Broadcaster Park Soo-hong emphasized the message of the program 'Our Baby Has Been Born.'
Park Soo-hong is showcasing a perfect performance as an MC alongside Yang Se-hyung on TV CHOSUN's 'Our Baby Has Been Born' (directed by Lee Seung-hoon and Kim Jun, written by Jang Joo-yeon), which airs every Friday night at 10 p.m., helping mothers with their childbirth.
'Our Baby Has Been Born' (hereafter referred to as 'Our Baby') is Korea's first variety show that broadcasts the live emotions felt only on the day of childbirth, supporting those expecting to give birth, while emphasizing the precious journey leading to the birth of a child during a time when babies are cherished more due to childbirth.
Despite family conflicts, Park Soo-hong overcame a 23-year age difference to marry Kim Da-ye in 2021. He successfully conceived through in vitro fertilization after overcoming infertility and received much congratulations for the birth of his daughter, Jae-i, in October last year. Recently feeling the emotions of becoming a father, Park Soo-hong has been actively supporting and empathizing intensely at the 'Our Baby' childbirth scene, working as a 'smooth delivery fairy.'
Park Soo-hong, who is experiencing the happiest time in his life while meeting his cat, Da-hong, wife Kim Da-ye, and daughter Jae-i, said regarding thoughts of a second child, "I have no thoughts because I saw my wife going through life-threatening situations. However, she extended the embryo preservation period, and when I asked why, she said, 'Your heart could change, right?' It seems my wife is not completely uninterested."
The reason behind his lack of enthusiasm for a second child is that his wife, Kim Da-ye, went through a difficult process. Gaining weight, experiencing gestational diabetes, and undergoing a cesarean section and recovery were tough. Having witnessed that process, Park Soo-hong has no choice but to hesitate. He stated, "I became a representative figure for overcoming infertility, but both my wife and I really had a hard time. My wife gained a lot of weight and dealt with gestational diabetes. Because the in vitro fertilization process required caution, I couldn’t allow my wife to move much, and I made sure she ate six meals a day."
Park Soo-hong, who deeply feels the significance of 'Our Baby,' said, "While my wife received various help, I wish I had encountered 'Our Baby Has Been Born' a bit sooner. My wife underwent a cesarean section, and if I had met this program earlier, I would have understood various childbirth methods and how to care for her better. I’m very grateful to the doctors who assisted my wife's delivery, and I still visit them. Given the issues like gestational diabetes, I feel a lot of guilt and self-blame towards my wife, and I think this program is necessary for husbands like me."
"Through 'Our Baby,' witnessing the sacrifices made by mothers to give birth compels me to think, 'My wife underwent that difficult process to give birth.' I haven’t directly given birth, but because my wife endured a hard process to have the child resulting from our love, I feel the need to do better." Park Soo-hong added, "This program sends a significant message to husbands. There were discussions about whether a woman should be the MC to empathize with mothers, but the guests who appear convey their deep empathy and share their experiences. Since the childbirth scenes are shown authentically, male viewers will likely be shocked. There used to be sayings among the elders that men shouldn’t enter the delivery room or even hold their hands, but that’s really irresponsible. Children aren’t born alone; it’s the fruit of a couple’s love, so how can only the mother go into the operating room and bear that pain and remember that process?" He continued, "In the case of cesarean sections, the process of opening up and closing is extremely challenging. Although they receive pain relief injections, some mothers refuse them, fearing it may affect the child, enduring the pain completely. Husbands will wait anxiously outside, but they often don’t know those detailed processes. 'Our Baby Has Been Born' genuinely showcases that process. It’s a living documentary that conveys the joys and sorrows more realistically than any documentary. In that sense, this program must resonate with everyone in life."
Park Soo-hong, who has taken part in many programs addressing social issues, hopes 'Our Baby' will serve as a starting point to resolve the low birth rate problem. He noted, "Throughout my more than 30 years of activity, I have participated in numerous programs that address social issues. With 'Exclamation Point' and 'Asia! Asia!', laws were even created to legalize illegal foreign workers. 'Our Baby Has Been Born' is truly a program essential for this era."
Park Soo-hong's sentiments are reflected throughout the program. Notably, a twin mother expressed frustration over the difficulties in obtaining fetal insurance, forming a sense of empathy. Park Soo-hong stated, "We could discuss institutional shortcomings. I believe we need systems that genuinely assist families giving birth. If both the wife and husband in a family with multiple births are nurses, they must work to care for the children. Government support has its limits, and without dual-income households, care is impossible, so we need a system that provides for that. Although I am not an expert, in conversations on the show, I suggested that if grandparents could also take parental leave, it might help dual-income families with parenting. No matter how much the government encourages us to have children, who will plan for multiple births without realistic institutional improvements?" He added, "Furthermore, since having triplets or twins involves risks, it’s difficult to get fetal insurance. Some parents take risks to give birth, while others give up for practical reasons. If precedents remain, they could have future implications. Therefore, in order to overcome the low birth rate, I believe all sectors of society must listen to voices and improve the system."
Park Soo-hong expressed his hope that 'Our Baby' will also serve as a starting point to resolve the increasing conflicts in today's society. He said, "Not just because of the title of low birth rate, but the current society faces intensified conflicts involving gender issues, division, and hatred. I believe the value of life can embrace such conflicts. Each individual is so precious, and witnessing the moment life is born, seeing the parental preparation, and observing the difficult circumstances leading to a child's birth can be the starting point for resolving conflicts." He added, "The character 人 (person) appears to be leaning against each other, which seems to represent humanity. Upon birth, one must rely on their parents, and to become more complete, one leans on and collaborates with others. Hence, we need a program like 'Our Baby Has Been Born.' It’s not 'My baby has been born,' but 'Our baby has been born,' where 'we' is essential."
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