‘Groom Class’ Shim Hyung-tak, Saya, Kim Il-woo, and Park Sun-young created unforgettable Christmas memories.

On the 145th episode of ‘These Days Men‘s Life - Groom Class’ (hereafter ‘Groom Class’)’ on Channel A aired on the 25th, Shim Hyung-tak and Saya, who are due to give birth in January, received ‘childbirth education’. Kim Il-woo also invited Park Sun-young to Gangneung and they enjoyed a Christmas Eve party just for them while going on a camping date.

Shim Hyung-tak went to receive ‘childbirth education’ with his pregnant wife, Saya. While waiting, Shim Hyung-tak read a storybook to their two-year-old Saebong-i (natal name), and the ‘Mentor Corps’, who were watching in the studio, asked, “Have you given Saebong-i a real name?” Shim Hyung-tak said, “Shimharu!” and explained, “It means ’spring‘ in Japanese and it’s pretty in Korean too, so we decided on Shimharu.” While everyone applauded and said, “It‘s pretty!” Kim Jong-min said, “A dad gets to name his child. I never imagined that. It’s so amazing. If it were a son, I would name him ‘Kim Jong-il’,” making the studio burst into laughter with his “Haru + All-day” joke.


After a while, the teacher in charge came in and the two began receiving full-fledged ‘childbirth education’. At this time, Shim Hyung-tak raised his hand and said, “Teacher, I have a favor to ask of you. My wife seems to speak Korean well, but when she speaks fast, I can‘t understand half of it. I would appreciate it if you could speak a little slower when it’s important.” The teacher praised him, saying, “This is the role a husband should play for his pregnant wife.” In a friendly atmosphere, the two solved a quiz related to childbirth and also learned couple yoga to help with childbirth. After that, Shim Hyung-tak and Saya visited a jewelry exhibition for prenatal education. After enjoying a “feast for the eyes” with all kinds of pretty jewelry at the exhibition, the two had dinner at a nearby restaurant. During the meal, Saya told her husband, “When I give birth next year, your mother will come from Japan. She will come around mid-February and stay for about a week.” Shim Hyung-tak said, “I wish you could stay for a month,” revealing his true feelings, “I wish you could live together.” Saya said, “I’m worried that your mother will feel burdened if you come,” and Shim Hyung-tak said, “Not at all,” and courageously(?) said, “I’ll leave the house.” At this, Saya glared, and Shim Hyung-tak immediately said, “Just kidding~” and hurriedly took care of the situation.

He then asked, “What do you think I did best during your pregnancy?” Saya said, “Going to the hospital with you” and added, “I really needed Shim (at the hospital) because I needed her to understand Korean well.” Shim Hyung-tak replied, “I‘m grateful that Saya is happy about that,” and Saya praised him, saying, “That’s why I‘m looking forward to the future. Shim will be a good father to Saebok.” Saya also gave her husband a handwritten letter and a keychain with the birthstones of their family of three as a Christmas present. In particular, the handwritten letter Saya wrote contained the message, “Will there be another one (to our family) in the year after next? Let’s have a happy Christmas every year,” which made Shim Hyung-tak choke up. The ‘Mentor Corps’ sent their heartfelt support to Shim Hyung-tak, who has now grown into a solid father. Following the heartwarming Christmas date between Shim Hyung-tak and Saya, this time Kim Il-woo‘s day was revealed.

Kim Il-woo waited for someone at Gangneung Station, showing off his coolness in a ‘pretty-as-hell’ style. After a while, Park Sun-young appeared in front of Kim Il-woo with a bright smile. When the ‘Mentor Corps’ saw this, they said, “Okay, okay!” and exploded with excitement. Kim Il-woo guided Park Sun-young to Gangneung’s famous Wolhwa Street, and they each wrote their wishes on the ‘Wish Fish’ in the middle of the street. At this time, Kim Il-woo wrote, “SY (Sun-young), the lottery of my life♥”, causing the ‘Groomsman’ Kim Jong-min to exclaim, “Isn‘t this almost a proposal?”. Park Sun-young was also delighted and made a surprise statement, “If I win first prize in the lottery, my brother and I will buy a house in Gangneung jointly under our names.” ‘Principal’ Lee Seung-chul cheered loudly, saying, “Joint name plotting that three generations must accumulate virtue!” Park Sun-young further added, “You could open a cafe there or manage it together”, elevating Kim Il-woo’s clown.

In a sweet atmosphere, the two headed to the traditional market. Here too, the citizens gave them enthusiastic cheers, saying, “Are you a married couple?”, “You look good together”. Kim Il-woo smiled slyly, saying, “Even I think if I were standing with Sun-young, people would mistake us for a married couple.” After buying crab and various foods at the market, the two went to the campsite that Kim Il-woo had made a reservation for in advance. For Park Sun-young, who had hardly ever been camping, Kim Il-woo decorated a Christmas tree and made a warm bangshow with lots of fruit. Park Sun-young also said, “I brought you one because I thought of you,” and handed Kim Il-woo a pair of sunglasses. Kim Il-woo was happy to wear the sunglasses as a “couple item” in addition to the key ring he made with Park Sun-young. Amid the Christmas atmosphere, Kim Il-woo ate the soybean paste stew that Park Sun-young made and said, “This is so delicious!” and gave a “thumbs up.” After that, he personally peeled the ribs and crab meat and placed them on a plate. Park Sun-young praised Kim Il-woo‘s affectionate appearance, saying, “You’ve matured a lot, oppa,” and “Why hasn‘t oppa gotten married?” The “studio mentor group” commented on the two’s lovey-dovey mode, saying, “We have to reserve the wedding hall here first. He said excitedly, ”I‘ll overtake Park Hyun-ho.“

As the mood ripened, Kim Il-woo took out ‘Christmas bread’, Stollen, and served it as dessert. The two, who put candles on the bread and sprinkled sugar powder to create a white Christmas atmosphere, affectionately blew out the candles. Right after, Park Sun-young said, ”A Christmas present!“ and gave Kim Il-woo a scarf and gloves set. Then, she smiled and said, ”Honey, you’ve been really good lately. In some ways, it seems more comfortable. I think I‘ve been well-educated (in ‘Groom Class’). “He continued, ”My love cells are dead, but we all have to revive our dead (love) cells,“ he joked. Kim Il-woo asked shyly, ”How can I revive them?“ and Park Sun-young responded meaningfully, ”Won’t they come alive in 2025?“ As the studio became heated, Park Sun-young asked, ”What do you think is the best thing you did in 2024?“ Without a second of hesitation, Kim Il-woo answered, ”Meeting you!“ As Park Sun-young burst out laughing, the ”Mentor Corps“ gave a round of applause to the two who had a happy Christmas Eve, saying, ”We‘re looking forward to next year even more.“

”Groom Class“ airs every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m.

Jeon Hyo-jin, Donga.com reporter jhj@donga.com