On April 26, 2026, viewers of TV Chosun’s popular food and travel program 식객 허영만의 백반기행 were treated to a heartfelt and candid episode featuring veteran actor Jung Tae-woo. The show, known for its culinary adventures and intimate celebrity stories, took a detour to Gyeongbuk Yeongdeok, a picturesque coastal town. But it wasn’t just the local cuisine or scenic backdrops that captured the audience’s attention—it was Jung Tae-woo’s honest reflections on family, fatherhood, and the unique dynamics shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jung Tae-woo, a familiar face to many for his roles in blockbuster films such as 왕과 사는 남자 and a career spanning 39 years, sat down with host Heo Young-man to discuss not only his professional journey but also the joys and challenges of raising two sons in a rapidly changing world. As reported by OSEN and Star News Korea, Jung’s openness about his family life resonated with viewers, offering a rare glimpse behind the curtain of celebrity.
When asked about his children, Jung replied, “My eldest is 16 years old, and my second is 10 years old. There’s a six-year gap between them.” He smiled as he shared how quickly time seemed to have passed, with both boys growing up in what felt like the blink of an eye. This simple admission set the stage for a deeper conversation about the different experiences each son has had with their parents—especially in the shadow of a global pandemic.
Jung’s passion for surfing quickly became a focal point of the episode. “I love surfing, so I often went to Bali,” he said, his eyes lighting up at the memory. The actor didn’t just keep this hobby to himself. “Of course, my son surfs too. He’s really good at it,” Jung said, beaming with pride. To underscore his point, he shared a video clip on the show, revealing both his and his son’s impressive surfing skills. The footage, which showed the pair gliding effortlessly over the waves, highlighted not only their athleticism but also the bond forged through shared interests.
It turns out that surfing trips to Bali were more than just vacations—they were opportunities for Jung and his eldest son to connect. “My eldest spent a lot of time with me,” Jung explained, reflecting on the countless hours they enjoyed together. But the story was markedly different for his younger son.
Jung Tae-woo recounted that his second son was born shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic upended daily life. As the world shut down, so too did the airline industry, grounding his wife, who works as a flight attendant. “My wife had no flights during the pandemic, so she ended up spending all her time with our second son,” Jung recalled. This unexpected turn of events meant that while his eldest son had many memories of adventures with dad, the youngest grew up with a different dynamic—one defined by near-constant proximity to his mother.
“The second is much closer to his mom,” Jung admitted, his tone both understanding and a touch wistful. “He doesn’t really have memories of traveling alone with me.” The actor’s candor struck a chord, as many families around the world have grappled with similar shifts in routines and relationships during the pandemic era. The reality of a parent’s work being abruptly halted, and the subsequent impact on family bonds, is a story that transcends celebrity.
Jung’s wife’s absence from the skies during COVID-19 meant more than just a pause in her career; it gave her and their second son an extraordinary chance to forge a deep, day-to-day connection. According to Star News Korea, Jung explained, “My second son was born just before the COVID-19 period, so my wife was off work and played mostly with him.” The result? The youngest became what Jung affectionately described as a “mom’s shadow”—always by her side, and understandably more attached to her.
Yet, Jung did not express regret—rather, he articulated a sense of acceptance and even pride in the closeness between his wife and their son. “He’s closer to his mom. I don’t think he has many memories of traveling alone with me,” Jung said, reiterating the unique familial dynamics shaped by circumstance rather than design.
The episode also touched on the public’s fascination with Jung’s sons, particularly the eldest, whose appearance has drawn comparisons to K-pop idols. Whenever Jung shares photos of his children on social media, fans are quick to comment on their striking looks—a testament, perhaps, to the genetic lottery, but also to the warm family atmosphere cultivated by their parents.
Throughout the broadcast, Jung’s identity as a devoted father was on full display. He is well-known in the entertainment industry for his “dad fool” persona—a loving term in Korea for parents who dote on their children. Surfing, travel, and shared hobbies are not just pastimes for Jung; they are the building blocks of cherished memories and family tradition. The pride he feels in passing on his love for surfing to his sons is palpable. “Of course, my son surfs too. He’s really good at it,” he repeated, his satisfaction evident.
But Jung’s story is not just about the joys of fatherhood; it’s also about adaptation and resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic forced families everywhere to reconfigure their lives, sometimes in ways that led to unexpected closeness or, conversely, new distances. For Jung, the pandemic meant stepping back and watching as his wife and youngest son formed a special bond, even as he treasured the memories he’d already built with his eldest.
Jung Tae-woo’s reflections offer a window into the lives of many parents who found themselves in similar situations during the pandemic. With schools closed, travel restricted, and work routines disrupted, families were often thrown together in new combinations. As Jung’s experience shows, these shifts can create both challenges and opportunities for deeper connection—sometimes with one parent more than the other, depending on the circumstances.
In the end, the episode of 식객 허영만의 백반기행 featuring Jung Tae-woo was more than just a culinary journey through Yeongdeok. It was a meditation on family, memory, and the ways in which extraordinary times can reshape the bonds between parents and children. For viewers, Jung’s honesty was both relatable and reassuring, a reminder that even celebrities face the same parenting dilemmas as everyone else—and that love, in all its forms, remains at the heart of every family story.