Kim Sook Asks, “A Daughter Marrying at My Age?” Lee Young-pyo Says, “That Kind of Misfortune Must Not Happen”

On the June 7 broadcast of the KBS 2TV variety program “The Boss Has Donkey Ears,” Korean comedian Lee Kyung-kyu opened up about the complicated feelings he has toward his daughter, Lee Ye-rim.

Former national team soccer player Lee Young-pyo also spoke frankly about the concerns he has as the father of a college-age daughter. He revealed, “My eldest daughter is currently a third-year university student.” Hearing the story from Lee, who is the same age as him, broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo made a bitter expression and said, “He is the same age as me.” The remark carried extra weight because Jeon has not only never had children, but has not married at all.

Model Lee Hyun-yi then asked Lee Young-pyo, “How do you think you would feel if your daughter brought home a boyfriend and said, ‘Dad, I have met someone I love’?”

Lee Young-pyo answered with a notably conservative stance. “I think it would still be difficult for me to accept,” he said. “She needs to focus more on her studies. I am not emotionally ready yet. I need time until my heart is ready.”

By coincidence, the studio that day brought together several fathers who have daughters. Park Myung-soo, known there as Minseo’s father, and Lee Kyung-kyu, Ye-rim’s father, both appeared to deeply sympathize with what Lee Young-pyo was saying.

Speaking further about the idea of his daughter getting married, Lee Young-pyo said, “Recently, there has been a lot of news around me about the children of friends getting married. In particular, many of them are sending off their daughters in marriage. When I go to the wedding hall and look at the groom, I get angry.” His continued conservative reaction turned the studio, filled with fathers raising daughters, into a sea of laughter.

Kim Sook pushed the joke even further, asking, “When would you finally feel at ease? At what age should she get married? Would it be all right if she were around my age?” Lee Young-pyo immediately waved his hands in refusal and replied, “That kind of misfortune must not happen.”

Lee Kyung-kyu, who has already seen his daughter Lee Ye-rim get married, wore a bittersweet expression as he said, “A child is only your child while you are raising them.” He then made a gesture as if wiping away tears.

Lee Ye-rim married soccer player Kim Young-chan in 2021.