'Woori Agi' vividly captures more diverse childbirth phenomena.
On the afternoon of the 19th, in the TV Chosun studio in Gasan-dong, Geumcheon-gu, the launch ceremony of the TV Chosun entertainment program 'Our Baby Has Arrived' was held. The ceremony was attended by Park Soo-hong, Kim Jong-min, Sayuri, Son Min-soo, and CP Lee Seung-hoon.
'Our Baby Has Arrived' is the first domestic variety show that shares the emotional moments of the noble childbirth journey. After its first broadcast as a six-part series in May, it won the award for 'Good Program of the Month' in May 2025 and confirmed its regular scheduling, drawing attention.
Park Soo-hong, who has been with the program since the pilot, received a certificate of appreciation from the production team on this day. He said, "I am filled with emotion. These days, I am more active as Jaee's dad. Since Jaee's mom got busier, I have been sharing childcare. Because of this program, I have had less time to take care of Jaee while watching the birth of new life." Nonetheless, he added, "I want to say that I have been a bit busy because I have been doing a program that conveys the same emotion and blessing of the moment I met you to many people. I am proud as a dad. I am grateful for the certificate that allows me to brag that I have participated in a program that helps society by sharing many blessed moments of birth. Thank you to CP, and I appreciate you making it a regular program. I dedicate this honor to the production team who have been sleepless, editing, casting, and running around."
CP Lee Seung-hoon noted about the regular transition, "When we started as a pilot, we wanted to create a show to congratulate and support the moment of birth. As we progressed, we addressed the stories of truly diverse mothers, families, and individuals in various situations. Even the production team gained more knowledge about childbirth. We learned about human anatomy and the mysteries of the body. Reflecting on our return to a new regular season, I thought that when a child is born while filming, we inevitably hear the stories of the parents. The history of mothers and fathers is not the same for everyone. The reasons for having children will differ, and there will be changes as a child is born within diverse circumstances. In that regard, the key difference between the pilot and the regular is that the story will be further strengthened," and added, "I think it will become richer in terms of storytelling."
Now that it has returned as a regular program, Park Soo-hong has been joined by Kim Jong-min, Son Min-soo, and Sayuri as new childbirth correspondents. As the Director General of the childbirth correspondents, Park Soo-hong said, "It's likely that operating a five-minute standby is the first of its kind in the country. It's about experiencing the raw, heartfelt moment together, so I hope everyone will participate and do their best."
Sayuri, who is raising her son Zen as a 'voluntary single mother,' said, "I wanted to be on such a program. I might be the only mother here. I gave birth during COVID-19 and delivered in a hospital alone without a husband, and the emotions I felt then are still vividly remembered like in slow motion. Many mothers giving birth, as well as fathers, will vividly remember the day of childbirth even after 10, 20, or 30 years. Each person's story is different, and every family has a unique history. It may seem like the same content, but it is fresh each time and very moving, so I want to hear their stories, which is why I am grateful to participate and want to work hard."
'Expected twin dad' Son Min-soo, who is about to welcome his wife Lim Ra-ra's childbirth in November, said, "When I first watched Season 1, it felt so cinematic. Since my wife is about to give birth, I could relate a lot, and I wanted to be on such a program, even if it meant paying for it. But when I received the casting call, I was so happy, and while watching Season 1, I thought my senior Park Soo-hong looked so tired. I wanted to alleviate some of that burden. Today, I wore clothes that I could get wrinkled in alone. I arrived with the determination to carry the baby heavily on my left shoulder and care for the other mothers. I will work hard to approach this job with that mindset."
When asked what preparations he is making for his wife's childbirth, he said, "I want to prepare well, so I earned a babysitting certification. I am also preparing for a postnatal caregiver certification. When I went to class, I was the only male and the rest were women. Many were older mothers and women whose daughters were pregnant. They even talked about 'Woori Agi' there, so I was very happy. Recently, I also visited Park Soo-hong's house, where he is an excellent cook, and he quickly prepared baby egg stew. He cleaned everything at once. I thought he had four arms. After seeing that, I felt I should work harder, so I think I should pursue a Korean food chef certification. That way, I can make baby food. I am getting ready," he revealed, surprising everyone.
Kim Jong-min, who recently married in April and is currently preparing for his second child, said, "Since I am a man, I never really had a strong empathy for what mothers have experienced. So after getting married, my wife kept talking about having a child and told me to watch 'Woori Agi.' So I was thinking about that, and when I got the casting call, I thought I should go and learn more. I thought that seeing it firsthand might help me understand better, and I came to learn a lot."
When asked about his wife's reaction to his appearance on 'Woori Agi,' he said, "If I had some knowledge, it wouldn't be a problem, but I was completely ignorant. So my wife was very anxious. In a rush, when the casting for 'Woori Agi' came in, she told me that I had to go see everything and experience it. She said it was important for me to understand deeply what I felt. When I started planning for the second child, I began watching 'Woori Agi,' and it felt overwhelming that I needed to have a second child. Did I really have to go through this much pain? I had no way of knowing the suffering. Watching this made me feel like it was another world. I was thinking about having up to two children. I thought it would be easy, but I realized I underestimated it. Watching this, I am trying to find ways to ensure I can have a healthy delivery," adding, "Right now, I am quitting drinking and exercising to prepare for the second child."
Park Soo-hong, who struggled alone as a five-minute standby in the pilot, revealed that he couldn't sleep that day and took sleeping pills. He stated, "For a while during 'Woori Agi,' I thought like this. Since I'm Jaee's dad, my wife is also working hard and suffering, so I should work hard because I've been given a good program. Honestly, I could have made excuses and said I couldn't make the schedule. However, if you participate, you'll understand, as listening to the stories of the couples who are the main characters shows that every home has its story and difficulties. Hearing such stories made it impossible not to go and support during childbirth. It was a program that resonated that much with me. In over 30 years of broadcasting, I've experienced many programs, but this was the first where I felt a strong sense of responsibility, requiring me to take sleeping pills because I thought, 'I need to sleep to go out for filming tomorrow.'"
He continued, "It is a program I care about a lot, and seeing the moments of birth again and blessing them, being present during the suffering of mothers as they struggle to bring a life into the world, and watching the baby enter the incubator—I feel overwhelmed when I hear that both mother and baby are safe. I truly feel the emotion of when my child was born in their expressions. I feel a sense of responsibility and fulfillment. I wanted to make meaningful broadcasting, and now that it's a regular program, I am happier than anyone. I feel I can be a proud dad that I can boast about to my child and wife, and I plan to work hard."
When asked about the reasons behind the composition of the members, CP Lee Seung-hoon replied, "They are all different individuals. Park Soo-hong has been the Director General from the beginning, so there's no need to say much. Kim Jong-min is also a newlywed who just got married, and although we do not know how things will turn out, he mentioned that he is thinking about having a child. Son Min-soo is already a prospective dad expecting a childbirth in November. Sayuri likely has many unique stories that only she can tell. I think they are correspondents who can share diverse stories," and added, "Park Soo-hong already filmed six episodes during the pilot, and he appeared in 18 episodes. At that time, he didn't know when or how a baby would arrive, so he was always on standby. I thought that if we could alleviate that burden by having correspondents join in, we could improve the program and asked for their active participation."
In particular, men generally lack knowledge about childbirth and may find it difficult to empathize. When asked about the reasons for selecting newlywed correspondents and expectant fathers, CP Lee Seung-hoon said, "We plan to continue recruiting correspondents, so there could be more. Those who have had children could also join as correspondents. I think they currently are the people who have the necessary information, and more will join in the future. This doesn't mean that they will leave, as we plan to create a long-term program."
Park Soo-hong said, "Just as everyone is born and living in this moment, many entertainers want to see and participate in these emotional moments, so I ask for their support." Sayuri added, "I read an article stating that there has been an increase in marriages between Japanese women and Korean men. It would be great to see Japanese mothers and single mothers joining, and various people participating."
On the other hand, when CP Lee Seung-hoon was asked if there are institutional issues he wants to address with this regular program, he said, "I do have plans. As we cover the program, we discover parts where various cases fall outside the law and do not receive benefits. I am someone who cannot stay quiet, and neither can Park Soo-hong. Even then, when Park Soo-hong spoke, it had a significant impact. I believe that if we gradually raise our voices, things will improve."
Park Soo-hong also admitted, "Recently, due to low birth rates, it's true that those giving birth should receive social protection; however, the welfare and benefit aspects are still inadequate. As I work on this program, I am learning a lot, and if possible, I would like to voice concerns together with the production team. I have never gone out to speak, but now is the time to address the public institutions like the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Those who give birth, especially parents of multiple children, should receive insurance benefits from the country. The fact that they courageously gave birth while facing many difficulties, and that the nation excludes them from insurance, is it truly the right direction? I think this is a part that needs serious discussion and improvement."
He explained, "The people appearing want to make their childbirth moments public; this may seem like a memory they wish to keep to themselves. But many people participated and shared their experiences later on. After we became a regular program, I've felt that when I meet them and ask, 'How did you decide to participate?' they all say they want to leave this memory vividly behind. Originally, during childbirth, husbands cannot enter, especially during cesarean sections. I believe this to be the biggest reason for their participation. Honestly, what most participants hope is, if we encourage them to have multiple children, they want to ensure that each child is cared for and not forced to abort due to health risks. This is because mothers sacrifice themselves to protect their children and deliver them, and afterwards, the government and institutions should support them through insurance. However, the reality is that it can often feel frustrating for courageous parents, and they want to share those feelings."
Park Soo-hong remarked, "I, who have never given birth, did not know either. But by watching our program, I perceive that there are different ways to meet a newborn—a reflection of how diverse and varied each experience can be. It is high time we move beyond husbands passively greeting with a simple 'good job.' This program will showcase the vivid realities of childbirth that anyone can reach, without having to search for information."
Meanwhile, the TV Chosun program 'Our Baby Has Arrived,' which has returned to regular programming, is set to air its first broadcast in mid-September.
[Photo] TV Chosun
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