Pyo In-bong's 26-year-old daughter reveals fan once followed her home

Pyo Baha, daughter of Pyo In-bong. [MBN "Teukjong Sesang"]

Pyo In-bong, a pastor and former comedian, has drawn attention after introducing his 26-year-old daughter to viewers. His daughter, Pyo Baha, has grown into a lead musical actor — and she opened up about being followed home by an obsessive fan.

Thursday's episode of MBN's "Teukjong Sesang" followed Pyo's daily life, including baking and distributing food to homeless people near Seoul Station, and featured a special segment with his only daughter, Pyo Baha, who has grown up considerably since her last public appearance.

Pyo Baha, born after her parents endured multiple miscarriages, appeared alongside her father on various entertainment programs as a child and won widespread affection from viewers. Three years ago, however, she declared her independence and moved out.

"I was depressed for an entire month," Pyo recalled. "Tears would fall even while I was eating. I wish I had more children, but she's my only child, so the emptiness felt even greater."

That day, Pyo and his wife visited the Daehangno theater district to watch their daughter perform in a comedy musical.

Seeing her on stage as a lead — having made her debut three years ago — Pyo said with pride: "In the past, she was known as 'Pyo Baha, daughter of Pyo In-bong.' Now I feel like I'm living as 'Pyo In-bong, father of Pyo Baha.'"

Pyo In-bong, a pastor and former comedian. [Captured from YouTube channel "CGN"]

When Pyo Baha returned to the family home for the first time in a while, Pyo In-bong personally prepared a meat banchan dish to show his affection.

"Should I pack you a dosirak and bring it over?" he offered.

His expression darkened, however, when Pyo Baha confessed that a fan had once followed her to her apartment.

She said the fan had approached her after a performance, saying, "It's dark out and I'm worried about you getting home safely" — but added that the person had not returned after that incident.

"Baha is handling a lot of difficult things well," Pyo said. "As a father, my biggest concern is whether she's safe living on her own."

He then suggested she move back home, but Pyo Baha refused firmly.

"People around me would say, 'It looks like she's riding on her father's coattails,'" she said. "Even when I passed a public audition fair and square, some people looked at my background before my ability."

She added that the label "Pyo In-bong's daughter" had followed her since childhood. "Part of why I keep trying to stand on my own is to shake that off," she said.

yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com