Parents Are Locking Themselves in Happiness Factory in South Korea: Here is Everything You Need to Know

In the picturesque Gangwon Province of South Korea, a unique and poignant experiment is unfolding. 

Parents are willingly locking themselves in small, solitary cells at a facility known as the Happiness Factory. 

No phones, laptops, or any form of distraction are allowed. 

These cells, no larger than a store cupboard, offer only bare walls for company. 

Yet, these parents are not inmates; they are participants in a 13-week parental education program designed to foster empathy and understanding for their socially withdrawn children.

Understanding Hikikomori

The term "hikikomori," originating from Japan in the 1990s, describes a severe form of social withdrawal among adolescents and young adults. 

This phenomenon is not confined to Japan. A survey by South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare revealed that over 5 percent of 19- to 34-year-olds are isolating themselves. 

Extrapolated to the wider population, this suggests that approximately 540,000 South Koreans are in similar situations of isolation.

The Program: A Journey into Isolation

Since April, the Korea Youth Foundation and the Blue Whale Recovery Centre have been running a program aimed at helping parents better understand their children's experiences. 

This includes spending three days in a solitary-confinement cell at the Happiness Factory. 

By experiencing isolation firsthand, parents gain deeper insights into the emotional and psychological states of their children.

For many parents, like Jin Young-hae (not her real name), whose son has been isolated in his bedroom for three years, this program has been transformative. 

Jin reflects on her time in confinement, "I've been wondering what I did wrong... it's painful to think about. 

But as I started reflecting, I gained some clarity." This clarity has led to a better understanding of her son’s "emotional prison."

The Emotional Prison

Many of these reclusive young people are talented and had high expectations placed on them by their parents. 

However, difficulties in maintaining friendships, health issues, and academic pressures often lead to their withdrawal from society. 

Jin's son, for example, excelled in university initially but eventually withdrew completely, leading to a cycle of neglecting personal hygiene and meals, which broke her heart.

Park Han-sil (not her real name) faced a similar situation with her 26-year-old son, who has been isolated for seven years. 

Despite efforts to seek professional help, her son refused medication and became obsessed with video games. 

Through the isolation program, Park has started to better understand her son’s feelings, realizing the importance of accepting his life without forcing him into a specific mould.

Factors Driving Isolation

Research by the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare points to various factors contributing to this phenomenon:

difficulties finding a job (24.1%)

issues with interpersonal relationships (23.5%)

family problems (12.4%)

health issues (12.4%)

South Korea's high suicide rates have prompted the government to implement a five-year plan addressing mental health issues, including state-funded mental health check-ups for people aged 20-34 every two years.

The Cultural Context

The cultural expectation in South Korea that significant life milestones should be reached at specific times amplifies young people's anxiety, especially during economic stagnation and low employment. 

This pressure often leads entire families into isolation, with parents feeling guilty and perceiving their child’s struggles as a failure in upbringing.

Professor Jeong Go-woon from Kyung Hee University notes that Korean parents often express love through practical actions rather than verbal expressions, a reflection of Confucian culture. 

This culture, emphasizing responsibility and hard work, may also contribute to the country’s wealth inequality, which has worsened over the past three decades.

Breaking the Silence

The Blue Whale Recovery Centre's director, Kim Ok-ran, emphasizes that viewing self-isolation as a "family problem" leads to parents isolating themselves as well. 

Many parents are afraid of judgment and do not discuss their situation, even with close family members, resulting in further isolation.

The parents participating in the Happiness Factory program hope for the day their children can resume a normal life. 

Jin, with tears in her eyes, expresses what she would say to her son if he emerged from isolation, "You've been through so much. It was hard, wasn't it? I'll be watching over you."

Where to Get Help

For those in need, several helplines and services are available, including:

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor.

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7).

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202.

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7).

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234.

What's Up: Free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7 days/week.

Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm.

The Happiness Factory offers a glimpse of hope and a path to understanding for parents grappling with the challenges of their children’s social withdrawal. 

Through empathy and shared experiences, these parents are taking steps to bridge the gap and bring their children back into the world.