TV Chosun ‘Love in Joseon’

On TV Chosun’s ‘Love in Joseon,’ veteran actor Kim Yong-gun displayed adept childcare skills for his daughter-in-law Hwang Bo-ra and grandson Woo-in. Also, Bae Ki-sung, who developed ‘sudden hearing loss’ from overexertion, revealed his realistic concerns about pregnancy and daily life with his wife Lee Eun-bi.

On the episode aired on the 2nd, Hwang Bo-ra’s now-19-month-old son, Kim Woo-in, appeared brimming with energy. Before the three headed to a sledding hill that day, Hwang invited her father-in-law Kim Yong-gun to serve as a ‘one-day sitter,’ entrusting him for the first time with full-time care. Kim also sent a warm video letter to Choi Sung-kuk, with whom he had once acted as a father-and-son duo. In response, Choi said, “I always feel reassured thanks to you, sir,” drawing laughs with their ‘late-in-life-dad camaraderie.’ When it came up that, as the only daughter-in-law, Hwang prepares the ancestral memorial table alone, the love life of Hwang’s brother-in-law Ha Jung-wooamid marriage rumorsand actor Cha Jung-won was also mentioned. Speaking about the relationship between Ha and Cha, which began by chance, Hwang lightly introduced it by saying, “It seems the man liked her more.”

After wolfing down banquet noodles that Grandpa Kim Yong-gun had made himself, Woo-in showed off his ‘mukbang genes’ with satisfying exclamations reminiscent of his uncle Ha Jung-woo, a ‘mukbang authority.’ Then, while Hwang Bo-ra briefly stepped away, Kim proved himself a ‘childcare master’ with vivid picture-book storytelling and adept diaper-changing skills. He even brought indoor play equipment that filled the living room just for Woo-in, showing unstinting love for his grandson.

Also, through an anecdote about Kim Yong-gunwho did not hesitate to visit a large shopping mall for his late-born youngest son Si-onHwang expressed respect, saying, “Because it’s time that never comes back for a child, he (my father-in-law) mustered the courage. It was moving.” At the sledding hill, Hwang and Kim took turns holding Woo-in as they rode, creating a heartwarming time. Watching on the VCR as the adults were utterly absorbed by the thrill of sledding, Jung I-rang quipped, “Woo-in looks the most unruffled,” provoking gales of laughter.

Bae Ki-sung, who had been a standout in ‘The Jujube Tree Love Task Force,’ shared a follow-up to the ‘unprecedented PDA couple’ image he and his wife showed on the previous Love in Joseon broadcast, saying, “We haven’t been hearing from either set of parents. They used to call every day...”

Afterward, Bae visited a Korean medicine clinic to check his health. When he complained of symptoms of ‘sudden hearing loss’ in his right ear, the doctor assessed his condition by saying, “To prepare for pregnancy, your base energy is 1, but you used 10. You’ve become a debtor.” At the doctor’s firm words, the couple blushed and let out a hollow laugh. The doctor also delivered a stinging remark: “There’s no sexual function… it’s arrogance and conceit.” Bae lamented, “We were told to do it as much as possible, so for eight days…! I thought at this rate I might suddenly drop dead,” expressing his frustration at having had to push himself eight days in a row in his fifties. As the Love in Joseon panel in the studio was appalled, Kim Gook-jin clicked his tongue, saying, “I’m amazed Bae Ki-sung is even alive right now.”

The doctor further said, “In this condition, I’m against trying to conceive,” and advised Lee Eun-biwhose daily life is busy on top of preparing for pregnancyto rest. Lee said, “Before we knew it, it became our ninth year of marriage. We came this far just worrying. We decided we shouldn’t postpone it any longer, so we even began considering IVF,” tearing up as she opened up about practical concerns about having a child, her relationship with her in-laws, and the burdens her husband carries.

After Bae’s acupuncture treatment, Lee prepared food for the visiting couple Yoon Jung-soo and his wife. When Bae then appeared, the kitchen instantly turned pink. Turning up the heat with unreserved displays of affection, Bae explained that he became a ‘hard-working love master’ by taking his stern father as a negative example and by responding precisely to his wife’s requests. In the Love in Joseon studio, Kim Gook-jin applauded, saying, “It seems Eun-bi has worked hard, too.”

That day’s nationwide ratings were 3.2%, and the peak minute rating soared to 3.6% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide), ranking No. 1 among general programming channels in the same time slot.

‘Love in Joseon’ airs every Monday at 10 p.m.