Cha In-pyo reveals 1987 diary on MBC's Playlist 109, recalling move to US after parents' divorce

Actor Cha In-pyo brought a real diary from 1987 to the set of MBC's 오늘을 버틴 노래-플레이리스트 109. What's inside it is the kind of personal disclosure that makes for genuinely compelling television.

Episode 4 of the show, also known as 플리109, airs Tuesday, August 11 at 9 PM on MBC. Cha In-pyo appears as the guest, joining the three MCs: Lee Seok-hoon, Lee Jun, and DinDin.

On the episode, Cha In-pyo recalls having to leave for the United States with his mother and siblings after his parents divorced when he was a child. He pulls out the 1987 diary—written at the time—which contains his honest feelings from that period and identifies the song that helped him get through it.

MC Lee Jun made it personal before the conversation even started. "I was greatly influenced by senior Cha In-pyo," he said, then went further: "I want to become Little Cha In-pyo." Cha In-pyo's response landed simply—"My life as an entertainer was worthwhile. There was someone who followed me."

(A 39-year-old diary as a primary source is a rare move for a variety show.)

플레이리스트 109 is structured as a nationwide project collecting personal "supporting songs"—tracks that helped people get back up during hard times—with the goal of building a final playlist of 109 songs.