Lee Dong-gun joins 'Divorce Camp' to offer empathy as divorce survivor

Actor Lee Dong-gun is taking on a new role rooted in his own personal history. Having navigated the complexities of marriage and divorce, he will step in as a family investigator on screen to provide empathy and realistic advice to those facing relationship crises.

On the 30th, the production team of the JTBC variety show 'Divorce Camp' released Lee's thoughts on joining the program as a new family investigator. His sincere determination highlights his intent to view relationship and family issues not just as an actor, but as someone who has lived through them.

Lee revealed that he faced significant hesitation before deciding to join the cast. "Since it is a program I like and enjoy watching, I was pleasantly surprised, but I had great concerns about whether I had the qualifications to offer criticism or advice to those experiencing a divorce crisis from the position of someone who has shared the same pain, and how that might be perceived," he confessed.

He continued, "However, I decided to appear after thinking that, as someone with experience, perhaps I could play a role in standing on the side of the participants based on empathy and understanding."

Lee's remarks go beyond a simple determination as a cast member; they reflect a shift in how divorce is viewed in society. While divorce was often interpreted in the past as an individual failure, in modern society, it is increasingly reinterpreted as a choice regarding various relationship forms and individual happiness. In particular, how to heal the emotional conflicts and psychological issues of family members during the divorce process has emerged as a significant social topic.

He also expressed his desire to convey a more realistic sense of empathy to the participants based on his own experiences.

"Through my own experiences, I want to empathize more deeply with the situations and concerns of the participants," Lee said. "I hope my advice feels more intimate and sincere to them."

'Divorce Camp' is a program where couples facing divorce crises reflect on their relationships through expert counseling and objective observation. It distinguishes itself from typical couple-themed variety shows by analyzing various factors such as economic issues, communication styles, family relationships, and psychological wounds, rather than reducing marital conflict to simple personality differences.

Lee also noted the intense realism of the program. "Because there are so many shocking stories, I wondered if there might be some exaggerated parts, but they were real stories without any dramatization," he said. "It was also very impressive to see senior Seo Jang Hoon shouting so much that his voice went hoarse during every recording."

He added, "Rather than being trapped within the narrow vision of just two people, I believe the effort to look at problems with an objective eye and try to solve them through the empathy and advice of many people is worthy of applause in itself. That is why I respect the courage of all the participants."

Lee's participation is drawing attention because he has personally experienced marriage and divorce. He married actress Jo Yoon-hee in 2017 and announced his divorce in 2020. Since then, he has communicated with the public through various broadcasts, speaking honestly about life after divorce, his responsibilities as a parent, and his thoughts on family.

There is a growing trend in the entertainment industry where stars accept and share their wounds as part of their growth rather than hiding them. Issues of divorce and relationships, once strictly private, are now being treated as subjects for social empathy and reflection.

Lee's approach is not to act as an expert providing perfect answers, but as an experienced individual approaching the participants' stories with shared understanding. This represents a new form of communication that prioritizes empathy over the authority of traditional counseling.

Lee is currently in a public relationship with actress Kang Hae-rim. As he builds a new relationship following his past hardships, interest is high regarding the perspective and message he will deliver on 'Divorce Camp.'