On the October 26th episode of MBC's 'Save Me! Holmes', viewers were taken on a tour of various family homes. Previously a regular on the show, Park Na-rae stepped down in December last year amid allegations of illegal medical procedures and power abuse, and has since halted her broadcasting activities.

This episode was a 'K-Family Home' special, showcasing a range of family homes from those where all children have moved out to those where adult children, known as 'kangaroo kids', still live with their parents. The episode featured Jang Dong-min, Kim Dae-hee, and Shin Bong-sun, who reunited with their 'We Need to Talk' family concept from KBS's 'Gag Concert', delivering a realistic and humorous portrayal of various family dynamics.

The first home visited was a traditional Korean house over 50 years old, located in the alleys of Dongmyo Market in Jongno-gu. This home, where parents live after their children have moved out, retained its historical charm with an old bathhouse and nostalgic items like wash basins and laundry soap. The homeowner revealed that they purchased the house in 1979 for approximately 30 million won, a surprising fact considering Eunma Apartments were priced in the 20 million won range at the time.

Inside, the house remained untouched by modern renovations, featuring items from model homes, a refrigerator held together with tape, an old rice cooker still in its plastic wrap, and a 50-year-old mink blanket, showcasing a frugal lifestyle. However, it was later revealed that the homeowner is a real estate expert who owns properties in Yongsan and Jamsil, adding an unexpected twist.

The next home was in Dobong-gu, where a 30-something 'kangaroo kid' daughter lives with her parents. The 32-year-old daughter shared that she gives 20% of her salary as allowance while living with her parents. The living room and kitchen exuded a typical K-Family Home vibe, while the daughter's room was filled with cute decorations, creating a stark contrast with the rest of the house.

The episode also showcased homes with separate living spaces for different generations. A large apartment complex in Imun-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, featured a layout where the main living room led to a separate unit, allowing parents and children to live together yet apart. Additionally, a two-story house where a daughter returned to live with her parents after marriage was introduced, with the mother occupying the first floor and the daughter's family on the second, illustrating another form of the modern K-Family Home.

The final home was an apartment in Cheonho-dong, Gangdong-gu, home to a family gaining attention on social media for their daily life content. The dynamic between the stoic father and his playful daughter has resonated with the MZ generation, and the daughter revealed that she shares her social media earnings with her parents. Their life in a pristine new apartment exemplifies the current trend of 'kangaroo kids' cohabiting with their parents in modern K-Family Homes.

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