A secret to longer marriages in South Korea: Lots of shows about divorce
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. SEOUL : After more than three decades of marriage, Kim Younok thinks it’s natural to ponder divorce, owing to divergent lifestyles with her husband and their differing personal tastes. But she calms down after watching a popular South Korean TV show called “Marriage Hell," where a celebrity psychiatrist reviews rocky real-life relationships.
Some couples bicker about ordering takeout versus cooking at home. Others erupt over excessive spending for things like cellulite-removal surgery. “I don’t have it that bad," says the 60-year-old Kim.
“Watching the program, I consider myself lucky." South Koreans can’t seem to break up with a new wave of divorce content—even as fewer marriages are actually ending. Fans of the shows say they enjoy the voyeuristic aspects, practical tips to avoid marriage woes and even better bonding with mom. South Korea, which is socially conservative, has the wealthy world’s lowest birthrate, a reflection of how few young people get married.
Those who do tend to stay that way. While not wholly taboo, divorce hasn’t been normalized either. That’s left a curiosity void to fill for TV shows, online testimonials and social-media creators.
Shows bear names such as “Divorce Deliberation Camp: Refresh," where on-the-rocks couples seek a reset, and “How Is Your Marriage," a panel talk show discussing shaky relationships. A dating show “Love After Divorce" promises viewers: “Newly single, ready to mingle." Yun Hye-yeon, a 30-year-old physical therapist, got hitched just over a year ago—and is happily married. But she consumes a variety of divorce-related shows without her husband around.
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