The nation's first childbirth relay entertainment show is coming.
On the morning of the 7th, a press conference for the nation's first childbirth relay variety show, TV Chosun's 'Our Baby is Born,' took place at the TV Chosun studio in Gasan-dong, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. The event featured MCs Park Su-hong and Yang Se-hyung, along with Producer Lee Seung-hoon, Director Kim Jun, and Writer Jang Joo-yeon, who shared their insights.
'Our Baby is Born' is the nation's first childbirth relay variety show that provides support for expectant parents and showcases the precious journey of life until birth, at a time when births have become rare due to the low birthrate. Park Su-hong, a loving husband and a late-blooming father, and Yang Se-hyung, a rising star in entertainment, have been selected as MCs, with the participation journey of 'Archery Queen' Ki Bo-bae and 'Hey Mom' Son Dam-bi being revealed.
First, Producer Lee Seung-hoon explained the reason for planning this nation's first entertainment show relaying childbirth by saying, "While thinking about what kind of program to create, society is chaotic these days, and life is harsh, so it seems like there is not much to celebrate." He continued, "Remembering the times I directed in the field, capturing childbirth was the most touching and extraordinary moment filled with various emotions. This idea came about thinking of creating such a program."
He added, "As we proceed, it turns out that what I thought was correct. While working as a producer, I have thought about making a program that is meaningful and touching. The MCs are present at the precious moment on the day of childbirth, witnessing the tense moments together, saying congratulations when the baby is born, and blessing families; that’s the kind of program it is."
Yang Se-hyung shared his considerations for joining the show, saying, "Actually, I haven't married or had a child yet, and I wondered if I would fit this program. But thinking it over, I realized that there would be single viewers as well."
He added, "For someone like me to watch, I can question things as a similar character. As an expectant father who does not know when it will happen, I thought maybe I should experience it in advance. Watching the moment a baby is born brings forth feelings I didn't know existed, and I began to cautiously wonder what it would be like when my own child is actually born."
Yang Se-hyung is recognized as the king of questions. He acknowledged, "Senior Su-hong is an experienced father, while I have no experience at all. I tend to ask so many questions that the filming sometimes drags on."
He also noted, "Actually, the only time I've been to an obstetrics clinic was when I was born. While questioning, I learned things I didn’t know, and realized my mother experienced this process to give birth to me. Parents and children don't usually share such stories. Hearing those stories, I learned new facts about it."
Park Su-hong mentioned that it has been 6 months since he held his daughter. He said, "I have to work hard, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity, but when I first received the call, Producer Lee Seung-hoon called me in a desperate situation, saying he wasn't sure about my style."
He continued, "It hasn’t been long since my child was born, but my work has decreased. The concept of 'Our Baby is Born' is fresh; they say a baby will be born every week. I asked, 'How is that possible?' but they were confident and said they would come to my house. They came with a proposal including my face, explaining why I needed to be involved," he recounted, sharing the absurd feelings he experienced at the time.
He further added, "Even though the expected dates are mixed up in the proposal, the babies that are expected to come are noted and some are already born. While we all needed each other, I think this program will become a miracle going forward."
Especially regarding his participation in 'Our Baby is Born,' Park Su-hong was asked about his wife's reaction and replied, "My wife has been packing my clothes since early morning today, and she really feels like a true companion in life. A friend, and I'm so grateful for her. When I leave to work, she always hugs Jae-i and supports me, telling me to do well. My wife loves this program and supports it; initially, she was so enthusiastic, saying, 'It's perfect for you, oppa.'"
Director Kim Jun expressed his appreciation for the chemistry between the two, stating, "They are delivering their roles more than 100%. Park Su-hong has empathy as he had a baby not long ago; he is the first to cry and the first to jump around on site, which is a delightful sight. Yang Se-hyung, too, asks questions from the audience's perspective, celebrates, and enjoys it, so we're very grateful as the production team."
Producer Lee Seung-hoon added, "I know well, and the three requirements needed for an MC on this program are sincerity, warmth, and curiosity. Park Su-hong is warm, and both are very sincere. Even though they are on a standby period of 5 minutes, they come very sincerely. Yang Se-hyung has curiosity in various aspects. The harmony of their sincerity and curiosity seems to fit perfectly."
Yang Se-hyung mentioned, "I didn’t think I asked a lot of questions. Since others say I do, I realize it. When I study purposely, I feel like I’m asking questions knowingly, so I go in completely unaware. I have been watching 'Unsung,' and since it involves obstetrics, I observe what cases there are to understand better, and it helps me ask questions."
The first filming, likewise, took place like a miracle. Park Su-hong recounted, "I suddenly received a call early in the morning saying a baby was coming. At 6 a.m., while I was asleep, my phone rang. Since my phone was on silent for the baby, my wife woke me up because of the vibration and the baby crying," he recalled. He continued, "Jae-i woke me up so that I could answer the call, and just 20 minutes after receiving the call, I arrived at the scene where the baby was born. If I hadn't lived nearby, I would have missed the moment of birth. Fortunately, Jae-i woke me, and our daughter allowed me to be part of this program's start."
Park Su-hong remarked, "I didn't realize how much my wife struggled with the cesarean section alone. I learned a lot from this program. I had no understanding of the noble sacrifices of women and how much effort—figuratively, blood, and everything—goes into the moment a baby is born. Seeing the baby born at home, I was with family, and there were older siblings as well. They welcomed the baby into the world, singing a birthday song. Director Kim Jun advised me not to interfere and just to observe, as the family wanted that. The first sound I heard at that moment was actually my own scream."
Park Su-hong shared, "I was so surprised that I involuntarily shouted 'Ah!' And when I looked beside me, the writer was crying, and I was crying too. It's an indescribable moment; the moment of birth is miraculous and awe-inspiring. To the parents who allowed that moment to happen, the medical team, the midwives, and the production team waiting all night for the babies who didn’t know when they would be born, and Yang Se-hyung, who is busy but still there; all of those miracles coming together make this program happen."
Before the serious talk began, there was a strong sense that the filming would not be easy. Regarding this, Writer Jang Joo-yeon also said, "We are filming a lot each episode. Although there is an expected date, it's a program where we don't know when it will come. Triplet babies were born in Daegu. From early morning, we went there to witness how love was made, how childbirth started, and the entire process of birth, which we had never seen before. Triplets are considered preterm, and being born underweight presents critical and tense moments."
Writer Jang shared, "While discussing with her husband about the baby coming, I realized that every hour and every moment is filled with joy and sorrow. Have I ever prayed so desperately for someone else? Even when the MCs waited for the mother to come out late from recovery, they squatted together, not leaving. They even delayed their train schedules just to see the mother coming out and cried alongside her. This shows that, beyond being entertainment, we can share in a moment of joyful celebration in someone's life. There are emotions that simply cannot be expressed beyond the word 'awe.' I believe there will be more tears of joy in the future."
Yang Se-hyung and Park Su-hong previously collaborated when Park Su-hong was still 'single.' Now, with Park Su-hong having gotten married and become a father, there may be a difference in feelings. What does Yang Se-hyung think?
Yang Se-hyung replied, "When my senior had Jae-i and we were doing the show together, my breaks were completely gone. During breaks, every conversation kept coming back to Jae-i. I needed a break, but at first, I thought that taking a break meant just sitting quietly in a chair. Seeing my senior talk sincerely and joyfully about his child made me feel serene, as well. Just as I find happiness in seeing a child's laugh, watching my senior's bright smile also helped me feel at ease. After the baby was born, I feel like I became a child again."
In response, Park Su-hong asked, "Can I keep going?" and added, "Even before I came here, I was saying the same thing in the waiting room. It seems like I wanted to be alone." Yang Se-hyung teased back, saying, "If I really struggle, I will make a serious face to express my feelings."
Park Su-hong highlighted that among the comedians he cherishes, there are Son Heon-soo, Kim In-seok, and Yang Se-hyung, mentioning they met when they were newcomers, and now they are all involved in this program. He remarked, "It seems like this program allows me to convey the greatest happiness I have felt in life without even realizing it. I didn't mean to trouble my juniors. One of the program's obligations is to convey a social message, as if saying, 'I hope you get to experience this, too' throughout the show."
In connection with his participation in 'Our Baby is Born,' Park Su-hong was asked about his wife's reaction again and said, "My wife has been packing more clothes since this morning, and she feels like a true companion in life. A friend, and I am so thankful for her. When I leave to work, she always hugs Jae-i and supports me, telling me to do well. My wife loves this program and supports it; at first, she was so enthusiastic, saying, 'It's perfect for you, oppa.'"
Yang Se-hyung also shared, "When my sister-in-law said a new baby was coming, my brother, preparing to live, had some gifts he had received. Since Jae-i has grown, my sister-in-law has been bringing things she can no longer use for him. Some might wonder if she wouldn’t be tired, having to take care of her own newborn, but surprisingly, my sister-in-law seems even more curious. Thus, during breaks, we talk together, and if they announce a baby has been born, we hear voices saying, 'That’s wonderful.'"
Park Su-hong expressed gratitude toward his wife, stating, "I appreciate that she prepares gifts, showing her depth of thought. We've experienced the birth of our child. It’s a child we eagerly awaited, but I am the dad who might pop up at any moment during this program. On the way home for dinner, the writer asked me to stand by for a call in an hour, saying, 'Sorry!' My wife then told me, 'Hurry and eat something, oppa,' so I went to see the baby being born. It seems Yang Se-hyung's style is to set up promises two months in advance, but he mentioned he hasn't been able to schedule anything since this program."
The MCs are seen encouraging families while witnessing the childbirth process. This has resulted in them maintaining their '5-minute standby' situation. Park Su-hong mentioned, "On the way home for dinner, the writer told me, 'I’m sorry, but I’ll call you within the next hour, so please be on standby.' I went home right away, and my wife said, 'Oppa, hurry and eat something,' allowing me to see the baby being born," and added, "Yang Se-hyung's style is to schedule two months ahead, but he says he's been unable to arrange any plans since this program began."
In fact, Yang Se-hyung stated, "I am known as Power J. I have broken a lot of important promises. People around me have started to see me coldly. However, I explained the program to them. I believe that those who watch the program will understand instead."
Meanwhile, the program will feature not only well-known figures like Son Dam-bi and Ki Bo-bae but also ordinary moms. When concerns were raised regarding the extent of exposure during filming, Writer Jang Joo-yeon explained, "We discuss many times, including a pre-meeting and the main filming, with the mothers. We conduct thorough pre-interviews and discuss as couples what aspects they wish to be careful about when capturing childbirth scenes."
Writer Jang Joo-yeon added, "Even in the field, we prioritize the safety and comfort of the mothers, highlighting that there are unexpected exposures. Slightly unusual portrayals may appear unfamiliar to viewers, and we discuss these aspects with the participants. We seek their understanding and gather opinions because it is something presented to viewers, which we strive to consider thoroughly."
Additionally, Producer Lee Seung-hoon responded positively to inquiries about documenting the growth of the children born in the future, stating, "The first baby to be born has already surpassed a month. We have plans to capture their journeys, including their first birthday celebration. The couples from the first episode will showcase what they received as gifts on video, and the triplet family from Daegu will also send photos."
TV Chosun's 'Our Baby is Born' will premiere on the 9th at 10 p.m.
[Photo] TV Chosun's 'Our Baby is Born'
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