Lee Ji-hyun Faces Backlash After Criticizing 'My Golden Kids' Production Team Over Malicious Comments Aimed at Her Child

Broadcaster Lee Ji-hyun, a former member of the K-pop girl group Jewel, recently shared her reflections on her appearance on the Channel A variety show 'My Golden Kids' (Yojum Yuga - Geumjjokgateun Nae Saekki). She expressed deep regret regarding the production team's filming methods and editing processes. While she originally sought help to resolve her son's behavioral issues, she revealed that the subsequent broadcast led to unexpected malicious comments and criticism directed even at her child.

During her appearance on the YouTube channel 'Saeropge Hasoseo' on the 9th, Lee Ji-hyun provided specific details about her time on 'My Golden Kids.' She explained that while filming was conducted to accurately identify the problems of her son, Woo-gyeong, the initial sessions did not reveal sufficient issues for broadcast as she had expected.

According to Lee, the production team suggested at the time that since the problems were not being clearly identified, they should "stimulate the child to pinpoint the exact issues." She claimed that actual filming involved situations designed to provoke her son. Lee asserted that the broadcast focused heavily on these edited scenes, presenting her family in a manner significantly different from what she had anticipated.

The most difficult part, however, came after the broadcast. While Lee stated she could endure certain criticisms as a celebrity, she found it nearly impossible to accept the profanity and malicious comments directed at her young son. She expressed profound guilt, noting that her decision to appear on the show was driven by a desire for her child to improve, yet it felt as though she had inadvertently caused him pain. She described the experience as feeling like "one's own flesh being torn apart."

The footage of Woo-gyeong released on 'My Golden Kids' was indeed intense. The broadcast included scenes of him using profanity toward his mother and exhibiting physical aggression during conflicts over smartphone usage. Dr. Oh Eun-young, a renowned child psychiatrist, analyzed that many of his behaviors could not be explained simply as ADHD symptoms. This led to a long-term project where Dr. Oh provided direct on-site coaching.

Lee's decision to appear on the show was far from mere entertainment. She revealed that she faced significant challenges in parenting after her son was diagnosed with ADHD and was forcibly expelled from his kindergarten. As a single parent, she felt a desperate need for professional help and explained that the primary reason for joining the program was her desire to receive direct solutions from Dr. Oh Eun-young.

Dr. Oh Eun-young played a significant role in the program. Rather than labeling Woo-gyeong's behavior as simple "mischief," she comprehensively examined factors such as anxiety, sensitivity, and the interactions formed during the parenting process. She advised Lee on the necessity of reclaiming leadership in her discipline. Consequently, the program expanded into a long-term project involving Dr. Oh's direct on-site guidance.

Lee's recent statements raise a paradoxical question: for families standing before the camera to seek expert help, is the broadcast a space for therapeutic intervention, or is it a stage for variety content demanding ratings and topicality? The boundary between the two remains blurred.

Parenting observation variety shows differ from general entertainment programs. There is a distinct difference in social responsibility between revealing the private lives of adults and exposing the behaviors, emotions, and internal family conflicts of minors to the public. Specifically, when a young child, who cannot fully control their choices during filming, becomes the target of online public opinion, the digital footprint remains a long-term issue.

Conversely, some viewers point out that it is difficult to judge the entire intention or editing process of the production team based solely on Lee's claims. The broadcast included not only the child's problematic behavior but also Dr. Oh's analyses, solutions, advice on Lee's parenting, and the subsequent progress. It is also difficult to deny that the program aimed to provide practical help to Lee and her son.

In fact, Lee has continued to make changes, such as starting physical exercise with her son, and has shared the process of his improvement through Dr. Oh's solutions. In past interviews, she mentioned that although the treatment process was difficult, her son has changed significantly and they are spending happy times together.

Nevertheless, regardless of the positive outcomes, the issue of malicious comments directed at her child cannot be offset by labeling it a success of the program. If a gap exists between the intended message of the broadcast and the scenes consumed by viewers, it is difficult to hold the responsibility solely on the performer.

Lee also shared a heartbreaking anecdote from a trip to the United States, where Woo-gyeong asked, "Mom, when we go to America, will people not know I'm a 'Geumjjok-i' (the child from the show)?" This highlights the immense impact of the broadcast, as the child was conscious enough of his televised image to distinguish it from his real self.

Meanwhile, online criticisms have emerged, with some arguing that it is contradictory to criticize the production team after receiving help through the show, and others questioning if this criticism is simply revisiting the memory of the broadcast for the child. The controversy has expanded from the production team's filming methods to a debate over Lee's own remarks.

However, this should not be interpreted as a justification for malicious comments and ridicule toward a child. Regardless of the broadcast's intent, the secondary damage caused when a minor's behavior becomes a subject of public evaluation must be viewed as a separate issue involving the performer, the production team, and the viewers.

Lee Ji-hyun married a non-celebrity in 2013 and had a son and a daughter, but divorced in 2016. She remarried in 2017 and divorced again in 2020. Having navigated two marriages, she has been open about the practical difficulties of raising two children alone and has recently expanded her activities from a broadcaster to a business owner by running a hair salon.

Ultimately, the essence of this controversy does not lie solely in whether Lee Ji-hyun "targeted" the production team. It asks where the line is drawn between therapeutic observation and entertainment-driven stimulation when placing a family in need before a camera, and who should be responsible for the wounds left on a child after the broadcast ends.

As parenting variety shows continue to grow, this question becomes heavier. If a broadcast is truly for the child, it must consider not only ratings and popularity but also what mechanisms exist to protect the child so they can live their lives fully after the cameras stop rolling.