The Return of Superman (; also known as Superman Is Back) is a South Korean reality-variety show that airs on KBS2. The Return of Superman used to be one of the two segments (the other segment is 1 Night 2 Days) on Happy Sunday. The original three episodes pilot aired as a Chuseok holiday special from September 19 till September 21 of 2013, starring Lee Hwi-jae, Choo Sung-hoon, Jang Hyun-sung. Start from June 16, 2024, the show is presented by actress Choi Ji-woo and comedienne Ahn Young-mi, along with some casts of this show (Most appeared: Kim Jun-ho, Moon Hee-joon, and Jasson).
KBS announced on October 17, 2013, that The Return of Superman will officially become part of the Happy Sunday lineup starting on November 3, 2013. The show replaces Star Family Show Mamma Mia, which was moved to Wednesday nights. Since November 6, 2025, the release time changed again to Wednesday started from 8:30 PM KST.
Synopsis Celebrity dads are left to care for their kids alone for 48 hours without the help of anyone else, while their wives leave home to enjoy some relaxing time off. KBS synopsis. Retrieved 5-5-2014. The wives are shown leaving the home before the 48 hours begins and coming back to greet their family once the 48 hours have ended. During the 48 hours the dads and children are either doing a task the wives have written out for the dads to complete, or the dads are exploring new activities with their kids. Occasionally celebrity friends of the dads will stop by to interact with the kids. singer Rain meets Sarang. Retrieved 5-28-2014. UV & Epik High collaborate on children's song. Retrieved 5-28-2014. Shoo and twins guest star on Superman is Back.
Format
The show is filmed with set up cameras and cameraman hiding in tents and playhouses in each of the celebrities' actual home. Family and friends of the celebrity dads will occasionally show up in episodes. In each episode, as the show moves from one family to the next, a brief narration by the narrator is given to introduce the next segment of the episode.
During each individual family segment the parents (husband and wife), with the exception of Junu, Junseo and Haru who were old enough to answer questions when they started the show, would give a talking head interview while being asked questions by the shows PDs (producers) about the current situation being aired.
Starting from episode 520 (aired on April 7, 2024), the MC(s) gather with the parents featured in each episode in the same studio to provide their reactions and comments on a family's life that is being observed.
Cast
Current cast
*Children are listed from oldest to youngest, and families are listed in order of appearance on the show. * = The Representative For Each Family. Duration Dad Children Mom/Wife Filming location2022– Ep 444–presentFencerSon: Kim Eun-wooDOB: Yoo Jung-hyunFlight AttendantSeoul, South KoreaSon: Kim Jung-wooDOB: 2024–Ep 529–presentComedianDaughter: Jang Ji-woo DOB: Joo Yu-jinTBA, South KoreaSon: Jang Si-woo DOB: 2024– Ep 537–presentComedianDaughter: Park Jae-yi (Jeon-beokie) DOB: Kim Da-ye HousewivesTBA, South Korea
*Children are listed from oldest to youngest, and families are listed in order of appearance on the show. * = The Representative For Each Family. Duration Dad Children Mom/Wife Filming location2024 Ep 554–presentShin Min-chulTaekwondo athleteSon: Shin Si-woo DOB: SingerTBA, South KoreaSon: Shin Si-anDOB: 2025– Ep 569–presentNam Gi-hyeop Professional GolferDaughter: Nam In-seoDOB: Professional GolferTBA, South KoreaDaughter: Nam Yeon-seoDOB:
*Children are listed from oldest to youngest, and families are listed in order of appearance on the show. Duration Uncle Children Filming location
*Younger siblings are listed from oldest to youngest, and families are listed in order of appearance on the show. Duration Older Sibling Younger Sibling(s) Filming location2024 Ep 524–546 Hwang Min-wooTrot singerDOB: Little Brother: Hwang Min-ho Trot singer DOB: TBA, South Korea
Duration Narrator2024–present Ep 530–presentChoi Ji-woo2024–present Ep 530–presentAhn Young-mi
Former cast *Families and narrators are listed in order of exiting the show.
Duration Dad Children Mom/Wife Filming location 2013Chuseok Special Part 1–3 Lee Hyun-wooSinger/Actor Son: Lee Dong-haDOB: September 2009 Yi Je-niMuseum Curator Lee Hyun-woo talks about his marriage. Retrieved 5-6-2014. Seoul, South Korea Son: Lee Ju-haDOB: April 2011 2014Ep 25–31 Kim Jung-taeActor Son: Kim Ji-hoo (Yakkung)DOB: February 2011 Kim Jung-tae "Strange indeed my baby". Retrieved 6-8-2014. Jeon Yeo-jinUniversity Professor Busan, South Korea 2013–2014Chuseok Special Part 1–3Ep 1–33 Jang Hyun-sungActor Son: Jang Jun-woo (Junu)DOB: Yang HuijeongBakery Owner Seoul, South Korea Son: Jang Jun-seoDOB: 2013–2015Ep 1–58 TabloRapper/Songwriter Daughter: Lee Ha-ruDOB: Kang Hye-jungActress Seoul, South Korea 2015Ep 59–103 Uhm Tae-woongActor Daughter: Uhm Ji-onDOB: Ballerina Opo-eup, Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea 2014–2016Ep 34–116, 156 Song Il-gookActor Actor Song Il Kook becomes the father of triplets. Retrieved 6-25-2014. Son: Song Dae-hanDOB: (Fraternal triplet) Jung Seung-yeonHigh Court Judge Songdo, Incheon, South Korea Son: Song Min-gukDOB: (Fraternal triplet) Son: Song Man-seDOB: (Fraternal triplet) 2013–2017Chuseok Special Part 1–3Ep 1–122, 155–160, 205–206,250 Choo Sung-hoonMMA Fighter Daughter: Choo Sa-rangDOB: SHIHO, Akiyama Yoshihiro celebrate first child. Retrieved 6-8-2014. Shiho YanoModel Minato, Tokyo, Japan 2016Ep 127–Ep 162 Yang Dong-geunActor/Hip-hop artist Son: Yang Joon-seoDOB: Park Ga-ram Office Worker/Former Music Video Model Samseong-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea Daughter: Yang JoyDOB: 2016Ep 129–Ep 162 Oh Ji-hoActor Daughter: Oh Seo-heun (Jibong-i.e.) DOB: Eun Bo-ah Fashion Designer Seongsu-dong, Seongdong, Seoul, South Korea2016–2017 Ep 117–182Lee Beom-sooActorDaughter: Lee So-eulDOB: Lee Yoon-jinEnglish interpreterGangnam, Seoul, South KoreaSon: Lee Da-eulDOB: 2016, 2017Ep 130-162 (regular)Ep 193 (special appearances) In Gyo-jinActor Daughter: In Ha-eunDOB: So Yi-hyunActress Jayang-dong, Gwangjin, Seoul, South Korea Namyang-ju, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea2016–2018Ep 114–210 Ki Tae-youngActor Daughter: Kim Ro-heeDOB: EugeneSinger/Actress Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea 2013–2018Chuseok Special Part 1–3Ep 1–220 2018–2019 Ep 249–251, 287(guest appearance) Lee Hwi-jaeComedian/Host Son: Lee Seo-eonDOB: (Fraternal twin) Moon Jeong-wonFlorist Dongcheon-dong, Yongin, South Korea (Episode 1 – 176)
Cheongdam, Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea (Episode 176–220,) Son: Lee Seo-junDOB: (Fraternal twin)2018–2019Ep. 221–259Bong Tae-gyuActorSon: Bong Si-ha DOB: Hasisi Park PhotographerJeongneung, Seongbuk, Seoul, South KoreaDaughter: Bong Bon-bi (Bonvie) DOB: 2019Ep 268–278 Jang Beom-juneSinger/songwriter Daughter: Jang Jo-ahDOB: Actress Seoul, South Korea Son: Jang Ha-daDOB: 2017–2019Ep 163–280 Ko Ji-yongBusinessman/Former Idol-Singer Son: Ko Seung-jae DOB: Heo Yang-lim Professor/Doctor Bangbae-dong, Seocho District, Seoul, South Korea2015–2019Ep 89–298 Lee Dong-gook Professional Football (Soccer) player Daughter: Lee Jae-siDOB: (Fraternal twin) Lee Soo-jinHousewife/former Miss Korea contestant Songdo, Incheon, South Korea Daughter: Lee Jae-ahDOB: (Fraternal twin) Daughter: Lee Seol-ahDOB: (Fraternal twin) Daughter: Lee Soo-ahDOB: (Fraternal twin) Son: Lee Si-an (Daebak-i.e.)DOB: 2017, 2019–2020Ep 195, 273–274, 279, 283 (special appearances)286–355 (regular) Hong Kyung-minSinger/Actor Daughter: Hong Ra-wonDOB: Kim YunaHaegeum Musician Seoul, South Korea Daughter: Hong Ra-imDOB: (age ) 2020Ep 315–362 Kang GaryRapper Son: Kang Ha-oh DOB: (age ) Kim Se-eunUnknown Jayang, Gwangjin, Seoul, South Korea 2014Ep 32–392019–2021Ep 307–378 News Anchor Son: Do Yeon-woo (Kkom-kkomi)DOB: Jang Yoon-jungTrot Singer Seoul, South Korea Daughter: Do Ha-youngDOB: 2020Ep 339,344-349,353,356,359Lee Chun-sooFormer Soccer PlayerDaughter: Lee Joo-eunDOB:Shim Ha-eunTBA, South KoreaSon: Lee Tae-kang DOB: (fraternal twin)Daughter: Lee Joo-yul DOB: (fraternal twin)2021Ep 366-394 Yoon Sang-hyunActor Daughter: Yoon Na-gyeom DOB: MaybeeSinger, lyricist, actress and radio presenter Gimpo, South Korea Daughter: Yoon Na-onDOB: Son: Yoon Hee-sungDOB:2016–2022Ep 154–413 Sam HammingtonTelevision Personality Son: William Hammington (Jung Tae-oh) DOB: Jung Yu-mi Housewife, Former Cafe Owner, Former Stylist Eungam, Eunpyeong, Seoul, South Korea Son: Bentley Hammington (Jung Woo-sung) DOB: 2018, 2020–2022Ep 213–214, 337, 339-415 Park Hyun-binTrot singer Son: Park Ha-joonDOB: Kim Joo-hee University Student/Housewife Seoul, South Korea Daughter: Park Ha-yeonDOB: 2022-Ep 417,425-426Baek Sung-hyunActorDaughter: Baek Seo-yoonDOB: Cho Da-bomHousewife2021–2022Ep 404-433Kim Tae-kyunBaseball playerDaughter: Kim Hyo-rin Kim Seok-ryu Former TV announcerTBA, South KoreaDaughter: Kim Ha-rin2021–2023Ep 338-461Shin Hyun-joonActorSon: Shin Min-joon DOB: Kim Kyung-miNon-celebrity CellistTBA, South KoreaSon: Shin Ye-joon DOB: Daughter: Shin Min-seo DOB: 2022–2023 Ep 427–483Kim Dong-hyunMixed martial artist, TV personalitySon: Kim Dan-wooDOB: Song Ha-yul HousewifeYongsan, SeoulDaughter: Kim Yeon-wooDOB: 2023–2024 Ep 473–508Kang Kyung-joonActorSon: Kang Jung-anDOB: Jang Shin-youngActressSeoul, South KoreaSon: Kang Jung-wooDOB: 2023–2024 Ep 498–509Lee Pil-moActorSon: Lee Dam-hoDOB: Seo Soo-yeonInterior DesignerTBA, South KoreaSon: Lee Do-hoDOB: 2018–2024Ep 239–314 (took hiatus from ep 315–352)Ep 353–519 Park Joo-hoProfessional Football (Soccer) player Daughter: Park Na-eun (Eden) DOB: AnnaHousewife Suwon, South Korea Son: Park Gun-hoo (Aciel)DOB: Son: Park Jin-woo (Élyséen)DOB:2019–2020, 2024Ep 281–342, 517–535Moon Hee-joonTelevision Personality/Former Idol-SingerDaughter: Moon Hee-yul (Jam Jam) DOB: Soyul Former Idol-SingerHannam, Yongsan, Seoul, South KoreaSon: Moon Hee-woo (Ppo Ppo) DOB: 2024Ep 520-543 Choi Min-hwanF.T. Island member Son: Choi Jae-yul DOB: Yul-heeFormer idol Seoul, South Korea Daughter: Choi Ah-yoon DOB: (fraternal twin) Daughter: Choi Ah-rinDOB: (fraternal twin)2022–2024 Ep 440–544Jasson (Yeon Je-seung)Interior Designer, TV PersonalitySon: Yeon Jun-beom DOB: Hong Hyun-heeTV PersonalitySeoul, South Korea
Duration Dad Children Mom/Wife Filming location2021–2023Ep 380–490Son: Zen Fujita (Sa Jeonseong)DOB: Sayuri FujitaTelevision PersonalityTBA, South Korea2024Ep Jo Seong-hwan Son: Jo Jae-woonBorn 2008 Jung Mi-aeTrot singer TBA, South KoreaSon: Jo In-seongBorn 2016 Daughter: Jo Ah-yeongBorn 2018Son: Jo Seung-wooBorn 2020
Duration Uncle Children Filming location2024 Ep 524–546 DinDinRapper, Producer, TV Personality,Radio PersonalityNephew: Niccolò Eugene Nannini DOB: TBA, South Korea