Legendary Baseball Star Lee Jong-beom Takes on Grandparenting in 'The Return of Superman'

In the latest episode of KBS2's 'The Return of Superman', legendary baseball player Lee Jong-beom, known as the 'Son of the Wind', experienced the challenges of parenting while taking care of his grandson, Go Tae-hyun.

The episode, aired on Wednesday, October 4th, titled 'Legendary Grandpa's Parenting Diary', featured MCs Kim Jong-min and Lalal. Lee Jong-beom made his first appearance on the show with his grandson, Go Tae-hyun. The episode also featured Lee Jung-hoo, Lee Jong-beom's grandson who plays in the Major League, showcasing a side of him not seen on the baseball field. The show recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 3.8%, securing the top spot in its time slot for variety shows, according to Nielsen Korea.

Legendary Baseball Star Lee Jong-beom Takes on Grandparenting in 'The Return of Superman'
Go Tae-hyun, Lee Jong-beom's grandson, made a notable first appearance, showcasing the DNA of a baseball family. With a lineage of famous baseball players including his grandfather Lee Jong-beom, uncle Lee Jung-hoo, and father Go Woo-seok, Tae-hyun, dubbed the 'Great-grandson of the Wind', impressed with his strong physique. Lee Jong-beom proudly stated, "Tae-hyun's physique is in the top 0.01%," and at just 25 months old, Tae-hyun had already mastered the stepper, astonishing everyone.

Lee Jong-beom took on the challenge of full-day 'close parenting' for the first time. Known for his quick steals on the baseball field, he approached parenting with the same speed and precision. He adeptly trimmed Tae-hyun's nails and changed his diapers with ease. His meticulous care, even ensuring proper ventilation after changing diapers, impressed MC Kim Jong-min, who remarked, "It seems like he's done this more than once."

Legendary Baseball Star Lee Jong-beom Takes on Grandparenting in 'The Return of Superman'
Despite his charismatic persona, Lee Jong-beom transformed into a doting grandfather in front of his grandson. He expressed his hope that Tae-hyun would develop an interest in baseball, but Tae-hyun showed more enthusiasm for K-pop dance. When EXO's 'Growl' and LE SSERAFIM's 'Spaghetti' played, Tae-hyun delighted everyone with his dance moves, leaving Lee Jong-beom both amused and charmed. Lee Jong-beom humorously suggested, "Try dancing with a bat," hoping to see Tae-hyun with a baseball bat in hand.

Lee Jung-hoo, known as the 'Grandson of the Wind', also showcased his affection for his nephew. Despite his busy schedule, he made time to visit Tae-hyun, giving him piggyback rides and playing around the house, proving to be a hit with his nephew. The episode teased more of Lee Jung-hoo's playful uncle mode, including batting practice with toy bats and riding toy cars.

Meanwhile, viewers were delighted to see the growth of Son Min-soo and Im Ra-ra's twins, Kang and Dan, who have reached 100 days old. Kang, who weighed 6.1kg at 60 days, grew to 7.3kg, and Dan increased from 5.7kg to 6.9kg. Kang, who previously cried silently, has started to cry out loud, and their tummy time has improved significantly. Kang now holds his head up with determination, and Dan's babbling has become more expressive.

The twins' growth is attributed to the tireless efforts of their father, Son Min-soo, who cared for them without sleep for 13 hours. Despite his exhaustion, he responded immediately to the twins' needs, showcasing his growing parenting skills. On their 100th day, Son Min-soo demonstrated advanced parenting techniques, such as holding Dan while rocking Kang's bouncer with his foot, and successfully capturing their footprints to commemorate the milestone, creating a touching memory.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr
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