An Jung-hwan Faces Challenges in First Parenting Experience on 'Parenting Intern'

An Jung-hwan faces challenges in his first parenting experience.

Premiering on April 9, tvN STORY's new program 'Parenting Intern' is a reality growth show where soon-to-be grandfathers with little parenting experience spend a day with children, learning the ropes of childcare from scratch. In the preview video released on April 2, Lee Kyung-kyu and An Jung-hwan make their debut as parenting interns, marking the start of their hands-on childcare journey.

Initially, the atmosphere is surprisingly peaceful. Lee Kyung-kyu naturally engages in a game of 'peek-a-boo,' building rapport, while An Jung-hwan quickly wins over the child with balloon play, eliciting hearty laughter. The interns' relaxed reactions, such as "The child is really gentle," and "Everything is going smoothly," suggest that the initial phase of parenting is without major hurdles.

However, this tranquility doesn't last long. In the world of parenting, there are so-called forbidden phrases like 'sleeps well,' 'gentle,' and 'eats well.' Uttering these words often leads to the opposite situation unfolding. The interns' complacent remark, "It's going smoothly," triggers the 'parenting taboo,' opening the gates to chaos. When the child suddenly bursts into tears and throws a tantrum, Lee Kyung-kyu finds himself drenched in sweat or tears, cradling and soothing the child in a fervent struggle.

An Jung-hwan finds himself trapped in the 'No Zone.' Despite his efforts to entertain with various games, the child shakes their head in refusal. Eventually, the 28-month-old child cheerfully commands, "Stop it!" leaving An Jung-hwan flustered and ultimately sitting down on the floor. It's a moment where even a former national soccer star is left powerless.

The production team stated, "Even the great Lee Kyung-kyu and An Jung-hwan find themselves overwhelmed from their first day, experiencing the demanding reality of childcare firsthand. Will these confident 'interns' who dared to take on twilight parenting survive the 'parenting hell' they encounter from the start, and will they grow from novice interns? Find out in the first episode."

tvN STORY's 'Parenting Intern' premieres on Thursday, April 9, at 8 PM.

Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr