Caricature artist Jeong Eun-hye, who suffers from Down syndrome, and her husband Jo Young-nam showcased a deep, fateful love that empowers each other.
According to viewership ratings firm Nielsen Korea, the viewership rating for the SBS show 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny' (hereafter 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'), which aired on 4th, was 5.7%, a significant increase from the previous week, ranking first not only in its time slot but also in the entire Monday entertainment programs. The rating among viewers aged 2049 was 1.8%, placing it at the top overall among entertainment, drama, and educational programs aired that day, with a peak rating of 7.3%.
The broadcast, themed as a special for the 400th episode, began with the opening scene from the first episode of 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2,' aired in 2017. Following the differing opinions of MCs Kim Gu-ra and Seo Jang-hoon regarding newlyweds, footage of Lee Jae-myung and Kim Hye-kyung, who appeared as 'couple number one of the fateful couples,' was shown. Couples who have been featured in 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' for the past 8 years, including Choo Ja-hyun and Woo Hyo-kwang, In Gyo-jin and So Yi-hyun, and Kang Nam and Lee Sang-hwa, appeared one after another, delighting viewers.
'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' had previously attracted attention for its 400th episode, which would be prepared as a special broadcast for six weeks under the theme of 'love that empowers each other.' As the first couple to join, Jeong Eun-hye, a caricature artist and actress suffering from Down syndrome, and her husband Jo Young-nam revealed their 70-day newlywed life for the first time, grabbing the spotlight. The two met while working in public jobs for people with developmental disabilities. Jo Young-nam, who said he had seen Jeong Eun-hye through the drama 'Our Blues,' recalled their first meeting, saying, "Since you were right next to me, your face was beautiful. I made coffee and put it next to you to make it easier to see." Jeong Eun-hye confessed that she became open-hearted due to Jo Young-nam's meticulous care and bright charm.
The subsequent video attracted interest by showcasing the couple's sweet dating phase, proposal, and wedding scene. Particularly, their wedding held in May attracted attention as the family of 'Our Blues,' including writer Noh Hee-kyung and actors Kim Woo-bin, Han Ji-min, and Lee Jung-eun, were in attendance.
Jeong Eun-hye moved viewers to tears with a surprise letter to her mother. She expressed, "Thank you for giving birth to me. It must have been tough because of me, right? I'm sorry for being difficult," conveying gratitude and remorse simultaneously. She further said, "I will live happily with my brother for a long time," only to follow with a witty remark, saying, "I will earn money hard and give it to you," and then playfully concluded, asking, "We fought a lot, right? I'll step out for you."
Next, the daily life of newlyweds Jeong Eun-hye and Jo Young-nam was revealed. Jo Young-nam woke up alone early in the morning, prepared morning coffee for his wife, did house chores, and displayed sweet moments like morning kisses. However, unlike his earlier sweet demeanor, he did not respond much to his wife's gestures, which caused Jeong Eun-hye to feel disappointed. Jeong Eun-hye's mother also asked Jo Young-nam why he didn't talk, but at that time, he was unable to answer directly and later revealed he responded through a voice message. This was due to a lack of experience in everyday conversations after living in a facility for long periods. In the revealed actual voice message, Jo Young-nam expressed, "I need to express myself, but it doesn't come out well. I need to learn. I will treat my mother-in-law's daughter well." Upon learning this, Jeong Eun-hye warmly embraced her husband, saying, "I didn't know. I'll wait for you."
Jo Young-nam, born to parents with developmental disabilities, entered a facility with his mother after his father and grandparents who cared for the family passed away. Jeong Eun-hye's mother shared, "On the day of the wedding, Young-nam's mother said, 'I never cried while raising him.' A couple with developmental disabilities is living very hard, but they gave birth to a beautiful child. It was such a beautiful thing," moving the audience. She went on to say that Young-nam's brightness comes from the love of his parents, reflecting on the familial love that made Jo Young-nam who he is today.
Having transitioned from a facility to living with a family after marriage, Jo Young-nam expressed, "I'm happy to have a family." When asked what 'love' was, he replied, "It feels bright and good. Since it's family, I feel like I'm being loved." Jeong Eun-hye responded, "It's a gift for me when he comes. When I see him smile brightly, it feels warm." She added, "If my brother is not here, I can't breathe. If my brother is here, I can breathe," emphasizing their deep love that keeps them alive.
[Photo] 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
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