The new SBS thriller drama Regina Mantis It has become a classification success in just two episodes, thanks to the acclaimed performance of Go Hyun-Jung. However, the show is facing hard criticism to perpetuate the stigma against people with schizophrenia.
In the transmission of 6 September of episode 2, a controversial line was delivered during a police investigation scene. When the Detective Choi Hyuk (played by Kim Tae-Jung) reported that a suspicion was a patient with schizophrenia, the chief Choi Chong-Ho (Jo Sung-ha) replied in no uncertain terms: “So do you mean that he is a crazy person?”
This single line turned on a repercussions to equate all patients with schizophrenia with being “crazy” and dangerous.
Mental health experts point out that schizophrenia is a neurological disorder, not a lack of personality or a sign of “madness”. Symptoms such as hallucinations and disappointments occur due to brain function problems, not because patients choose such behaviors.
While popular media often describe patients with schizophrenia as violent, studies show that reality is very different. Most patients are not a danger to others, and in fact often suffer from social and self-stigma retreat. With adequate treatment and management, many can lead a normal life. The early intervention significantly improves recovery results.
Landing them as “crazy” in a drama in the early evening risks strengthening harmful stereotypes, discouraging patients from the search for care and deepening social discrimination.
A study by the Soul National University medical school (analyzing the statistics on crime 2012-2016) revealed that the overall crime rate among the patients of schizophrenia is actually lower than the general population: about 72.7-90.3 for 10,000 people, only a fifth of the general crime rate.
However, the study also found higher rates of serious crimes such as murder (5 times higher) and the malicious fire (5-8.5 times higher) than non-patient, which can contribute to public fear and false declaration.
Many spectators ask SBS to issue excuses, underlining that these dialogues from a mainstream network can leave lasting scars on patients and their families. A comment reads: “It is disappointing that such a strong drama with acting and writing would use a language that stigmatizes mental illness.”
Despite the success of his first rating, Regina Mantis Now it is under pressure to face the controversy and manage the representation of mental health with greater sensitivity that moves forward.
Sources: Nate News
