From Comedy to Fatherhood: Korean Stars Share Heartfelt 'Dad's Youth' Stories on Radio Star

MBC's variety show 'Radio Star' featured a special episode titled 'Rich Dad in Heart, Poor Dad in Body,' sparking warm reactions from viewers. Comedian Kim Soo-yong, actors Im Hyeong-jun and Shim Hyeong-tak, and real estate expert Kim In-man appeared, openly sharing their parenting experiences and life stories, delivering both laughter and touching moments.

The broadcast achieved a 3.5% viewership rating nationwide according to Nielsen Korea, securing the top spot in its Wednesday time slot. It also ranked first in the 2049 viewer demographic, proving the show's strong buzz. The highest-rated minute, at 4.3%, featured Kim Soo-yong expressing his determination to become more famous for his daughter's sake, resonating with the audience.

Comedian Kim Soo-yong discussed his unique 'subtle humor' philosophy, his communication style with his daughter, and his honest desire to gain more fame for her. He also candidly revealed his experiences with hair transplants and eyebrow tattooing, adding to his relatable charm. He shared an anecdote about missing out on multi-billion won opportunities in the past, emphasizing that his personal pace was more important than financial gain.

Actor Im Hyeong-jun vividly recounted a month of exclusively taking care of his child while his wife focused on opening her second pilates studio. He confessed to suffering from back and neck disc pain due to playing with his child and humorously recalled a breakup crisis during his dating years due to his introverted personality, which paradoxically led to their current marriage. He also openly shared behind-the-scenes stories of his casting in the movie 'The Outlaws' and his disappointment at not becoming a regular in the series.

Actor Shim Hyeong-tak revealed the challenges of raising his child together with his wife, without the help of postpartum care workers or babysitters. He caused bursts of laughter in the studio by sharing his experience of getting nosebleeds from sleepless nights of childcare and touched upon cultural differences in parenting between Korea and Japan. He also expressed his wish to have more than three children, aiming for a large family.

Real estate expert Kim In-man, calling himself the 'Im Young-woong of Real Estate,' captivated the studio with his direct communication style, dissecting the flaws in the real estate market. He offered practical investment advice, pointing out the illogical aspects of apartment pricing. His blunt questions to Shim Hyeong-tak and witty responses added to the entertainment, while still providing valuable information to viewers.

Meanwhile, the upcoming episode of 'Radio Star' is set to feature Jung Bo-seok, Lee Seok-hoon, Ong Seong-wu, and Woojin in a special titled 'Guilty Human Collection.ZIP,' promising further engaging conversations.

Kim Soo-yong debuted as a comedian through MBC in 1990 and gained popularity with shows like 'Kim Soo-yong's Cheesy Comedy.' His unique comedic style, known as 'subtle humor,' has been widely beloved. Recently, he has garnered public affection through episodes with his daughter and candid sharing of his daily life.