old wife simply because she looked at other elderly men in the neighborhood. She added another instance where a husband believed his wife was having an affair with the village head, despite the head being in his 70s, showing that pathological suspicion can occur regardless of age.
A particularly shocking case involved a husband doubting the relationship between his wife and her father. Professor Lee explained, “The father had a disability in one foot, so it was natural for the daughter to visit often to care for him.” When the father sent a message saying, “Thank you, my daughter. There is no woman like you in the world,” the husband became suspicious of the word “woman” and the time spent in the hospital room. He even went as far as asking, “What did you talk about? Why are your clothes messy? You took them off, didn’t you?” Professor Lee emphasized that this is clearly a medical condition.
Professor Lee warned about the dangers of such delusions. “People ask why they don’t just get a divorce, but some come back and kill their partners even after the divorce,” she said. She explained that revenge fuels them, leading them to live nearby and think, “You betrayed me. My life is over because of you.” She added, “We cannot predict how such tragedies will end.”
Addressing the Lecture Attitude Controversy: “Counseling is Like Artificial Respiration”
Professor Lee Ho-sun also personally addressed the recent controversy regarding her lecture attitude and counseling methods. On May 3, she posted a lengthy explanation on her personal account, noting, “It seems some people were hurt.”
She explained, “I believe I lectured passionately that day,” adding that she strove to deliver as much content as possible so that attendees wouldn’t leave feeling empty. Regarding the difficulty of her work, she stated, “Counseling is a process of performing artificial respiration on a soul and a life. It is not easy, but counselors do it diligently as their calling.”
She also addressed the jokes that caused the stir, saying, “I hope you aren’t hurt by the jokes. They were not intended to cause harm.” Regarding her counseling style on the show, she asked for understanding, noting that “many parts are not visible, so it may differ from the path viewers expect.” She added, “Nevertheless, I will be especially careful and put more heart into my counseling. I am grateful for the advice to stay alert. I will keep it in mind and study more.” Professor Lee is currently active in various programs, including JTBC’s ‘Divorce Meditation Camp’ and tvN STORY’s ‘Lee Ho-sun Counseling Center.’ ‘Lee Ho-sun Counseling Center’ airs every Tuesday at 8 PM.
