The KBS1 representative human documentary "Companionship" will celebrate its 500th special broadcast on April 5. Since its first broadcast on Jan. 3, 2015, "Companionship" has highlighted stories of neighbors in need around us and conveyed touching messages of warmth and sharing to viewers, marking its 10th anniversary.

Over the past 10 years, "Companionship" has shared the stories of over 480 families, demonstrating how a small interest can create a great miracle. It has provided many viewers with unforgettable emotional experiences, including winning the Broadcasting Deliberation Committee's program of the month award for episodes such as "Dad and the Clarinet" (46th episode), "Twelve-Year-Old Taeyeon of the Investigative Team in the Alley" (407th episode), and "I'm Sorry, and I Love You" (286th episode), which attracted the largest sponsorship, as well as receiving the 2023 Christian Culture Awards.

10th anniversary special, "The turtle boy Minseok's new semester" with Choi In-pyo and Shin Aera

In this 500th special episode, actor Choi In-pyo and Shin Aera will make a special appearance. The couple has long been at the forefront of various sharing activities and volunteer work, spreading a positive influence as a representative star couple.

The two have consistently continued donating and volunteering for disadvantaged neighbors and children, particularly focusing on adoption and child welfare, and have been generous in supporting children in need both domestically and internationally. They have improved awareness of adoption by directly practicing it and have helped adopted children and single-parent families through various organizations. As prominent "angels of donation" in the entertainment industry, the couple will visit case families for the 500th episode of "Companionship." The protagonists they meet include "turtle boy" Minseok (age 12) and his grandmother (age 75), who are struggling to live in a grandparent-grandchild household.

Minseok, who lives in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, takes longer than others for everyday actions such as eating, bathing, and changing clothes. It takes him an hour to eat and over an hour to bathe, but Minseok does not give up and continues to move toward the world at his own pace. However, his elderly grandmother is increasingly having health issues, making it difficult for her to care for her grandson. Despite their tight living circumstances, she holds onto her hope of protecting Minseok.

After hearing this story, Choi In-pyo and Shin Aera visited Minseok's home and gifted them a warm day. The couple waited for trains at the station with Minseok, who loves trains, and shared meaningful time by teaching him exercises he can do himself. They also listened to the grandmother's story and offered her warm comfort. Moreover, they served a warm meal with dishes they personally prepared and presented tailored gifts to Minseok, who dreams of becoming a car designer, providing their support.

After filming, Shin Aera said, "Many neighbors are still in situations where they cannot get up alone without someone holding their hand, and through the program 'Companionship,' I hope the situations of these marginalized neighbors can be known so we can hold hands together." Choi In-pyo also conveyed his thoughts, saying, "The world is not about living alone but about walking together, and I hope we can live together in harmony."

The production team that filmed alongside conveyed, "We are grateful that the stories of ordinary yet special people we have encountered while preparing for the broadcast can resonate deeply with viewers." They also said, "I have deeply engraved in my heart that a small interest and touch can change someone's life, and I will strive to create broadcasts that convey the meaning of warm sharing and solidarity in the future."

Restoring hope in life through 'Companionship,' and the continuing miracles

The 500th special episode will also introduce the current conditions of families that have changed through 'Companionship.' Over the past 10 years, we will meet the current status of families that have received support through the broadcast and have overcome difficulties amid the warm attention of many viewers. Additionally, we will reevaluate how significant a social interest is in changing a family's future. Furthermore, we will deliver congratulatory messages from families who found hope in life through their appearances on 'Companionship,' along with celebratory messages from celebrities such as Choi Bool-am, Go Doo-shim, Lee Sun-hee, and Jung Haein, congratulating the 500th episode.

Over the past 10 years, 'Companionship' has looked into the lives of neighbors with a warm gaze and walked the path of creating hope together with viewers. Through this 500th special, Choi In-pyo and Shin Aera will directly demonstrate how a small interest can become a great miracle, once again reminding us of the value of sharing and solidarity.

The 500th special broadcast will air on April 5 (Saturday) at 6 p.m. on KBS1.

[Photo] Provided

[OSEN]