JTBC’s “Divorce Dormitory Camp” Faces Backlash Amid Growing Controversy

What began as a heartfelt attempt to offer couples a final chance to save their marriage has quickly spiraled into controversy. JTBC’s Divorce Dormitory Camp, launched in April 2024, was initially pitched as a “family-oriented entertainment program,” offering couples on the verge of divorce a space to reconnect and understand each other. However, as the show progresses, it has become increasingly embroiled in controversy, with intense storylines and criminal allegations raising questions about the ethical boundaries of reality TV.

Divorce Dormitory Camp Initially Promised Healing, Now Under Scrutiny

The show was first introduced during the JTBC Entertainment Press Conference on January 30, 2024, where the network expressed its intention to move away from sensationalism. Lim Jung-ah, head of the entertainment division, emphasized the desire for “new family entertainment,” focusing on empathy and realism. Unlike other controversial “divorce entertainment” shows like MBC’s Marriage Hell and TV Chosun’s We Got Divorced, Divorce Dormitory Camp promised to offer a deeper, more sustainable look at the struggles couples face.

However, the reality of the show quickly deviated from its initial message. The tragic death of cast member Kang Ji-yong, part of the well-known “soccer couple,” only added fuel to the fire. Each episode has highlighted couples grappling with serious marital issues—unemployment, blended family tensions, infidelity—until the show’s 11th couple introduced an even darker twist.

Divorce Dormitory Camp Faces Outrage Over Abuse Allegations

In a recent episode, the “Saving Couple” storyline took a disturbing turn when the wife revealed she had been physically abused, providing photographic evidence of her injuries. The husband’s chilling confession, “I thought I should stop, but I couldn’t control myself,” shocked viewers, as did the emotional impact on the couple’s young son, who said, “My heart feels like a trash can.” The display of violence and its effect on the family raised alarms about the show’s ethical responsibility.

Viewers immediately questioned whether such sensitive issues should be aired without proper intervention. Many argued that the show crossed the line between providing counseling and creating a spectacle for entertainment purposes. The backlash included calls for child protective services to get involved and demands for the show’s cancellation: “This is not entertainment. This is evidence for the police.”

Despite the growing backlash, the show continues to recruit new participants, offering substantial appearance fees. Experts and cast members still endorse separation or divorce when it is deemed necessary, fueling further tension around the show’s credibility and its original intent.

Divorce Dormitory Camp Faces a Crisis of Identity

Once promoted as a “new kind of family TV,” Divorce Dormitory Camp now faces a crisis of identity. What was intended to be a platform for emotional healing has instead become a source of controversy, with critics questioning whether it can return to its roots or if the damage is irreversible. The line between therapy and emotional exploitation remains blurred, and viewers are left wondering whether the show can redeem itself or if it will continue to walk a tightrope of ethical concerns.