South Korean television personality Kim Gura, known for his candid wit and long-running presence on variety shows, made headlines this week after introducing his 6-year-old daughter Su-hyun to viewers in a heartwarming on-air moment. The surprise reveal took place during the April 16, 2026 episode of the tvN STORY variety program 육아인턴 ("Parenting Intern"), which chronicles the parenting journeys of celebrities with little childcare experience.
On this particular episode, comedian Lee Kyung-kyu found himself in over his head, tasked with caring for two young children—5-year-old Seo-jin and 9-month-old Seo-hyun—without much backup. The show had already established its premise: throw seasoned entertainers into the deep end of childcare and see how they swim. But when Lee Kyung-kyu admitted, "It's hard to look after two at once," the producers called in a ringer—Kim Gura, a self-proclaimed "active dad" with hands-on experience.
According to Seoul Shinmun, Kim Gura arrived on set to a warm welcome, immediately demonstrating his parenting prowess by calming the fussy 9-month-old Seo-hyun and offering playful advice to Lee. "Which kid eats green onions? You really don't know kids," Kim teased as Lee prepared a meal for Seo-jin, drawing laughter from the crew and viewers alike. The dynamic between the two men—one flustered, one unfazed—set the stage for a memorable episode.
But the real showstopper came when Lee Kyung-kyu, curious about Kim Gura's own family, asked, "Is your daughter six now?" Kim replied, "Yes, she's one year older than Seo-jin," confirming the age difference between the children. Without missing a beat, Kim Gura pulled out his phone and dialed home, initiating a video call that would soon melt hearts across the country.
On the screen appeared Su-hyun, Kim's daughter from his second marriage, dressed in a princess outfit and waving a magic wand. Her cheerful greeting and playful demeanor brought a wave of warmth to the set. As reported by Xportsnews, Kim orchestrated a virtual introduction between Su-hyun and Seo-jin, prompting the children to greet each other with shy waves and giggles. "Say hello to your little brother," Kim encouraged his daughter, and then prompted Seo-jin in turn: "Say hello to your big sister." The exchange was brief but genuine, and Kim couldn't hide his joy, beaming with pride as a father.
"If you show her once in a while like this, time just flies by," Kim joked, drawing laughter from his fellow cast members and the production crew. The moment, lighthearted yet touching, resonated with viewers and quickly became a trending topic on social media. As bnt News noted, Kim's ability to balance humor with heartfelt parenting advice made the episode especially memorable.
The backstory to this on-air family introduction adds further layers to Kim Gura's public persona. He first became a father in 1997, when he and his then-wife welcomed their son, Kim Dong-hyun, better known by his stage name Gri. After 18 years of marriage, Kim and his first wife divorced amicably in August 2015. Five years later, in 2020, Kim remarried a non-celebrity 12 years his junior, and the couple welcomed Su-hyun in September 2021. The birth of his daughter—often described in the Korean media as a "late-born child"—was celebrated as a new chapter for the veteran entertainer.
Throughout the episode, Kim Gura's hands-on approach to childcare was on full display. He confidently soothed baby Seo-hyun, enlisted Seo-jin's help, and even critiqued Lee Kyung-kyu's parenting choices with good-natured ribbing. According to tvN STORY, Kim remarked, "Experts say I'm better at taking care of kids than most," a claim that seemed justified as he navigated the chaos with ease.
Yet, despite his experience, Kim was quick to acknowledge the challenges of modern parenting. The episode highlighted the generational gap between Kim and Lee, with Kim offering practical tips and Lee gamely trying to keep up. Their banter—sometimes exasperated, often affectionate—captured the realities of raising young children in today's fast-paced world.
For many viewers, the highlight remained the candid glimpse into Kim Gura's family life. The sight of Su-hyun, dressed in lace and waving her wand, charmed audiences. As Xportsnews described, "Su-hyun's appearance in her princess dress and magic wand was eye-catching." The show didn't linger long on the call, but the brief exchange left a lasting impression, showcasing a softer side of Kim Gura that fans seldom see.
The public's fascination with celebrity families is nothing new in South Korea, where variety shows often blur the lines between entertainment and real life. But what set this episode apart was its authenticity. Kim Gura didn't just play the role of an expert dad; he lived it, sharing a slice of his private world with viewers in real time. The moment felt spontaneous, unscripted, and refreshingly sincere.
Kim Gura's journey—marked by personal and professional reinvention—has long been a subject of media interest. From his early days as a radio DJ to his current status as a household name, Kim has weathered both controversy and acclaim. His remarriage in 2020 and the birth of his daughter were widely covered, but until now, Su-hyun had remained largely out of the public eye. The decision to introduce her, even briefly, on national television was a significant gesture, signaling Kim's comfort with sharing more of his family life with fans.
As the episode drew to a close, the atmosphere on set was noticeably lighter. Lee Kyung-kyu, initially overwhelmed, seemed buoyed by Kim's support and the playful energy Su-hyun brought to the screen. The show's producers, too, appeared pleased with the outcome, having captured a genuine moment of connection that transcended the usual variety show antics.
For Kim Gura, the experience was perhaps best summed up by his own words: "If you show her once in a while like this, time just flies by." In a world where celebrity can often feel distant or manufactured, moments like these—fleeting, unscripted, and full of heart—remind audiences of the joys and challenges that unite us all.