Korean TV Shows Highlight Fathers Embracing Parenting

Television shows in South Korea have started to highlight the key roles of fathers in parenting. This is believed to be a step in changing a culture in the country where women are the ones usually at home and men are active in the workforce.

According to Bloomberg, the hands-on parenting of dads in the country is the effect of better child-care benefits for fathers. This is the focus subject matter of TV series like "Where are we going, dad?" and "The return of Superman."

The latter, as per the same report, became very popular and had adaptations in other countries like Vietnam and China. On the other hand, "The return of Superman," is a reality show which shows Korean celebrity fathers given the task to watch over their kids for two days, without any help from their wives, PRI said.

Started in January 2013, the show "Where are we going, dad?" follows five fathers, who are athletes, entertainers or athletes, as they go on adventures with their children. Korea.net said the bond among dads and their kids are strengthened and relationships are tested because of numerous challenges.

Meanwhile, PRI noted that "The return of Superman" also presented an image of Korean fathers which is very different from their usual workaholic and "uninvolved" nature. It claimed that the show wanted to portray South Korean dads as parents who have time for their children.

Korean dad Yungoon mentioned in the PRI report that he wanted to create more memories with his kid and change his experience as a child. "I only have pictures with my mom. Not with my father. The last time I took a picture with him was like, first grade? I never played with him. Having dinner with him, that was quite rare also. I don't have any good memories with him," he noted.

This change in the setup of the family and parenting roles is considered to be a step towards making women in South Korea more involved in the workforce. Bloomberg highlighted that this move will help the country in terms of economy especially with the expected fall in the number of the working group.