The Return of Superman

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. 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.

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

Former cast

*Families and narrators are listed in order of exiting the show.

Cast history

Lee Hyun-woo could not participate in the show when it was picked up on Happy Sunday due to conflicting schedule.

Yoo Ho-jeong was the original narrator for episodes 1 and 2 of the Chuseok Special, there was no narrator for episode 3 of the special episodes.

Tablo and his daughter Haru joined the cast starting from episode 1 of season 1 to replace Lee Hyun-woo's spot.

Chae Sira became the narrator starting from season 1, her last episode was the 27th. Chae decided to leave the show due to her conflicting schedule.

Kim Jung-tae and his son Ji-hoo (Yakkung) guest starred on episodes 20 and 21 as part of Jang Hyun-sung's segment, the two were invited to officially join the cast because of the show's extended time slot.

Shin Ae-ra took over as narrator starting from episode 28. She was approached to join the show because of her reputation as a caring mother in real life.

Kim Jung-tae and his son Yakkung opted to leave the show following controversy of them attending a campaign rally for a local politician. Episode 31 is their last.

Jang Yoon-jung and Do Kyung-wan will be guest cast from episode 32. They will fill the spot left open by the departure of Kim Jung-tae and his son Yakkung. The couple will chronicle the birth of their son.

Jang Hyun-sung's agency announced on June 24, 2014, that the actor and his sons would be leaving the show due to conflicting schedule with filming his drama Ceci Bon and movie Love Wins. He and his family last appearance is episode 33.

Song Il-kook was announced on June 25, 2014, to be joining the cast of Superman along with his triplet sons. Their first episode will air on July 6.

Un-aired X-files

The X-files are film clips that didn't make it to broadcast on the regular program. These clips can be seen on Korean paid subscription web streaming site Cable TV VOD. The clips are narrated by different guests each time, such as Lee Hye-ri from Korean girls idol group Girl's Day.

Sponsors

LG is the main sponsor of the show. All the "Superman" families prominently display or use the LG's S Homeboy tablet made by Samsung throughout each episode. Besides the S Homeboy tablet, each Superman family use or display products they individually endorse on the show.

NOTE: These are only products shown on the show. Not a complete list of each cast member endorsements.

International version

In April 2014, China's Zhejiang Television (ZJTV) began airing a Chinese version of The Return of Superman called Dad is Back starring former Taiwanese boy band Fahrenheit member Wu Chun, film producer Zhong Lei Wang, actor Jia Nailiang, and former gymnast Li Xiapeng. The show is in collaboration with the producers of the Korean KBS version and follows the same concept as the Korean version with the exception of a narrator. The title of the Chinese version was renamed in order to clear up plagiarism rumors. In March 2017, Thailand Channel 7 began airing a Thai version of The Return of Superman called The Return of Superman Thailand. In April 2022, Viettel began airing a Vietnamese version of The Return of Superman called "MẸ VẮNG NHÀ BA LÀ SIÊU NHÂN".