Kang Hyung-seon, the PD of the representative couple variety show in Korea, ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams Season 2 – You Are My Destiny’ (hereafter ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2’), shared his thoughts on reaching the 400th episode.
SBS’s variety program ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2’ will celebrate its 400th episode on August 4. Over the years, ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2’ has featured numerous couples, from the ‘first destiny couple’ Lee Jae-myung and Kim Hye-kyung, who showed deep trust and affection, to Son Ji-chang and Oh Yeon-soo, who have been together for a long time, as well as the newlywed couple Kangnam and Lee Sang-hwa, and Jin Tae-hyun and Park Si-eun, who touched hearts by sharing their story of adopting a college daughter.
Director Kang Hyung-seon stated, “Thanks to 90 pairs of destiny couples over the long period of 8 years since 2017, we have established ourselves as the representative couple variety program.” He added, “Looking back at the previous episodes, I am overwhelmed and proud to realize that we have become a long-running program celebrating its 400th episode today.”
He continued by pointing out the ‘different dreams’ of the couples participating in ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2’ as the reason for its long-lasting popularity. Kang PD explained, “When two different people come together to form a single household, they have to adjust to many aspects, from small things like habits, speech, and expressions to larger issues like economic views and educational philosophies. By honestly showing these aspects, we seem to gain great empathy from the viewers.”
Previously, ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2’ announced a special six-week broadcast to celebrate its 400th episode, featuring legendary couples that viewers want to see again, as well as unprecedented new destiny couples, generating high expectations.
Kang PD revealed, “As the program title suggests, there are countless ‘different dreams’ between couples, yet they still regard each other as ‘my destiny’ and live together under the name of family. In the process of two becoming one, every couple seems to think, ‘Aren’t we saving each other?’ and we invited the destiny couple that can best showcase that aspect as the main feature of the 400th episode special.”
The first couple featured in this special is Jeong Eun-hye, a caricature artist and actress who left a deep impression as Han Ji-min's twin sister in the drama ‘Our Blues,’ who will reveal her newlywed life for the first time on air. Regarding this, Kang PD said, “I believe viewers will see how the two are practicing ‘a love that saves each other’ and also feel the ‘love of family’ that goes beyond the two of them.” This has heightened interest in the upcoming broadcast.
Additionally, the couple with the most appearances on ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2,’ In Gyo-jin and So Yi-hyun, also announced their comeback after about five years. As they gained immense love during their previous appearances with the nickname ‘Inso Couple,’ curiosity is building around their daily life, which will be revealed after a long time.
Moreover, the couple Yang Hyun-min and Choi Cham-rang, who experienced a significant turning point in their lives through ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2,’ will also appear. The couple, who revealed in March that they had undergone five unsuccessful IVF treatments over two years, will show their attempt at another treatment after a year and a half, receiving much support. After six years of marriage, the couple will share the process of successfully conceiving through IVF for the first time, promising to deliver an emotional experience. Additionally, this special will feature unprecedented new destiny couples.
Next is the Q&A with PD Kang Hyung-seon
▶ Thoughts on reaching the 400th episode
Thanks to 90 pairs of destiny couples who have been with us for a long time since 2017, we have established ourselves as the representative couple variety program. Looking back, Lee Jae-myung, who appeared as the mayor of Seongnam in the first episode, has now become the president. The couples who have appeared since 2017 have gone through eight years with our program, and reflecting on the previous episodes, I am overwhelmed and proud to realize that we have become a long-running program celebrating its 400th episode today.
▶ What do you think is the reason for the long-lasting love as the representative program of couple observation variety shows?
I believe the ‘different dreams’ of the couples participating is the secret to our long-lasting popularity. Every couple has their own different dreams. When two different people come together to form a single household, they have to adjust to many aspects, from small things like habits, speech, and expressions to larger issues like economic views and educational philosophies. By honestly showing these aspects, we seem to gain great empathy from the viewers.
▶ What are the challenges of couple observation variety shows compared to other variety shows?
It is certainly not easy for participants to open up about family stories and private lives. The production team constantly worries about whether the stories of the couples who bravely appear might be misinterpreted, and we go through a continuous process of self-censorship, contemplating until just before airing each episode. I think these aspects are what make it challenging compared to other variety shows.
▶ There might be different perspectives based on marital status or whether they have children; have there been differing opinions among the studio cast or production team?
The strength and characteristic of ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2’ is that there are MCs with different perspectives. Kim Gu-ra, who is living his second life after getting married, observes the participants from the perspective of a ‘divorcee,’ while Kim Sook, the matriarch of singles, and Lee Ji-hye, Lee Hyun-yi, and Jo Woo-jong share the realistic aspects of marriage without reservation. When MCs with different perspectives come together to observe couples, their viewpoints and opinions inevitably differ.
The production team sets the stage for couples to be observed as authentically as possible, listens to the various perspectives of the MCs in the studio, and balances those to complete the broadcast. Because diverse viewpoints come together to create a healthy exchange of opinions, viewers seem to empathize from multiple angles without leaning towards one side.
▶ What preparations have been made for the 400th episode?
We have planned a ‘400th episode special relay.’ The main theme of the special relay is ‘a love that saves each other.’ Over the eight years, we have discovered commonalities while showcasing various couples. As the program title suggests, there are countless ‘different dreams’ between couples, yet they still regard each other as ‘my destiny’ and live together under the name of family. In the process of two becoming one, every couple seems to think, ‘Aren’t we saving each other?’ and we invited the destiny couple that can best showcase that aspect as the main feature of the 400th episode special.
The main feature is Jeong Eun-hye, who played Han Ji-min's twin sister in the drama ‘Our Blues.’ The artist, who has Down syndrome, married writer Jo Young-nam, whom she met while working for jobs for people with developmental disabilities, in May and is currently enjoying her newlywed life. You will be able to see how the two are practicing ‘a love that saves each other.’ I believe you will also feel the ‘love of family’ that goes beyond the two of them.
Additionally, the couple So Yi-hyun and In Gyo-jin, who hold the title of ‘most appearances on Same Bed, Different Dreams,’ are scheduled to appear. During their previous appearances, they had many different dreams, yet they received great love for their ability to adjust and live together. I believe they are the ‘representative couple of different dreams’ that best reflects the theme of the 400th episode special, and I am excited to have them back after five years. Furthermore, the couple Yang Hyun-min and Choi Cham-rang, who experienced a significant turning point in their lives through ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2,’ and an unprecedented new couple will also be featured. Please look forward to it.
▶ Behind the scenes of casting the first couple, Jeong Eun-hye
Before trying to cast them, the production team had many internal discussions. We worried that there would be various reactions when we brought them on air, and we were concerned that those reactions might distress them. We also wondered if we could fully capture this couple. There was a certain methodology we had been using to produce the program, and I questioned whether it would be okay to approach them in this way.
However, during the meeting with the couple, I realized that those concerns were perhaps unfounded and might have been a prejudice. Their form of love was so pure and complete that it seemed precious, and I felt honored to be able to feature them in our program. Moreover, I thought that the family life they share might be the ultimate form that our program aims to capture.
I would like to thank Jeong Eun-hye for showing fantastic chemistry with MCs like Kim Gu-ra, Seo Jang-hoon, and Kim Sook when she came to the studio. We aim to fully convey this family’s story and kick off the 400th episode special relay successfully.
▶ A message to the viewers who have loved us for 400 episodes
Thank you for your infinite love and interest over the past eight years. With the 400th episode as a new starting point, we will continue to showcase more diverse destiny couples so that we can run for another 10, 20 years. In that sense, I would love to have Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon, as well as Kim Yuna and Go Woo-rim, as destiny couples. “Please have a meeting with us just once! Please!”
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
