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| Photo=SBS |
Producer Go Hye-rin of ‘Monggeul Counseling Center’ has revealed the inspiration behind South Korea’s groundbreaking dating show for young adults with developmental disabilities.
Set to premiere on March 8th at 11:05 PM, SBS Special’s “My Heart is Fluttering – Monggeul Counseling Center” (hereafter “Monggeul Counseling Center”) chronicles the romantic journeys of young adults with developmental disabilities. The show has garnered significant attention, featuring celebrity power couple Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon as relationship counselors. Married for 14 years and known for their strong bond, the duo will mentor and support the participants, affectionately dubbed “Monggeul,” as they navigate the world of dating.
Adding to the show’s appeal, the theme song production boasts an impressive lineup. Renowned composer No Young-shim, known for her work on “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” gifted an original song. Lee Hyori lends her vocals to the track, while Lee Sang-soon took charge of production, demonstrating the couple’s wholehearted commitment to the project. With such high-profile backing and widespread public support, the show’s impact is eagerly anticipated.
Director Go Hye-rin, who helmed last year’s critically acclaimed documentary “Hakjeon and the Other Things: Kim Min-ki” – which earned her the prestigious Baeksang Arts Award for Best Educational Program – is breaking new ground with this unprecedented exploration of romance among young adults with developmental disabilities. She shared the personal story that sparked the show’s concept.
“This program was inspired by my younger brother, who’s in his twenties and has a developmental disability,” Go explained. “Five years ago, shortly after he became an adult, I drafted the initial concept. It made me question whether I was truly treating my brother as an adult. I realized I had never even considered the possibility of him dating. We automatically associate youth with love and romance, but that connection wasn’t as immediate when thinking about young people with developmental disabilities. What we don’t consider often gets treated as if it doesn’t exist. And when something is perceived as non-existent, those affected might give up on it entirely. That’s why I felt this story needed to be told.”
Go continued, “Over the past five years, I’ve watched my brother navigate a few relationships. That experience shifted my perspective, allowing me to see him through the lens of ‘a young adult’s life.’ This show isn’t meant to explain developmental disabilities. Instead, it invites us to reconsider a facet of youth we may have overlooked.”
Regarding the choice of Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon as the show’s counselors, Go shared, “I first worked with them five years ago on a piece called ‘Hyori and Sunsim’ about their pet dog. Their genuine and heartfelt approach left a lasting impression. When I pitched this project, they immediately recognized its importance, saying, ‘This story really needs to be told.’ Their instant understanding and empathy for a topic many hadn’t considered deeply was incredibly meaningful.”
She added, “We wanted mentors who would see these young adults as ‘youth’ first, rather than defining them by their disabilities. Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon’s perspective has strengthened the show’s core message, and their involvement has enriched the narrative immensely. We’re deeply grateful for their contribution.”
Go praised the couple’s approach during filming, noting the unique production environment. “While not everything makes it to air, Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon spent considerable time with our young participants. Through frequent meetings, they developed a deep mutual understanding, naturally falling into roles as supportive mentors. The couple guided conversations with their trademark honesty and warmth, and the participants responded in kind. They didn’t view Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon as untouchable celebrities, but rather as caring older siblings offering support.”
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| Photo=SBS |
Discussing the casting process for the “Monggeul” participants, Go revealed, “We reached out to organizations working with young adults with developmental disabilities and explained our vision. The response was overwhelming – we conducted over 500 interviews.”
She emphasized the genuine desire among participants: “What struck us most was how many young people truly wanted this opportunity. It wasn’t about TV exposure; we could feel their sincere wish to meet someone and experience dating.”
Go described the filming experience as consistently surprising. “We tried to anticipate scenarios, but the atmosphere of first dates and the outcomes of confessions were always unpredictable. What stood out was the participants’ unwavering authenticity. They never hid their emotions or exaggerated to impress. Every moment was approached with genuine sincerity.”
“Eventually, we learned to embrace each moment as it unfolded, rather than trying to force interpretations,” she continued. “We began to see them not as ‘special because of their disabilities,’ but simply as young adults experiencing the universal emotions of excitement, disappointment, and renewed courage. This reaffirmed that our show is fundamentally about youth and the human experience, not about disability.”
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| Photo=SBS |
Highlighting key points for viewers, Go shared, “The premiere focuses on ‘firsts’ – first blind dates, first outings, first steps towards romance. Everyone can relate to the awkwardness and excitement of their first relationship. Even if you haven’t dated, if you’ve ever supported someone’s first attempt at something new, you’ll connect with these stories. The small setbacks and moments of growth are universal experiences.”
She concluded, “We hope this show sparks conversations about the lives, relationships, and romantic aspirations of young adults with developmental disabilities. While we can’t represent every experience, initiating this dialogue is significant. We welcome all feedback, including criticism – it indicates that more stories need to be told in this space.”
[Sports Today reporter Kim Tae-hyung ent@stoo.com]
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