'United Fathers' to show different cultural parenting styles

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Sun, October 1, 2023 | 17:33

Shows & Dramas

'United Fathers' to show different cultural parenting styles

Posted : 2022-08-26 16:12

Updated : 2022-08-31 13:40

Cast members of MBC's reality show, "United Fathers" ― from left, Alberto Mondi, Kim Na-young, Jang Yoon-jeong, In Gyo-jin, producer Lim Chan, and cast member Jiao Ji-ing ― pose during an online press conference for the show, Thursday. Courtesy of MBC

By Lee Gyu-lee

MBC's new reality show "United Fathers," which debuted as a two-part pilot show in June, has earned a regular slot, set to kick off on Sunday.

The reality show, hosted by singer Jang Yoon-jeong, actor In Gyo-jin and TV personality Kim Na-young, follows the parenthood of expats living in Korea.

The show will invite fathers from six different countries ― Italy, China, India, Azerbaijan, the U.K., and South Africa ― to share their parenting styles while discussing the cultural differences and practical childcare skills with other cast members and hosts.

"We've made a unique, global reality show. It's very interesting and refreshing, so I feel that (viewers) will be interested and empathize with it a lot," Kim Ku-san, the head of the network's entertainment division, said during an online press conference for the show, Thursday.

The show's producer, Lim Chan, revealed that it was created based on his own experience of raising a child abroad.

"My wife had to go abroad to work, so I have the experience of raising my 24-month child for a year in Paris until he turned three. And that was very difficult for me … but then there were a lot of parents in France who seem to do fine with even two or three kids," he said.

"Interacting with other parents at daycare, I came to wonder 'what makes that family different?' and then it was expanded to 'what's different about this country?' And I became curious about other fathers' stories."

The producer noted that his personal experience was the reason why he chose to show parenthood from a father's perspective.

"Moms, most of the time, usually have a prepared mindset for parenthood. But in many cases, dads jump into parenting without being prepared, and a lot of things would be unfamiliar and turn into struggles. So I thought it could draw empathy from viewers," he said.

The show's host, Jang, who is a mother of two children herself, said that her role in the show is to share the Korean parent's perspectives to compare the differences.

"Most of (the cast members) are foreigners married to Korean women. So I can speak from the wife's perspective. As a Korean mom, I would share my story and also give opposing views to those of the dads. It surprised me how much we have to discuss and share," she said.

Jang expressed that she had learned a lot from seeing different parenting styles of different cultures.

"Parenting is not about right or wrong. But as I raise my children, I would always face moments to make decisions and think about how I should raise them," Jang said.

"And as I see the parenting styles of the dads from different countries, there were a lot of moments I thought that was the approach which I wanted to take. So I'm getting a lot of hints from seeing other families' styles."

"United Fathers" airs on Sundays at 9:10 p.m.

gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr