In Episode 439 of My Little Old Boy, fans got to witness a surprising — and heartwarming — new side of Kim Jong Kook as he formed an unexpected bond with an AI robot baby.

Known for his strong, traditional values and a famously “analog” lifestyle, Kim Jong Kook is usually cautious when it comes to embracing new technology. However, during a visit to fellow cast member Kim Seung Soo’s high-tech smart home, Jong Kook found himself stepping into a world completely foreign to him — one filled with state-of-the-art sensors, automated living spaces, and, most notably, a lifelike AI robot baby.

At first, Jong Kook was visibly skeptical and a little awkward around the tiny AI figure, which adorably called him “Dad” and interacted with him like a real child. But as the minutes passed, something unexpected happened: Jong Kook’s natural warmth and affectionate side took over. He couldn’t help but smile, coo, and even play along with the AI baby, much to the amusement of the other cast members watching via the studio screens.

The contrast between Kim Seung Soo’s ultra-modern lifestyle and Jong Kook’s more old-school habits led to plenty of laughter. Seung Soo proudly showed off his smart home’s capabilities, such as voice-activated lights and a fully automated kitchen, while Jong Kook fumbled endearingly, often looking for “manual” switches and grumbling about “missing the old ways.”

Yet despite his initial hesitation, the highlight of the episode was undeniably Kim Jong Kook’s touching interaction with the AI robot baby. Viewers noted that his natural paternal instincts kicked in almost immediately — a moment that left not only the cast but also fans online swooning over this softer, more tender side of the “Commander.”

Many netizens flooded social media with comments like,
“Kim Jong Kook would make such a loving dad!”
“Seeing him bond with the AI baby was so heart-melting!”
“Who knew he had such strong dad vibes?”

This episode of My Little Old Boy not only brought out laughter but also showed just how much heart Kim Jong Kook has beneath his tough, athletic exterior. With his playful, affectionate reactions, he reminded everyone that sometimes the most unexpected moments bring out the purest parts of ourselves.