Shim Hyung-tak and his son Haru, who made their first appearance on ‘Superman Returns’, captivated online aunts and uncles with their incredible presence.
The 583rd episode of KBS2’s ‘Superman Returns’ (directed by Kim Young-min, hereafter ‘Superman’) aired on the 23rd, titled ‘Loving More Every Day’, featuring 3 MCs Park Soo-hong, Choi Ji-woo, and Ahn Young-mi alongside Superman Shim Hyung-tak. On this day, the father-son duo of Shim Hyung-tak and Haru made their debut and shared their daily lives. The nationwide viewership rating was 3.7%, gaining momentum in ratings. (According to Nielsen Korea)
“As a 48-year-old late-blooming dad,” Shim Hyung-tak said, “I have a lot of wounds. I was hurt by my family and it was so hard that I felt like I could die. When I got married, my family didn’t come. I was alone. No one came,” he shared, adding, “My wife Saya is the person who helped me breathe and get back on my feet,” revealing his love story with his Japanese wife Saya. He especially expressed, “She gave me the gift of Haru, who has become the reason for my life,” showcasing his son Haru, who is 164 days old, and evoking admiration.
Haru, a visual genius who resembles both his mom and dad, radiated presence. With a mane of hair like a lion's mane, an angelic smile, and a chubby back, he stole hearts, achieving 9.9 kg at 6 months old, proving he is a giant baby among the ‘Superman’ kids, ranking in the top 1%. Choi Ji-woo exclaimed, “He’s so cute and chubby. He looks like a sausage, so adorable!”
Moreover, Haru, dressed in an orange Goku outfit, transformed into a strong presence as he embodied the character. With a look that seemed to have jumped out of a cartoon and a gentle smile, he showcased the prowess of a visual genius. Ahn Young-mi remarked, “He’s like a human figure,” expressing her admiration for Haru’s unreal cuteness, while Park Soo-hong acknowledged Haru’s charm, saying, “I think many people will want to capture this moment.”
The extreme parenting of the 48-year-old late-blooming dad brought laughter. From wearing glasses to overcome presbyopia while looking at his son Haru to pouring nutritional supplements into his mouth, Shim Hyung-tak’s unique efforts drew attention. He revealed, “I don’t have time to eat because of parenting,” admitting he was on a one meal a day plan, cooking ramen and jjajangmyeon simultaneously for a stormy feast. His vigilance during the meal, worried that Haru might wake up, reminded viewers of a meerkat, causing bursts of laughter.
‘Geek dad’ Shim Hyung-tak also summoned special items for parenting. He presented a 1 million won transforming robot, which he had cherished and collected, as a toy for Haru. Shim Hyung-tak expressed, “I used to play with it alone, but now I can play with Haru, and I’m so happy.” However, when the robot transformed, Haru exclaimed, “Uwaang!” in fear, and Shim Hyung-tak comforted him, saying, “I’m glad you’re not interested in the toy, Haru,” revealing his true feelings and eliciting laughter.
While shopping for baby food ingredients at the mart, Shim Hyung-tak showcased his geek dad side. He revealed that his collection of figures accumulated over 20 years is worth about 100 million to 200 million won, and he couldn’t take his eyes off the claw machine, even making rounds in the toy section, which brought smiles. He reminisced about a time before marriage when he saw a child and a dad enjoying themselves in front of an arcade machine, saying, “It was so nice to see them enjoying what they love together. I fulfilled that dream today,” confessing his heartfelt emotions.
Shim Hyung-tak expressed his deep affection for his family, including Saya, Haru, and their pet dog Kimbap. Although he was hurt by his family in the past, he calmly stated that he was able to start anew thanks to his loving wife Saya and son Haru. Park Soo-hong, moved by Shim Hyung-tak’s demeanor, said, “You did so well,” offering comfort and deep empathy. Shim Hyung-tak declared, “My family is a bloodline I never want to lose again,” expressing his desire to be a strong dad and a reliable Superman for Haru, evoking a sense of emotion.
Kim Jun-ho’s son, 26-month-old Jung-woo, mastered a beef eating show, showcasing the dignity of a top-tier food enthusiast. He conquered king crab, pig’s trotters, and braised oxtail, dominating the mukbang scene, and while dozing off, he created another legendary mukbang video with his beef-eating skills. His struggle against drowsiness while eating meat captured attention. Especially, Jung-woo’s chubby cheeks and his adorable munching mouth reached peak cuteness.
Additionally, Jung-woo distinguished the taste of meat by parts, rising to the status of a taste genius. With his eyes closed, he put the meat in his mouth and exclaimed, “Mmm~,” savoring the flavor and bringing laughter. He identified shrimp meat just by taste and expressed, “It’s fun,” showcasing the attitude of a true gourmet, bursting with excessive cuteness. Furthermore, Jung-woo perfectly completed his first errand by saying, “Jung-woo found shrimp meat in the fridge over there,” making online aunts and uncles burst into laughter.
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
