“There are classes for brides, but there are no classes for grooms.”
Channel A’s ‘These Days Men’s Life - Groom Class ‘(Groom Class)has been consistently loved for 4 years and has established itself as a’ long-running entertainment show ‘.’ Groom Class ‘, which surpassed its 168th episode with the broadcast on the 18th, is a program that portrays the process of the entertainment industry’s representative ‘bachelor stars’ growing into good adults.
If you look closely, the focus is on ‘classes’ rather than the groom, and this aspect seems to be a factor in its popularity and differentiation.Producer Im Jeong-gyu also agreed, saying, “We don’t force marriage.We just record the process of becoming a ‘good person’.”

It is said that ‘Groom Class’ had a hard time recruiting guests in the beginning because of the burden of marriage that the title itself suggests.PD Lim said, “I convinced them that it is not a show about marriage, but a show that shows the process of becoming a good man and a groom-to-be,” and that tone is still maintained to this day.
Shim Hyung-tak showed his ‘growth’ by revealing everything from dating to marriage and childcare through the program.In the case of Cheon Myeong-hoon, who recently appeared, he confessed his unrequited love for his ‘female friend’ of 10 years, saying, “I have someone I like.”

Regarding this, Chief Producer(CP)Seo Hye-seung said, “Most of the cast became famous when they were young and(in reality)were not familiar with dating,” and through “Groom Class,” “the most meaningful scenes are those where they build relationships, share their worries, and change.”
Such changes are impossible with the power of a simple format alone.The program is sticking to the production team’s ‘original intention’ that observation should be based on ‘real emotions’.Representative examples are middle-aged actors Kim Il-woo and Park Sun-young, who are currently attracting attention.PD Im Jeong-gyu, who is capturing the two people in the camera angle from an ‘observer’s perspective ‘, said this.

“At first, they were just two people who appeared as long-time’ colleagues.’But at some point, they started talking naturally and felt each other’s hearts move.We don’t force them to date, we just make room for them.”
Kim Il-woo and Park Sun-young are carefully ‘progressing’ their relationship as a couple by recording every other week.Viewers are cheering on their awkward conversations and excitement, and the production team is carefully watching the flow.
“At that age, it’s amazing to feel excited, and expressing it is also ‘courage.’ It doesn’t necessarily have to lead to marriage, because the process is ‘sincerity.’ However, the entire production team is rooting for the two to come to fruition.(Laughs)”

What is the goal of “Groom Class” that the two producers think of as “becoming a good groom” ? Their theory that if you don’t use it, you will deteriorate was quite persuasive.
“There is no right answer.But isn’t consideration, like a muscle, something that needs to be used continuously to maintain it? ‘Groom Class’ believes that this is the foundation of a relationship.”

In the midst of the flood of so-called ‘spicy reality shows’, ‘Groom Class’ is also receiving a great response by focusing on ‘sincerity over stimulation, growth over setting’.CP Seo Hye-seung said that he wants to continue this journey.
“I think it would be more appropriate to call it a ‘growth show’ rather than a marriage show.It’s not a show about finding a partner in a short period of time, but a show about how one person changes.That’s why it’s more fun if you ‘keep watching’.”


Reporter Kim Gyul- winter@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.