By D. Maan, Jadetimes News
Experiencing Confinement, Inside South Korea's 'Happiness Factory'
At the Happiness Factory, the only connection to the outside world for each tiny room is a feeding hole in the door. Inside these cells, which are no larger than a store cupboard, no phones or laptops are allowed, and the inhabitants have only bare walls for company.
Residents, dressed in blue prison uniforms, are not inmates but participants seeking a "confinement experience." Most have a child who has withdrawn from society, and they come to the center to understand firsthand what it feels like to be completely cut off from the world.
Solitary Confinement Experience, Parents Seek to Understand Their Reclusive Children
At the Happiness Factory, participants reside in solitary confinement cells to gain insight into the lives of their reclusive children, often referred to as hikikomori, a term originating from Japan in the 1990s to describe severe social withdrawal among adolescents and young adults.
A 2022 survey by the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare of 15,000 individuals aged 19 to 34 revealed that over 5% were isolating themselves, which could represent approximately 540,000 people in South Korea.
Since April, parents have been participating in a 13 week parental education program funded and run by NGOs, the Korea Youth Foundation and the Blue Whale Recovery Centre. The aim is to improve communication between parents and their children. As part of the program, participants spend three days in a facility in Hongcheon gun, Gangwon Province, experiencing isolation in a room that replicates a solitary confinement cell. The hope is that this experience will offer parents a deeper understanding of their children's struggles with social withdrawal.
Experiencing an 'Emotional Prison', A Mother's Insight
Jin Young hae, whose son has isolated himself in his bedroom for three years, gained a better understanding of his "emotional prison" after her own confinement experience.
"I've been wondering what I did wrong... it's painful to think about," the 50 year old says. "But as I started reflecting, I gained some clarity."
Reluctance to talk
Her son has always been talented, Ms Jin says, and she and his father had high expectations of him. But he was often ill, struggled to maintain friendships and eventually developed an eating disorder, making going to school difficult.
When her son began attending university, he seemed to be doing well for a term but one day, he totally withdrew. Seeing him locked in his room, neglecting personal hygiene and meals, broke her heart But although anxiety, difficulties in relationships with family and friends, and disappointment at not having been accepted into a top university may have affected her son, he is reluctant to talk to her about what is truly wrong.
Gaining Insight from Other's Experiences
When Ms. Jin arrived at the Happiness Factory, she read notes written by other isolated young people. "Reading those notes made me realize, 'Ah, he's protecting himself with silence because no one understands him,'" she says.
Park Han sil (not her real name) came to the center for her 26 year old son, who cut off all communication with the outside world seven years ago. After running away from home a few times, he now rarely leaves his room. Ms. Park took him to a counselor and doctors, but her son refused to take the prescribed mental health medication and became obsessed with playing video games.
Interpersonal Relationships and Understanding
While Ms. Park still struggles to connect with her son, she has begun to understand his feelings better through the isolation program. "I've realized that it's important to accept my child's life without forcing him into a specific mold," she says.
Research by the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare suggests various factors drive young people to cut themselves off. According to the ministry's survey of 19 to 34 year olds, the most common reasons are,
- Difficulties finding a job (24.1%)
- Issues with interpersonal relationships (23.5%)
- Family problems (12.4%)
- Health issues (12.4%)
South Korea has some of the highest suicide rates in the world. Last year, its government unveiled a five year plan to address this, including state funded mental health check ups for people aged 20 to 34 every two years.
Societal Pressures and Intergenerational Struggles
In Japan, the initial wave of young people isolating themselves in the 1990s has created a demographic of middle aged individuals who are financially dependent on their elderly parents. Trying to support adult children solely on a pension has led some older individuals into poverty and depression.
Professor Jeong Go woon, from Kyung Hee University's sociology department, argues that Korean society's rigid expectations regarding major life milestones exacerbate young people's anxiety, especially during periods of economic stagnation and low employment. The societal belief that a child's achievements reflect parental success contributes to entire families experiencing isolation. Moreover, many parents interpret their children's challenges as a personal failure in parenting, which intensifies feelings of guilt.
"In Korea, parental love and emotions are often expressed through practical actions and roles rather than verbal affirmations," Prof. Jeong explains. "For instance, parents sacrificing to finance their children's education exemplifies Confucian values emphasizing responsibility."
This cultural emphasis on hard work mirrors South Korea's rapid economic ascent in the latter half of the 20th century, propelling it to become a major global economy. However, according to the World Inequality Database, wealth inequality in the country has worsened over the past three decades.
Impact on Family Dynamics
According to Kim Ok ran, director of the Blue Whale Recovery Centre, the perception that self isolating young people are solely a "family problem" results in many parents withdrawing from their social circles as well. This fear of judgment prevents them from discussing their situation with close family members.
"They are unable to openly address the issue, which leads to parents isolating themselves," Ms. Kim explains. "This often means they refrain from attending family gatherings, especially during holidays."
Vigilant Support
Parents at the Happiness Factory anxiously await the day their children can return to a normal life. When asked what message she would convey to her son upon his return from isolation, Ms. Jin's eyes brim with tears.
"You've endured so much," she says, her voice trembling. "It must have been incredibly difficult."
"I'll be here for you," she promises.