Alone in a Trash-Filled House - The Story of Isolated Young Adults: SBS's It's Okay to Know

This content was broadcast on May 11, 2024.

SBS's "It's Good to Know" is a very famous investigative documentary in South Korea.

The recently aired SBS documentary program "It's Good to Know" covered the stories of young people living in 'trash houses'. The program shed light on the lives of young people living in isolation and seclusion, exploring the background and causes of why they were driven to such a state.

In the midst of an isolated life

Young people who seem to be trapped in an isolated space have their houses filled with trash due to many unnecessary items. Most of these young people are said to be in a state of severe depression or burnout, lacking the energy to even clean their homes. The broadcast showed a 20-year-old woman trapped in a pile of garbage due to her inability to clean her house for several years because of her apathy.

Why do young people's trash houses occur?

This phenomenon is particularly on the rise among young people in their 20s and 30s. Due to factors such as job failures and difficulties in interpersonal relationships, they have become isolated and are experiencing severe mental difficulties, losing the strength to even clean their homes. In the program, a young man who ended up living in a trash house confessed that he didn't have the energy to throw out the trash due to work stress and apathy.

The decision to clean, a new beginning

Fortunately, some young people are resolving to clean and prepare for a new start. The broadcast showed a young man receiving help from a cleaning service to clean up his trash house and find hope for a fresh start. After cleaning, he expressed a desire to revisit the ocean trip he had long forgotten.

Isolation and seclusion, emerging as a social issue

The phenomenon of young people's trash houses is emerging as a social issue, not simply a personal one. According to a recent government survey, 5 out of 100 young people are experiencing isolation and seclusion, and they feel even more lonely because they find it difficult to communicate with their families. The lack of a social support system and mental difficulties are among the main reasons why they end up living in trash houses.

Conclusion

"It's Good to Know" shed light on the suffering hidden within isolation and seclusion through the stories of young people living in trash houses. Their problems demonstrate the need for social support and mental assistance beyond simply cleaning up trash. We all need to be concerned and make efforts so that young people can find hope again and reconnect with society.