Former Nine Muses member Keumjo, now performing as Lee Keum Jo, announced on Friday, February 14, 2026, that she is expecting her first child. The announcement was made via an Instagram post, accompanied by photos of herself and her husband, musical theater actor Baek Ki-beom, and ultrasound images.
Keumjo shared a deeply personal account of her journey to pregnancy, revealing that she and Baek Ki-beom had been trying since April of the previous year. She described a period of questioning, given their good health, and a moment of emotional appeal to her late father. “I developed a habit of texting my dad, even though I knew there was no way he could reply,” she wrote. “We started trying in April, but our baby didn’t come easily. We’re both perfectly healthy, so we kept wondering why. Just as I was beginning to feel a little exhausted, I asked my dad for the first time: ‘Dad, aren’t you sorry for leaving me behind and going alone? Then please send me a baby.’ And on December 17, my birthday, I found out I was pregnant, like a gift, with those two lines.”
The couple has affectionately nicknamed their unborn son “Parang,” meaning “Papa’s love.” Keumjo also expressed a long-held wish for a son who resembles Baek Ki-beom, stating, “It’s also been my favorite color for a long time. And I’ve always hoped my first child would be a son who resembles Seongjae oppa—so maybe that wish added a little extra touch?” Genetic testing confirmed the baby’s sex.
Keumjo and Baek Ki-beom married in 2022. Fans and colleagues have responded to the announcement with congratulatory messages, according to reports. Keumjo previously performed as part of the South Korean girl group Nine Muses and its sub-unit, Nine Muses A. Baek Ki-beom has appeared in numerous musical theater productions, including ‘High School Musical,’ ‘Bachelor’s Vegetable Store,’ and ‘Hamlet.’
Keumjo indicated that she is due in August, expressing her hope for a healthy delivery “in the fresh, green month of August.”
