Virtual reality 'reunites' mother with dead daughter in South Korean doc

A heart-wrenching reunion between a mother and her deceased daughter aired last week in a documentary by South Korean broadcaster MBC.

Wearing virtual reality (VR) goggles, Korean mother Jang Ji-sung burst into tears as an avatar of her seven-year-old daughter, Na-Yeon, emerged from behind piles of wood at a neighbourhood park, which was her usual playground, until she died from blood-related diseases three years ago.

The documentary, titled "Meeting You," struck a chord with many South Koreans while highlighting the growing scope of possibilities for the new technology beyond gaming.

#GlobalNews

[globalnews]

What if you could still see a loved one even after they were gone? Do you think this goes too far?

[ryanilagan]

You all fail to recognize that she WANTED this. It's not like was kidnapped and forced to see her daughter. She wanted to one more time to see her.

[keithhall]

You all know she lost her daughter very suddenly right? Like in a month because of a blood disease.She wasn’t forced or coerced to do this. She wanted to because she felt like she didn’t get a chance to say goodbye and that it would help her find closure.Near the end of the full video she actually does say goodbye to her daughter, like she wanted to. What might not help you may help others that shouldn’t have to be pointed out.Just because someone wants closure in a strange way dosent mean it’s wrong.

[maheshmaganti]

At least the mother was happy. It gave her a sense of closure knowing her daughter was ok

[왓더쿼카]

I want to explain as a Korean because many people misunderstand this project. The project is not aimed at creating a virtual child and healing the mind, but is an project that shows what the last greeting means to Koreans.
There is a belief called "Hyeon-mong 현몽" in Korean traditional religion. This means A special dream. After a person dies, the soul stands trial for 49 days or 3 years, and after the trial, dead one can appear in the dream of a living family.
When people loses a precious person, that people becomes thinking of dead one and naturally dreams, and Koreans heal their minds by believing that the precious one would have gone to heaven through that dream.
But there is one contradiction in Korean traditional religion. The soul of a child under 10 is not to be tried. Because child’s soul is immediately leaded to "Western sky-flower garden ; Korea’s heaven 서천꽃밭" by "Goddess Samshin 삼신할머니" the goddess of childbirth.
So the mother who lost her child can not dream and say goodbye. This project was carried out to reduce such grief.

[MorphinGaming]

She looked like an angel. I hope she’s resting.

[Tomcat]

It was her own choice, stop judging them. Yes, it was pretty painful to see the loved one again after they were gone but her daughter was dying of disease. I heard that she doesn’t even got to say goodbye to her daughter. Nayeon just died immediately. She also said it was a dream that she always wanted to dream of. This technology does comfort her even it’s not real but at least she got to see her again

[shookwithtea]

Ya’ll really dumb for this. If you guys haven’t realize yet, this whole thing is a project to see if VR Technology could help soothe and warm the human mind. And by the looks of it, she looks COMPLETELY sane and fine at the end of the video.

People commenting this is forced and torture is literally a different breed I swear-

[desirelabelle]

This is heartbreaking.. So emotional.. Glad in some way she is trying to get heal in such way.

[thadiatorgaming]

My heart goes out to this mother. I could not imagine what it’s like. I’m gunna hold my two girls very tight.

[DoIly]

For all the judgmental people who haven't even watched this whole documentary and commenting this tv show is exploiting the grieving mother's feelings, the mother wanted to do this because she wanted closure. She lost her child so suddenly and felt like she hadn't had a chance to say a proper goodbye. Because of this she placed her daughter's photos everywhere and was almost in a state of obsession for three years. Hearing this mother's story, the documentary team and the family discussed and prepared for this experience for months and they specifically did this so that the mother can say a proper goodbye and move on. The mother commented later that she felt good after doing this and it's not like she will be obsessed with an NPC character over and over. The whole point was that this will be a one-last-time goodbye. So there's no need to trash the team's efforts and leave hateful comments especially if you don't know the whole story.

[The_Primary_Axiom]

If you didn’t tear up watching this you’re not human.

[aaroncruz]

I would give anything in the world just to see my mom one last time.

[dionabeck]

My father passed away when I was 19 due to a boat accident in March of 2016. The last time I saw him before then was during Christmas break. The last time I talked to him was 2 days before he died. I would love to just see him and tell him that I love him one more time. I miss him every day.

[funnykiwi]

Jang Ji-Sung, know that your beautiful little girl is smiling down at you from heaven, stand strong ♡

[kanseoyoung]

A woman who has lost a husband is called a widow.
A man who has lost a wife is called a widower.
A child who has lost a parent is called an orphan.
There is no word for a parent who has lost a child.

[joose]

The fact that she can carry on is beyond me. I'm not that strong, and really fragile. This would break me beyond repair, and I really admire this mother for being so powerful.

[bethapudifloree]

I want this to experience once so that I could see my mom again, miss her alot

[Lofisongs.]

I want this in my life i miss my sister

[marygracedumlao]

The mother will never be at peace. She might think she will but it will never be okay to see "your daughter". Please dont do this to yourself. Your just making yourself more hurtful. Shes in heaven now.