The representative couple variety program of Korea, SBS 'Same Bed, Different Dreams Season 2 – You are My Destiny' (hereinafter 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2') director Kang Hyung-sun shared his feelings about reaching 400 episodes.
'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' will celebrate its 400th episode on Aug. 4. Throughout its run, 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' has featured numerous destiny couples, from the 'No. 1 destiny couple' Lee Jae-myung and Kim Hye-kyung, to Son Ji-chang and Oh Yeon-soo who showed deep trust and affection as a long-standing couple, to Kang Nam and Lee Sang-hwa showcasing the freshness of newlyweds, and Jin Tae-hyun and Park Si-eun who touched hearts with their story of adopting their college-age daughter, to In Gyo-jin and So Yi-hyun, a couple considered a 'couple to aspire to' with their cheerful yet sweet demeanor.
The director Kang Hyung-sun noted, "Thanks to 90 pairs of destiny couples, we have established ourselves as the representative of couple variety programs for eight long years since 2017." He continued, "Looking back at the previous episodes, I feel overwhelming and proud that we have reached today's 400 episodes as a long-standing program."
Kang PD went on to say that the reason 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' has been able to receive love for a long time is due to the 'same bed, different dreams' of the couples who appear on the show. He explained, "Since two different people come together to form a family, they must adjust to many aspects of life, from small habits to ways of speaking and expressing themselves, to large matters like economic and educational perspectives. By honestly showcasing these aspects, it seems we gain great empathy from the viewers."
Earlier, 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' generated great anticipation by announcing that as part of its 400th episode celebration, it would feature a six-week special broadcast, showcasing not only legendary couples that viewers wanted to see again but also unprecedented new destiny couples. Kang PD stated, "Like the program's title suggests, there are countless 'same beds, different dreams' between couples, but despite that, they regard each other as 'my destiny' and live together under the name of family. In the process of two meeting and becoming one, it made me think, 'Aren't they all helping each other?' and we invited couples who best exemplify that for the 400th episode special."
The first guest for this special is Jeong Eun-hye, a caricaturist and actress who made 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 the show. In regard to this, Kang PD mentioned, "I believe you will see how the two are practicing 'love that helps each other,' and you will also feel the 'love of family' that goes beyond just the two of them."
Additionally, the couple In Gyo-jin and So Yi-hyun, who hold the record for the most appearances on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2,' also announced their comeback after about five years. Given that they were deeply loved during their previous appearances with the affectionate nickname 'In-so couple,' curiosity is growing about their daily life which will be revealed after a long time.
Furthermore, the couple Yang Hyun-min and Choi Cham-sarang, who underwent a significant turning point in their lives through 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2,' will also appear. When they participated in March, they revealed that they had undergone five rounds of in vitro fertilization over two years, but all attempts failed. The couple is now attempting the procedure again after a year and a half, and they are expected to share their journey to success in in vitro pregnancy for the first time, moving many hearts. This special will also feature unprecedented new destiny couples.
Meanwhile, 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' has maintained a high rating of 15.8% (based on Nielsen Korea metropolitan area), recording 76 consecutive weeks at the top of the time slot, and the total view count of its YouTube clips has exceeded 1.8 billion, showcasing the program's consistent love from viewers over the past eight years.
Below is a Q&A with Kang Hyung-sun PD
▶ Feelings about reaching 400 episodes
Over these eight long years since 2017, 90 pairs of destiny couples have joined us, which helped us establish 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 participated since 2017 have spent eight years with our program, and looking back at the previous episodes reminds me of how overwhelmingly proud I am that we have become a long-standing program that has reached its 400th episode.
▶ What do you think is the reason why it has been loved as the representative program of couple observation variety shows for a long time?
I think the 'same bed, different dreams' of the couples appearing is the key to a long-lasting popularity. Every couple has their own version of 'same bed, different dreams.' Since two different people come together and form a family, they have to adjust to many aspects of life, from small habits to ways of speaking and expressing themselves, to larger matters like economic and educational perspectives. By honestly showcasing these aspects, it seems that we gain great empathy from the viewers.
▶ If there are difficult points in couple observation variety shows compared to other variety programs, what do you think they are?
It is quite difficult to publicly share family stories and private matters, so it is not easy for the participants to reach that decision. The production team constantly worries about whether the stories of the couples who bravely join will be misinterpreted, and they go through a process of self-censorship before each broadcast. Those aspects make it more challenging compared to other variety programs.
▶ I think perspectives will vary depending on marital status or whether one has children. Have there been instances of differing opinions among studio guests or producers?
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 finding 'newlywed' status, Seo Jang-hoon, who observes participants from the perspective of a 'divorcee,' and Kim Suk, the matron of singles, along with Lee Ji-hye, Lee Hyun-yi, and Jo Woo-jong, who share the realistic aspects of married life candidly. As these MCs observe the couples, it is natural that they have different opinions and views. The production team lays the groundwork for observing couples as authentically as possible, receives diverse viewpoints from the MCs in the studio, and then balances it to complete the broadcast. By gathering various perspectives, it creates a space for healthy exchanges of opinions, allowing viewers to empathize from various angles.
▶ What have you prepared to celebrate the 400th episode?
In celebration of the 400th episode, we have planned a <400th episode special relay>. The overarching theme of the special relay is 'love that helps each other to live.' Over the course of eight years, we have discovered commonalities amidst the diverse appearances of couples. Much like the program's title implies, despite the numerous 'same bed, different dreams' they experience, couples regard each other as 'my destiny' and live together under the name of family. I believe that in the process of coming together and becoming one, every couple often thinks, 'Aren't we all helping each other?' and we have gathered the couples who can most clearly demonstrate that as the stars of the 400th episode special.
The star of that special is Jeong Eun-hye, a caricaturist and actress who played a twin sister role to Han Ji-min in the drama 'Our Blues.' Jeong Eun-hye, who has Down syndrome, married writer Jo Young-nam, whom she met while working in a job for individuals with developmental disabilities, back in May and is now living her newlywed life. You will be able to see how the two are practicing 'love that helps each other to live.' Furthermore, I believe you will also feel the 'love of family' that goes beyond the two of them.
Additionally, So Yi-hyun and In Gyo-jin, who hold the title of the 'most appearances on Same Bed, Different Dreams,' are scheduled to appear. Their 'same bed, different dreams' were numerous during their previous appearances, yet they garnered a lot of love for showing how they live together harmoniously. I thought they exemplified the theme of the 400th episode special as the 'representative couple of the same bed, different dreams' and have invited them back after five years. Moreover, the couple Yang Hyun-min and Choi Cham-sarang, who experienced a significant turning point in their lives through 'Same Bed, Different Dreams,' along with unprecedented new couples, will also be featured. We look forward to a lot of interest.
▶ Behind the scenes of recruiting the first guest, Jeong Eun-hye's couple
Before reaching out to recruit, the production team had many concerns. There would likely be various reactions, as with other couples, when we have them on the show, and I worried whether such responses would distress them. I questioned whether we could fully and accurately portray this couple. There was a unique way of producing that we had established, and I wondered if it would be okay to approach them in this manner. However, during our meeting with the couple, I realized that such concerns were perhaps mere figments of my imagination or misconceptions. Their love was incredibly pure and genuine, and it felt honorable to have them join our program. Additionally, the image of their family living together could be what our program truly aims to portray. I would like to thank Jeong Eun-hye for showcasing such delightful interactions with MCs like Kim Gu-ra, Seo Jang-hoon, and Kim Suk in the studio. We aim to convey their family's story entirely and kick off the special relay for the 400th episode well.
▶ A message to viewers who have supported us for 400 episodes
Thank you for your infinite love and attention over these eight years. As we consider the 400th episode a new starting point, we will showcase diverse destiny couples to ensure we can continue for another 10 years, 20 years, and beyond. In that sense, I would really love to have Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon, as well as Kim Yuna and Ko Woo-rim, as our destiny couples. 'Please give us at least one meeting with you! Please!'
[Photo] SBS, SNS
[OSEN]