TV Chosun capture
On TV Chosun’s variety show “Lovers of Joseon,” the couple Tae Jin-ah♥Ok-kyung returned for a Lunar New Year special after two years, reminiscing about their life in the United States and revealing their daily life while battling dementia. Kim Guk-jin♥Kang Su-ji also headed to Tae Jin-ah’s home and spent special time watching the U.S. footage prepared for reminiscence therapy. The broadcast’s national rating was 4.1%, with a peak minute rating of 4.5% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide), achieving the top spot among Lunar New Year special variety shows.
On the February 16 broadcast of “Lovers of Joseon,” “the emperor of trot” Tae Jin-ah, who two years ago showed his tender daily life with his wife Ok-kyung as she battled dementia, appeared again before his wife and viewers. Kim Guk-jin said, “Even when I watch trot programs, when you’re not there I find myself thinking, ‘How have you been?’” adding that after watching the couple’s struggle with dementia two years ago, he has been concerned about their daily life.
In the VCR segment, Tae Jin-ah appeared pushing his wife’s wheelchair, as her mobility had become difficult. He expressed hope about Ok-kyung’s condition, but the attending physician, who had also treated her two years earlier, diagnosed “severe dementia,” explaining, “You could say she is in a baby-like state.” The doctor gave a sober assessment: “At times you may get a word or two, but ordinarily it’s not meaningful conversation,” and recommended “reminiscence therapy.” On the way home, as Ok-kyung took a tangerine from him to eat, Tae Jin-ah comforted her, saying, “Miracles do exist, honey.”
And to film the “reminiscence therapy” video recommended by the doctor, he headed to the United States for the first time in 25 years, to places that held the couple’s youth and to his mother-in-law’s gravesite. On the way to his mother-in-law’s grave with his brother-in-law, Tae Jin-ah sang a self-composed song just for Ok-kyung, prompting Hwang Bo-ra to give a thumbs-up and say, “He’s number one even among the lovers who have appeared on ‘Lovers of Joseon.’”
During a brief call with his wife’s close friend Ok-ja, the tears he had been holding back burst forth. He also broke down sobbing in front of his mother-in-law’s grave. Having brought all the snacks his mother-in-law had liked in her lifetime, he finally crumpled, pleading, “Please heal Ok-kyung’s dementia.” Releasing all the hurt he couldn’t show in front of family back in Korea, he prayed earnestly, “Please don’t let Ok-kyung be in pain... If she cannot get better... please let her stay as she is now,” moving those watching to tears. The other “lovers” watching also shed tears at Tae Jin-ah’s heartfelt wish.
Kang Su-ji and Kim Guk-jin, who had long-standing ties with the couple even before dementia, headed to the home where Ok-kyung was. Recognizing Kang Su-ji at once and welcoming her, Ok-kyung, smiling constantly, took a trip down memory lane as she watched the U.S. footage Tae Jin-ah had filmed there. From the U.S. streets where they once hustled as peddlers to the warm greetings of Ok-kyung’s acquaintances, he packed the videos with traces of the past. Mobilizing beloved acquaintances, memories from the U.S. where they devoted their youth, and songs his wife had loved even before dementia, he drew out her beaming smile. Belting out songs for Ok-kyung, his eternal muse, he even succeeded in getting her to sing, for the first time in years, the highlight section of “Ok-kyung,” a song overflowing with his love for her, creating a warm moment. Tae Jin-ah confessed his ardent love to her, saying, “I love you and I will protect you forever.”
Also revealed was a video letter to his wife that Tae Jin-ah had filmed alone, apart from the production team’s schedule. Staying at the hotel where he and Ok-kyung had once lodged, he recalled their memories and revisited the wish he had prayed at his mother-in-law’s grave, saying, “It’s tough... really tough. I cried so much earlier at my mother-in-law’s gravesite even though the weather was cold.” He poured out his heart again, moving viewers, saying, “I miss you; it’s been a day since we’ve been apart but it feels like a month. I love you.”
The hyperrealistic documentary-variety TV Chosun program “Lovers of Joseon” airs every Monday at 10 p.m.
