The living room buzzed with laughter and the clatter of dishes as TV Chosun’s popular reality show, 조선의 사랑꾼 (Chosun’s Lovers), aired its latest episode on March 2, 2026. The spotlight was firmly on veteran actor Kim Yong-gun, whose vibrant family life has long fascinated viewers. This week’s broadcast offered a rare, heartfelt glimpse into his role as a doting grandfather, a hands-on father—despite being well into his seventies—and the gentle stirrings of romance and marriage in the next generation.
Kim Yong-gun, now past his seventieth birthday, has never shied away from sharing the joys and challenges of his unconventional family. The episode captured him visiting his daughter-in-law, actress Hwang Bo-ra, and his grandson Woo-in at the home of his second son, Cha Hyun-woo. True to his promise, Kim arrived ready to take Woo-in sledding before winter’s end, embracing the role of “one-day childcare helper” with gusto, according to Top Star News.
“My youngest son Shion is six now, and I spend so much time with him that his name just slips out automatically,” Kim confessed with a sheepish grin, recalling a moment when he almost called his grandson by his youngest son’s name. The slip drew laughter from the family and crew alike, highlighting the unique situation of a man juggling grandfatherly duties while still raising a young child of his own. Hwang Bo-ra chimed in, noting that her father-in-law’s days are filled with energetic outings to kid cafés and bustling shopping malls, all in the name of hands-on parenting.
Kim’s commitment to family doesn’t end with his own children. On the show, he was seen preparing a traditional feast noodle dish (잔치국수) for Woo-in, setting up play equipment in the living room, and even joking about his dwindling energy. “We had so much fun today, but I don’t think I can do this too often. Maybe we’ll see each other again in a year,” he quipped, drawing warm laughter and a knowing nod from anyone familiar with the exhausting joys of childcare.
But the episode’s most talked-about moments came when the conversation turned to Kim’s eldest son, renowned actor Ha Jung-woo. Rumors about Ha’s romantic life have been swirling for months, especially after reports of his relationship with actress and influencer Cha Jung-won began making headlines. When asked by producers if Ha Jung-woo often visits Woo-in, Kim replied, “I guess they meet without me knowing. I just hear about it.” His answer, delivered with a twinkle in his eye, suggested a family dynamic where news sometimes travels by grapevine.
Pressed further about whether Ha Jung-woo is fond of babies, Kim responded, “He likes babies. That’s probably why marriage talks are starting to emerge. After seeing Woo-in born, it seems the idea of marriage is becoming more concrete for him.” These remarks, as reported by Xports News and OSEN, fueled speculation that the family could soon be celebrating another wedding.
Hwang Bo-ra, who is both a daughter-in-law and a close observer of the family’s inner workings, offered additional insight into the budding romance between Ha Jung-woo and Cha Jung-won. “I see Jung-won often,” she said. “It seems their first meeting was in a private setting, where Jung-won greeted Ha Jung-woo with a ‘Hello, senior.’ That’s how they met.”
When the inevitable question arose—who made the first move?—Hwang didn’t hesitate. “I think the man probably liked her more at first,” she mused, hinting at Ha Jung-woo’s earnest affection. Later in the episode, she elaborated, “A man has to be more proactive for a relationship to really start, don’t you think?” Her words painted a picture of a romance that began with quiet admiration and grew into something more substantial.
Adding to the intrigue, Ha Jung-woo’s agency recently confirmed the relationship with Cha Jung-won. “It is true that he is dating his girlfriend with marriage in mind, but nothing has been confirmed regarding marriage yet,” the agency stated, as cited by Xports News. This official acknowledgment, paired with Kim Yong-gun’s on-air comments, has only intensified public curiosity about when—or if—the couple will tie the knot.
Throughout the episode, viewers also got a sense of how the family’s dynamic is shifting. Kim Yong-gun’s late-in-life fatherhood has drawn both admiration and gentle ribbing from friends and colleagues. Fellow entertainer Choi Sung-guk, himself a father at 52, joked, “Thanks to Mr. Kim’s bold path, the attention on me has lessened,” to which Kim replied with a laugh, “Congratulations. Maybe you’ll have another son later.”
The episode wasn’t all lighthearted, however. It also touched on the struggles of other cast members. Singer Baek Gi-sung opened up about his hearing loss and the difficulties he and his wife have faced while preparing for pregnancy. His doctor advised him to pace himself and take weekly breaks, warning that the stress of trying to conceive had taken a toll on his health. Baek, moved to tears even by the sight of his dog, shared his struggles with what appeared to be symptoms of menopause, offering a poignant counterpoint to the show’s otherwise cheerful mood.
Despite these ups and downs, the heart of the broadcast remained firmly with Kim Yong-gun’s family. His willingness to embrace both the chaos and the joy of caring for young children—whether as a father or grandfather—resonated with viewers. Hwang Bo-ra’s affectionate descriptions of her father-in-law’s dedication, from braving crowded malls to cherishing fleeting moments with his grandson, underscored the warmth and resilience that define their household.
As the credits rolled, the sense lingered that this family—like so many others—balances tradition and change, laughter and exhaustion, new love and old bonds. For Kim Yong-gun, the journey continues, one sled ride and bowl of noodles at a time, as his family’s story unfolds both on and off the screen.