Emara R

I read the translation from YHI's international fan community's fb page. Copying the exact post below:
"[Good Article/TRANSLATION] Addiction is not a matter of 'personal choice' or 'morality'

By: Psychiatrist Na Jong-ho (Peter Jongho Na, MD, MPH from Yale School of Medicine), March 11, 2023

Translated by YAI International Fans Community http://facebook.com/yaisikseekers (don't take out without credit to our FB page)

About our perspective in Yoo Ah In's situation.

I have not intentionally put forward that I am an addiction psychiatrist, because there were things I really wanted to tell Korean society first, and I didn't want the conversation to be focused only on addiction in conversation with limited media. However, as I read articles about addiction in Korean society these days, I think I should give some opinions as an addiction psychiatrist.

I read an article in the Washington Post about our society's view of Yoo Ah In's case. I agree with it to a large extent.

The Washington Post wrote, "when you hear about this level of drug use, the expectation would immediately be, ‘Oh, he needs treatment for drug addiction’" (not moral accusations).

I think we should do the same. Just as celebrities' suicide reflects the high suicide rate in our society as a whole, celebrities' drugs are only examples of the reality of drugs spreading throughout our society. Now, there may be an illusion as if only rich celebrities, such as Namyang Dairy Products Co.'s granddaughter and Yoo Ah In, are taking drugs, but over time, drugs will spread to the lowest class in our society.

Not long ago, I read an article that a 14-year-old middle school student got drugs through SNS. The biggest risk factor for addiction is 'accessibility'. With access to drugs so high that ordinary middle school students can purchase drugs on social media, it is only a matter of time before drugs spread like wildfire to teenagers, young people, and socially and economically vulnerable groups, where depression, anxiety, and despair are prevalent. And ultimately, suicide through overdose is feared to increase. Our "golden time/hour" is now. It shouldn't be any later.

While declaring a "war on drugs," the government froze this year's budget (400 million) for drug addiction treatment and protection agencies, which exist only two across the country. Prevention and legal enforcement are of course important, but unless you invest in treatment and rehabilitation, the drug problem will grow out of control. Drug addiction is a chronic disease that requires lifelong treatment and rehabilitation. Like diabetes and high blood pressure. How disastrously America's "War on Drugs" in the 70's and 90's, which already smashes drug dealers, failed, is illustrated by America's history and today's reality. The DEA, which boasts its coolness by invading other countries' territories in "Suriname" [Netflix "Narco-saints"] is also helpless.

One of America's most beloved Hollywood actors, 'Iron Man' Robert Downey Jr., has devoted more than 10 years to rehabilitation to overcome drug addiction. He has also been to prison several times during this period, but he was ultimately ordered rehabilitation instead of prison in 2001, after being arrested again on parole, and stopped taking drugs since 2003. There is only one hospital in Seoul where Yoo Ah In will be treated once he is released from prison. Who can get proper treatment and rehabilitation in this situation? Robert Downey Jr. had to spend many years in prison and rehab due to drugs.

Morally condemning the addiction problem or dismissing it as a matter of individual will may be refreshing and comfortable right now, but it does not help our society very much. Rather, it only makes those who need treatment and rehabilitation hide in the dark and exacerbates the addiction problem. Robert Downey Jr. shows what kind of activities and contributions he can make to society when drug addiction problems are properly treated. So I hope (one day) that Yoo Ah In will be able to recover through the rehabilitation process. ***

Original article in Korean: https://brunch.co.kr/@elni99/21

Professor Na also made a thread of the same content (which gains popularity) in his Twitter account here https://twitter.com/PeterJNaMDMPH/status/1634300428098609152?t=FEBT05o5U5OJpsOXN2sIgg&s=19

#유아인 #YooAhIn"

Thank you for your post. I have a friend who was addicted to chess playing. It seems harmleas and surely not a criminal act but it almost ruined his life. Afterwards when he seeked medical help, it was traced back to some other addiction he had before. I can not say the exact terms, but he has a behavioral pattern which makes him vulnerable to various types of addictions. Seeing him up close, I for the first time realized what addiction can look like. It was simply impossible for him to choose to stop. Thankfully he was aware of it and seeked help. He is doing very well now. But he needed support and got it.

In general people think that a person can simply decide to stop. Which is far from the truth. And in case of YHI, a big narrative is, its illegal in SA hence he should be punished accordingly. I mean ofcourse if thats the law of the land then he will have to face the consequences. But laws are for people and they can be/are updated as societies change and see fit. The change begins with conversations. I hope YHI's case sheds a bright light in this issue of criminalization of substance users. I read that a top psychiatrist in SA wrote an article about YHI's case and expressed similar concerns regarding rehabilitation of substance users. The expert also pointed out the lack of rehabilitative facilities in Seoul. As far as I remember from the article, there were only 2 such facilities where YHI could seek rehabilitation from. I don't know if thats the case but I hope that he can get the help he needs and instead of getting sidelined he becomes an active, productive member of the society again. I will try to find the article and share the link. Also thank you again for your post.

I enjoyed the show. I have never watched anything like this before (not that I have watched a lot) so it was something new for me. I didn't necessarily get the deeper meaning, but simply as a survival drama, I liked it. I wish the female lead had more to contribute then just looking at the male lead for directions. And also in the beach the girls are almost exclusively wearing 2 piece swimwear and the males are moderately if not fully clothed. Why do such things still!

What to say. School bullying is such a serious crisis in so many places. My heart breaks everytime I think about it.

Do Yeol got a puppy though :) :) Loved it too !

ai go, didn't imagine Tae Yun would be this romantic!!! Super cute :) :) :)

I wonder if the boy and girl would be happy together. It doesnot seem to me because they are starting off of dishonesty but it is possible to build a meaningful relationship if both are committed to the choices they have made. But if the boy is actually gay and trying to fit into society by dating a girl then its doomed for disaster. The girl on the other hand can forget about her office fling and move on, that's very much possible. But the boy could also be bi-sexual and can be truly attracted to the girl. Then again its complicated :). The short is good. It provokes so many possibilities/questions.

The comment is not about the show but I have seen so many school bullying dramas from SA, I wonder is school bullying so intense there. And if it is then are their strategic plans and systems to stop this? In all the series I have watched (ofcourse I understand thise are dramas and made for impact) the inactiveness of the teachers/parents were hard to swallow. In real life I hope it is nothing like this. How horrific it would be if school childrens are bullied this way.
This drama is amazing and impactful, nothing new for me to say. A lot of viewers have loved it. But I keep on thinking about this, why so many school bullying dramas and what is the actual situaiton.

Thank you for your sensible post. The Washington Post article talks about the spectacle of the fall and how people are enjoying that. Also the utter lack of empathy surprises me. Ofcourse if someone has broken the law of the land the person has to face the consequences but laws and their appropriateness can be questioned. Alas, what I say has very little impact but I want to say it that it saddens me the way he is being treated. I hope he has support from family and friends and can take care of himself.

I will check if I can find something. Thank you again! I am from a place where drug users are not criminalized and are treated with utmost sympathy and love. There are lack of resources but no lack of empathy. I am in the Asian continent :).

That scene was so relatable though :)

The casual cruelty that this character has shown to the child is unfortunately quite prevalent in societies. Many are just cruel and say things which will traumatize someone forever. I hope TH gets therapy. Having a good friend in his corner would help but he needs intervention to stop the self harm. I know its a drama series done for monitary benifits and all but I do hope they project some positive message. Often times in dramas things are solved by adding a love interest but in real life it takes a lot more than that. I wish dramas dealing with such serious matters would at least indicate that one needs to seek help.
I am enjoying this throughly.

Pleasantly surprised! Didn't expect this to be so intense and comforting at the same time. Enjoying it much!

Thank you for writing such a sensitive post. I can only imagine the struggles of someone who is trying to rid of his/her deamons. I wish you all the best and also to Yoo Ha In.

I saw a comment regarding expressing your concern to Netflix. That was by phone call. The comment is under YAI's page here on MDL. I am copying the exact comment below. Might be of help.
"Love movies 20 days ago
@Donkonk Go on Netflix. Scroll to the bottom. click on contact. Then they give you a special number. Call them - there is a phone number there and tell them how you feel. they write it down, read it back to you, and they submit it."

:) :) Classics like 'No Regret' gets 7.1!

As a 'criminal suspect'?!!!
Enormously saddened and heart broken by all of this.
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230320005000315

Agreed again. 'JSI had far better romantic tension with SHK.' The only scene that really gave me something (chills, goosebumps, etc.) was when JSI got into the elevator and SHK was waiting. 😀

Again, totally agree with you :). I wished he had more screen time but the way the character was dealt with I am good. That poor child needs someone solid in her corner. But he going ahead and killing the biological father, I felt was out of character. Wouldn't he have someone else to do it? His acting was top notch though. I read he is a vereral stage actor. I loved the acting

A big sigh! I hope he has the courage and support to carry on and heal. I read a Washington Post article couple days ago about him, quite a comprehensive narrative on the spectacle of his fall 😞.