Singer Lee Ji-hye took her two daughters to a controversial "ghost discipline" attraction at the Korean Folk Village, which has faced allegations of child abuse. Although Lee initially questioned the criticism surrounding the experience, she expressed sympathy after her daughter burst into tears.
On Monday, a video titled "Why Lee Ji-hye's daughter burst into tears at the Korean Folk Village while trying to correct her behavior (Eoduksini, ghost)" was uploaded to Lee's YouTube channel, "Unlikable Attention Seeker."
In the video, Lee visited the Korean Folk Village with her husband, Moon Jae-wan, and their two daughters, Tae-ri and Ellie.
Lee mentioned Eoduksini, a ghost character recently dubbed the "dark version of parenting expert Oh Eun-young" on social media, saying, "I really wanted to come because I heard children would learn their lessons in just one session."
Addressing the controversy over possible child abuse, she said, "There has been some debate over whether this kind of discipline is acceptable or not. But I'm not sure it would necessarily cause trauma."
After hearing that kindergarten groups had also visited the attraction, Lee joked, "Mothers and teachers all feel the same way. They probably think, 'Now you'll see what it's like.'"
She also recalled once visiting a haunted house but fleeing almost immediately because she was too scared.
Lee and her daughters later met Eoduksini. When Lee told the performer, dressed as a ghost, that her younger daughter Ellie disliked bathing, the character warned that germs could become a problem and threatened to take Ellie away.
Ellie stepped backward, saying, "I'm not going."
When Eoduksini then threatened to take her mother instead, Ellie eventually burst into tears.
The ghost made Ellie promise to brush her teeth and bathe regularly. When Lee added that her daughter also struggled with homework, Ellie promised to do that as well.
Eoduksini then warned, "I'll be watching you from under the wardrobe, beneath the kitchen sink and under the sofa for a week."
Lee's older daughter, Tae-ri, was also disciplined over hitting her younger sister. When Tae-ri immediately knelt down and apologized, Eoduksini appeared taken aback, saying, "The child is putting on a show."
After the experience, Lee asked Ellie whether she had been scared, and the girl replied that she had.
Lee said, "I heard children behave better for a while after going through this. But I felt a little emotional, and seeing her like that made me feel sorry for her."
The Korean Folk Village's "ghost discipline" experience involves parents telling performers dressed as ghosts about their children's behavioral habits. The performers then attempt to discipline the children through frightening words and gestures.
The attraction has recently faced allegations of child abuse over concerns that it could cause excessive fear among young children. Others argue that a one-time experience conducted with parental consent should not necessarily be considered child abuse.
As of Nov. 9, Yongin City had received nine complaints alleging child abuse related to the program, while a petition had also been filed with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. The city plans to inspect the program this month with child welfare experts and police.
An official from the Korean Folk Village said, "The program is conducted at the voluntary request of parents, and we have established internal guidelines to suspend the experience if a child becomes excessively frightened or distressed."
in ENTERTAINMENT
