JTBC’s new investigative documentary series “Nobody Knew, Behind” has launched with a disturbing and emotional premiere episode, shedding light on two stark issues: the hidden lives of Korea’s “trash house” youth and the harrowing real-life case of a husband who chose to play tennis instead of helping his critically injured wife.
In the first episode, aired on July 1, the show tackled the phenomenon of “trash houses”—homes of young adults overflowing with garbage, food waste, and filth. One such case featured 33-year-old Arum (alias), whose one-room apartment was so packed with waste that it was nearly impossible to move. Delivery containers and spoiled food had formed mountains inside the space.
Surprisingly, such living conditions are becoming increasingly common among Korea’s 20s and 30s generation. According to a cleaning service company, over 80% of recent cleaning requests now come from this age group. From webtoon artists to university students, the show explores why more young people are falling into this lifestyle and how they survive amidst such overwhelming conditions.
But the most heartbreaking and controversial segment of the episode was the story of a man who discovered his wife collapsed and bleeding in the bathroom, yet chose to take a photo and send it to their daughter—before leaving to play tennis. This occurred in May 2030, and since that day, the woman has remained unconscious in a hospital bed, cared for solely by her daughter who abandoned her career to become her full-time caregiver.
The daughter, working with the “Nobody Knew, Behind” team, begins to unravel the mystery of what truly happened that day. As she digs through remnants and clues, she also discovers previously unknown aspects of her mother’s life—deep, emotional revelations that add to the pain of the event.
The episode reaches its emotional climax when the daughter finally confronts her father. His explanation for his shocking actions leaves viewers stunned, with narrator Lee Sang-yeob and anchor Anna Kyung reportedly moved to tears during the recording.
“Nobody Knew, Behind” promises to explore the 1% of truth hidden behind well-known or ignored events, offering raw and emotional narratives that blend mystery with heartfelt storytelling.
You must be logged in to post a comment.