Shim Hyung-tak and his son Haru, who made their first appearance on KBS2 'The return of Superman,' captivated online aunts and uncles with their remarkable presence.
On the broadcast aired on 23rd (Wednesday), KBS2 2TV 'The return of Superman' (directed by Kim Young-min, hereinafter 'Superman') episode 583 was titled 'I love you more and more every day,' featuring three MCs Park Soo-hong, Choi Ji-woo, and Ahn Young-mi alongside Superman Shim Hyung-tak. In this episode, the father-son duo of Shim Hyung-tak and Haru made their first appearance, focusing attention on their daily lives. Additionally, 'Superman' recorded a nationwide rating of 3.7%, according to Nielsen Korea.
Shim Hyung-tak, the 'late bloomer dad at 48,' remarked that "my wife Saya is the person who helped me breathe and stand up again," sharing his love story with his Japanese wife Saya. He especially noted that "she gave me the gift of Haru, who has become the reason for my life," revealing his son Haru, who was 164 days old, eliciting admiration. Haru showcased an extraordinary presence with visual talents, resembling both his mother and father. His thick hair, reminiscent of a lion’s mane, angelic smile, and chubby backside captured hearts, and at 6 months old, he achieved 9.9 kg, proving to be a giant baby in the top 1% of 'Superman' kids. Choi Ji-woo remarked, "He’s so cute and chubby. Like a sausage, he’s adorably cute!"
Moreover, Haru, wearing an orange SONOKONG costume, transformed into a powerful figure, exuding a strong presence. Haru showcased a visual talent that looked like he had stepped out of a cartoon, flaunting his innocent smile. Ahn Young-mi exclaimed, "He’s a human figure skater," bursting into admiration for Haru’s unreal cuteness, while Park Soo-hong acknowledged Haru's charm, stating, "I think many people will be capturing this moment."
On another note, the extreme parenting of the late bloomer dad at 48 elicited laughter. From wearing glasses to overcome presbyopia while watching his son Haru, to his efforts to take health supplements, Shim Hyung-tak's extraordinary efforts drew attention. Particularly, he disclosed that due to parenting, he could only manage one meal a day, revealing he was boiling ramen and black bean noodles simultaneously for an intense feast. Throughout the meal, he remained on high alert to prevent Haru from waking up, his demeanor reminiscent of a meerkat, causing fits of laughter.
Shim Hyung-tak, the 'enthusiast dad,' caught attention by bringing out special items for parenting. He gifted his son Haru a transforming robot worth 1 million won, which he had treasured and collected. Shim Hyung-tak expressed, "I used to play with it alone, but now I can play with Haru, and it makes me so happy." However, when the robot transformed, Haru was scared, exclaiming, "Uwaah!" Shim Hyung-tak comforted him, admitting, "I’m glad you’re not interested in the toy, it makes dad happy," bringing laughter.
Shim Hyung-tak showcased his enthusiast dad persona even while shopping for baby food at the mart. He revealed that he had collected figures worth around 100 million won over 20 years, unable to take his eyes off the gumball machine, and after browsing the toy section, he brought smiles. He reminisced about seeing a father and child enjoying themselves in front of a gaming device before marriage, saying, "It was so nice to share something you love. I fulfilled that dream today," evoking heartfelt emotions.
Additionally, Shim Hyung-tak expressed deep affection for his family, including Saya, Haru, and their pet dog Kimbap. He calmly shared that although he had been hurt by family in the past, his loving wife Saya and son Haru allowed him to start anew, leading Park Soo-hong to empathize deeply, saying, "You did very well," while comforting him, evoking more heartfelt emotions. Shim Hyung-tak expressed, "My family is a bloodline I never want to lose again," and expressed his desire to be a strong dad by saying, "I want to be a dependable Superman for Haru,” stirring sentiment.
Earlier on the show, he disclosed, "There was not a single member of my bloodline at the wedding. I was alone. I suffered too much hurt from my family, it felt like I was dying."
In the past, Shim Hyung-tak was embroiled in a civil lawsuit due to financial issues with his mother. In an interview, he confessed that he experienced mental anguish to the point of hearing voices, saying, "I begged my mother to save me." Fortunately, the court declared him not guilty, but recalling that time, he stated, "My mother’s issues were the most painful part of my life."
On the same broadcast, Kim Jun-ho's son, 26-month-old Jung-woo, showcased his prowess in eating Hanwoo beef. Dominating the mukbang scene by conquering king crab, pig's trotters, and stew made from cow tails, Jung-woo created yet another legendary mukbang video with his unique skill of eating Hanwoo beef while dozing off. His struggle against sleep while eating meat captured attention, especially his chubby cheeks and adorably moving mouth, which reached an apex of cuteness.
Furthermore, Jung-woo distinguished the flavors of meat by parts, elevating himself to the status of a taste genius. He closed his eyes as he put the meat in his mouth, savoring it with an exaggerated, "Mmm~," which induced laughter. Jung-woo identified shrimp meat by taste alone, providing distinct tasting commentary by saying, "It’s fun," showcasing a true gourmand's attitude that exceeded the limits of cuteness. Additionally, Jung-woo perfectly completed his first errand by saying, "Jung-woo found shrimp meat over there in the fridge," delighting online aunts and uncles.
After the broadcast, various SNS and communities were filled with reactions like, "The daily life of Shim Hyung-tak and Haru is so fun," "Haru really has a national treasure-level smile," "The true baby angel Shin Haru is so adorable," "Seeing Haru makes me want to have another baby," "Jung-woo is too cute when he jumps up immediately after saying something is delicious," "How can a baby express tastes so well and communicate so effectively," "Jung-woo now even runs errands, he’s grown up," and so on, expressing affectionate responses.
Meanwhile, 'Superman' received the 'President's Commendation' at the 14th 'Population Day' ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 11th.
[Photo] KBS 2TV
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