Park Sung-woong & Lee Soo-kyung Reunite: Why Family Sitcoms Matter Now

After a decade-long drought, family sitcoms are making a comeback in Korean television. Park Sung-woong and Lee Soo-kyung are reuniting for KBS's upcoming sitcom Cabbage Your Life, and their chemistry at the recent script reading suggests something special is brewing.

The Great Urban Exodus Theme

The show follows a family's journey from bustling city life to rural tranquility—a storyline that couldn't be more timely. Recent script reading photos and videos reveal the natural rapport between Park Sung-woong (fresh from Nine Puzzles) and Lee Soo-kyung (recently seen in Dog Knows Everything), who previously worked together on a KBS sitcom.

This "city escape" narrative mirrors a real global trend. Post-pandemic, millions of families worldwide have reconsidered their living situations. In South Korea alone, over 40,000 people left the Seoul metropolitan area in 2023, seeking slower-paced lives in smaller communities.

Why Family Sitcoms Now?

The timing of this sitcom revival isn't coincidental. Korean television largely abandoned family sitcoms after the High Kick series ended, focusing instead on romantic dramas and thrillers. But pandemic viewing habits changed everything.

Families spending more time together created demand for content everyone could enjoy. Viewers craved lighter, heartwarming stories over heavy, complex narratives. The success of international family-friendly content on streaming platforms proved audiences were hungry for wholesome entertainment.

Lee Soo-kyung's recent versatility in Dog Knows Everything and Park Sung-woong's dramatic range in Nine Puzzles suggest both actors have evolved since their last collaboration. Their reunion brings seasoned performers to a genre that demands both comedic timing and emotional authenticity.

Global Appetite for K-Sitcoms

While K-dramas conquered international markets, sitcoms face unique challenges. Humor doesn't always translate across cultures—what's hilarious in Seoul might fall flat in São Paulo or Stockholm.

Yet Cabbage Your Life tackles universal themes: urban stress, generational conflicts, family bonds, and the search for authentic living. These resonate regardless of geography. Netflix and other global platforms are actively seeking diverse sitcom content, recognizing that family stories transcend cultural boundaries.

The show's rural setting also taps into worldwide conversations about sustainable living, work-life balance, and community connections—topics that gained prominence during the pandemic.