TV Chosun ‘Dad and Me Season 3’
The ‘doting dad’ Kim Jung-tae moved to a smaller home for his son to study abroad, saying, “Lonely and exhausted, but not yet,” and delivered a moving display of paternal love to viewers at home.
On TV Chosun ‘Dad and Me Season 3,’ the ‘doting dad’ Kim Jung-tae willingly accepted sacrifices for his two sons and showed the qualities of a family breadwinner. The two sons expressed gratitude for their father’s love and shared an affectionate family bond. In addition, Hyun Joo-yeop spent time with his son Jun-hee and presented a father-son relationship that had changed from before. Jeon Su-kyung brought laughter with a cheerful daily life full of excitement as she spent time with her ‘97-year-old’ father, who advanced to the finals of the National Singing Contest.
On the May 6 broadcast of ‘Dad and Me Season 3,’ Kim Jung-tae’s family spent time together in Seoul and reaffirmed their family bond. When he came to Seoul for work, Kim had been staying in a three-story house in Gwangju, Gyeonggi, but he said, “As the kids grow up, the money going out is no joke. It would be better to cut what I spend and use it on the kids,” and decided to move to a smaller place. On moving day, his two sons, Ji-hoo and Si-hyeon, and his wife visited his place. The boys found their dad Kim Jung-tae’s high school yearbook and a poetry collection he wrote, and began a trip down memory lane. In particular, Kim said, “The dramatic turns in my life have mostly been because of family,” revealing that he had written poems for his sons. To this, Han Hye-jin said, “It is all about family,” admiring Kim’s extraordinary affection for his loved ones.
While the move was under way, the family headed to Itaewon. Dreaming of studying in the United States, Ji-hoo was fascinated by streets full of foreigners. More comfortable with English to the point that he spoke it before Korean, Ji-hoo even joked around while ordering when a foreign staffer approached. When meeting a psychiatrist for an evaluation for ‘Asperger syndrome,’ he looked visibly tense in awkward Korean, but when speaking English, he appeared at ease. Seeing this, Kim’s wife said, “I was surprised. I realized English is truly comfortable for Ji-hoo,” expressing her amazement. Furthermore, Ji-hoo watched CNN news playing in the restaurant and rattled off international issues. With knowledge spanning politics, current affairs, and the economy, he even fielded a barrage of questions from his parents, who found themselves learning from him. Jun Hyun-moo quipped, “The parents are more like a daughter and son,” highlighting Ji-hoo’s reliability.
The family finally arrived at Kim Jung-tae’s new studio apartment. Excited by the small but lofted space, Ji-hoo and Si-hyeon went up to the second level. However, they complained, “The ceiling is low. You cannot stand up here.” Later, as they marked the move by sharing jjajangmyeon, the family asked for Kim’s thoughts on the new home. Kim said, “It is a bit cramped, but the location is good,” adding that it was more convenient, being much closer to Seoul than the previous house. His wife said, “I felt a little bittersweet. We came to a smaller place to save even a little, so I thought saying ‘It is good, it is good’ would help you feel affection for the home,” and showered him with positive words.
Ji-hoo asked his father, “How do you feel living alone in Seoul?” Kim replied, “I am lonely. In Busan, I can joke around with you guys and cook ramen together... After going back and forth between Seoul and Busan for 35 years, I am a bit worn out. But I cannot get tired now,” conveying the heart of a breadwinner who must endure for his family even when he misses them. Ji-hoo said, “Going back and forth must be hard for you, Dad. But seeing you do it without getting irritated, I know how much you love the family,” revealing he already understood his father’s heart and moving Kim deeply.
A markedly changed daily life of Hyun Joo-yeop and his son was also revealed. Previously unable to understand Jun-hee’s feelings, Hyun said that after appearing on ‘Dad and Me’ he was able to look into his son’s inner thoughts and resolved to listen more closely. Declaring, “A day to listen to Jun-hee and do what he wants,” Hyun decided to devote a day to his son. The first thing Jun-hee wanted to do with Dad was take ‘four-cut photos.’
While Jun-hee naturally prepared for the photo shoot with a wig and glasses, Hyun, who had never dressed up like that, froze. In the end, Jun-hee put a curly wig and a hat on his dad and styled him, and Hyun, seemingly determined, went along with whatever his son suggested. Hyun’s close friend Jun Hyun-moo marveled at the change, saying, “He is someone who would never, ever do that.” Hyun even pulled off finger hearts and playful poses with Jun-hee. Jun-hee said, “Dad really dislikes wearing a wig and disguising himself. But since we came to make memories and I asked, he did it for me. I was so grateful,” expressing thanks for the effort by his father.
The two then tried ‘powered paragliding,’ Jun-hee’s second wish. Faced with flights up to an altitude of 1,500 m, Hyun was terrified, but he took the leap to fulfill what his son dreamed of. Overjoyed, Jun-hee said, “This is the kind of thing you have to do to have fun. I would really have regretted not riding. It was so beautiful that I felt, ‘I must have lived to see this.’ I felt joyful and relieved.” Hyun, who shed tears while saying it was because of the wind, added, “I was glad that Jun-hee had things he wanted to do, and glad he became brighter,” conveying his desire to grant more of his son’s wishes. He also expressed gratitude that, thanks to ‘Dad and Me,’ their father-son relationship had grown closer. Spending time together, the two showed a much closer bond, adding to the poignancy.
Also revealed was the ‘excitement-exploding’ preliminary round of the 97-year-old father of Jeon Su-kyung, who took on the National Singing Contest at the suggestion of his daughter. To prepare, he received special coaching from 17-year-old ‘trot princess’ Oh Yu-jin, an alumna of ‘Miss Trot 3,’ who is 80 years younger. The ‘oldest challenger’ took the preliminary stage with ‘Dream of Youth’ and, with flair honed through special training, drew a heated response and finished his performance. As encore requests poured in from the preliminaries, he brought down the house with his favorite song ‘Nest’ and secured a unanimous decision from the judges to advance to the finals. Jeon felt proud as she spent the day with her father, who continues a cheerful daily life even as he nears 100.
Capturing how once-clumsy and distant parents and children confirmed each other’s sincerity and came closer, delivering warm empathy and tender family love, ‘Dad and Me’ wrapped up Season 3 with its May 6 broadcast.
