Parent-Children’s Dynamic in The Return of Superman
The Return of Superman, or also known as Superman Is Back, is a South Korean reality-variety show that airs on KBS2. The Return of Superman is one of the two segments (the other segment is 1 Night 2 Days) of the Happy Sunday series. The original 3 episodes pilot aired as a “Chuseok” holiday special from September 19th till September 21st of 2013, starring Lee Hwi-jae, Choo Sung-hoon, and Jang Hyun-sung. The show is narrated by actress Yoo Ho-jeong and also includes entertainer Lee Hyun-woo and his two sons.
On October 17th, 2013, KBS announced that The Return of Superman will officially become part of the Happy Sunday lineup, starting on November 3rd, 2013. The show replaced Star Family Show Mamma Mia, which was moved to Wednesday nights.
Find Out More About The Return of Superman
Concept
Celebrity dads are left to care of their kids alone for 48 hours without the help of anyone, while their wives leave the home to enjoy some relaxing time off. The wives are shown leaving the home before the 48 hours begins and come back to greet their family once the 48 hours have ended. During the 48 hours, the dads and children are either doing a task the wives have written out for the dads to complete, or the dads are exploring new activities with their kids. Occasionally, celebrity friends of the dads will stop by to interact with the kids.
The show is filmed with set up cameras and cameramen hiding in tents and playhouses in each of the celebrities’ actual homes. Family and friends of the celebrity dads will occasionally show up in some episodes. In each episode, as the show moves from one family to the next, a brief narration by the narrator is given to introduce the next segment of the episode.
During each individual family segment, the parents (husband and wife), with the exception of Ju-nu, Jun-seo, and Ha-ru, who were old enough to answer questions when they started the show, would give a talking head interview while being asked questions by the shows PD’s (producers) about the current situation being aired.
The Creator’s
This program was created by Koen Media Corporation and produced by Kang Bong-gyu. The program also takes production locations in South Korea and Japan.
The Return Of Superman Cast Members
Current Cast
| Dad | Lee Dong-gook |
| Occupation | Professional Football (Soccer) player |
| Children |
|
| Mom | Lee Soo-jin |
| Occupation | Housewife/former Miss Korea contestant |
| Filming location |
Songdo, Incheon, South Korea |
| Duration | 2015 – Ep 89–Present |
| Dad | Sam Hammington |
| Occupation | Television Personality (Comedian) |
| Children |
|
| Mom | Jung Yu-mi |
| Occupation | Housewife |
| Filming location |
Eunpyung-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2016 – Ep 154–Present |
| Dad | Ko Ji-yong |
| Occupation | Businessman/Former Idol-Singer |
| Children | Son: Ko Seung-jae DOB: October 6th, 2014 |
| Mom | Heo Yang-lim |
| Occupation | Professor/Doctor |
| Filming location |
Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2017 – Ep 163–Present |
| Dad | Park Joo-ho |
| Occupation | Professional Football (Soccer) player |
| Children |
|
| Mom | Anna Park |
| Occupation | Housewife |
| Filming location |
Ulsan, South Korea |
| Duration | 2018 Ep 239 – Present |
| Dad | Jang Beom-june |
| Occupation | Singer/songwriter |
| Children |
|
| Mom | Song Seung-ah |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Filming location |
Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2019 Ep 268 – Present |
Former Cast
| Dad | Lee Hyun-woo |
| Occupation | Singer/Actor |
| Children |
|
| Mom | Yi Je-ni |
| Occupation | Museum Curator |
| Filming location |
Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2013 Chuseok Special Part 1–3 |
| Dad | Kim Jung-tae |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Children | Son: Kim Ji-hoo (Yakkung) DOB: February 2011 |
| Mom | Jeon Yeo-jin |
| Occupation | University Professor |
| Filming location |
Busan, South Korea |
| Duration | 2014 Ep 25–31 |
| Dad | Jang Hyun-sung |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Children |
|
| Mom | Yang Hui-jeong |
| Occupation | Bakery Owner |
| Filming location |
Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2013–2014 Chuseok Special Part 1–3 Ep 1–33 |
| Dad | Do Kyung-wan |
| Occupation | News Anchor |
| Children | Son: Do Yeon-woo (Kkom-kkomyi) DOB: June 13th, 2014 |
| Mom | Jang Yoon-jung |
| Occupation | Trot Singer |
| Filming location |
Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2014 Ep 32–39 |
| Dad | Tablo |
| Occupation | Rapper/Songwriter |
| Children | Daughter: Lee Ha-ru DOB: May 2nd, 2010 |
| Mom | Kang Hye-jung |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Filming location |
Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2013–2015 Ep 1–58 |
| Dad | Uhm Tae-woong |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Children | Daughter: Uhm Ji-on DOB: June 18th, 2013 |
| Mom | Yoon Hye-jin |
| Occupation | Ballerina |
| Filming location |
Opo-eup, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, South Korea |
| Duration | 2015 Ep 59–103 |
| Dad | Song Il-gook |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Children |
|
| Mom | Jung Seung-yeon |
| Occupation | High Court Judge |
| Filming location |
Songdo, Incheon, South Korea |
| Duration | 2014–2016 Ep 34–116, 156 |
| Dad | Choo Sung-hoon |
| Occupation | MMA Fighter |
| Children | Daughter: Choo Sa-rang DOB: October 24th, 2011 |
| Mom | Shiho Yano |
| Occupation | Model |
| Filming location |
Minato, Tokyo, Japan |
| Duration | 2013–2017 Chuseok Special Part 1–3 Ep 1–122, 155–160, 203-205 |
| Dad | Yang Dong-geun |
| Occupation | Actor/Hip-Hop artist |
| Children |
|
| Mom | Park Ga-ram |
| Occupation | Office Worker/Former Music Video Model |
| Filming location |
Samseong-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2016 Ep 127–Ep 162 |
| Dad | Oh Ji-ho |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Children | Daughter: Oh Seo-heun (Jibong-i.e.) DOB: December 30th, 2015 |
| Mom | Eun Bo-ah |
| Occupation | Fashion Designer |
| Filming location |
Seongsu-dong, Seongdong, Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2016 Ep 129–Ep 162 |
| Dad | Lee Beom-soo |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Children |
|
| Mom | Lee Yoon-jin |
| Occupation | English interpreter |
| Filming location |
Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2016-2017 Ep 117-182 |
| Dad | In Gyo-jin |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Children | Daughter: In Ha-eun DOB: December 4th, 2015 |
| Mom | So Yi-hyun |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Filming location |
Namyang-ju, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea |
| Duration | 2016, 2017 Ep 130-162 (regular) Ep 194 (special appearances) |
| Dad | Ki Tae-young |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Children | Daughter: Kim Ro-hee DOB: April 12th, 2015 |
| Mom | Eugene |
| Occupation | Singer/Actress |
| Filming location |
Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2016–2018 Ep 114–210 |
| Dad | Lee Hwi-jae |
| Occupation | Comedian/Host |
| Children |
|
| Mom | Moon Jeong-won |
| Occupation | Florist |
| Filming location |
|
| Duration | 2013–2018 Chuseok Special Part 1–3 Ep 1–220 |
| Dad | Bong Tae-gyu |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Children |
|
| Mom | Hasisi Park |
| Occupation | Photographer |
| Filming location |
Seoul, South Korea |
| Duration | 2018–2019 Ep. 221–259 |
