Lee Hye-ri captivates with stunning visuals for SENSE magazine

Actress Lee Hye-ri, formerly of Girl's Day, is expanding her presence across Asia by gracing the cover of a Chinese fashion magazine. Rather than a single pictorial, she revealed three different cover versions, simultaneously showcasing her image transformation as an actress and her potential as a fashion icon.

On the 16th, three cover versions of the September issue of the Chinese fashion magazine 'SENSE', featuring Lee Hye-ri as the cover model, were released. The theme of this pictorial is 'Quiet Contemplation.'

In the photos, rather than putting glamour at the forefront, Lee created a calm atmosphere through restrained expressions and gazes. She varied her image by switching between wavy hair and long straight hair, and while pulling off different styles ranging from neat setups to halterneck dresses, she meticulously adjusted her expressions, poses, and the direction of her gaze to match each outfit.

What is particularly eye-catching is that Lee did not remain confined to her existing bright and friendly image.

During her activities with Girl's Day, Lee made a name for herself with her characteristic bright and healthy energy. As her bright image on stage as a member of an idol group was so strong, a major task following her transition to acting was how to expand that image.

However, Lee has gradually broadened her spectrum by moving between dramas, films, and variety shows. In particular, as an actress, she has shown a trajectory of not being trapped by the label of 'actress from an idol group' by adjusting the depth of her emotions according to her characters.

The 'SENSE' pictorial can also be seen as an extension of such changes.

The concept of 'Quiet Contemplation' requires more from the model's face and gaze than from flashy fashion or intense poses. In line with this concept, Lee created a more mature atmosphere by staring into the camera with a restrained expression rather than revealing excessive emotion.

The fact that she graced the covers of a Chinese fashion magazine with multiple versions also draws attention. As K-pop and K-drama have established themselves as major pillars of Asian popular culture, it is no longer an unfamiliar sight for Korean actors to receive interest from local magazines and fashion brands. Amidst this, Lee is also expanding her sphere of activity by connecting the two domains of actress and fashion model.

Currently, Lee is meeting viewers through the ENA drama 'Dream to You.'

The character Ju I-jae, played by Lee in the drama, is a person living while having forgotten her dreams. However, upon meeting her first love again after 15 years, she undergoes a process of reclaiming her forgotten dreams and love. As the story involves the collision of past and present and the revival of emotions thought to be forgotten, it is a role that requires Lee to demonstrate emotional shifts and inner growth.

The overseas response to the work is also notable.

'Dream to You' ranked number one in Indonesia and Thailand on the global OTT platform Viu during its first week of release and appeared high on the charts in six major Asian countries. This means a foundation has been laid for her to meet Asian viewers directly, rather than being limited to domestic activities.

Lee's trajectory has also become slightly different from the way former idol-turned-actresses used to operate.

In the past, when an idol singer began acting, the important task was to shed the 'singer-turned-actor' label. However, now that the influence of K-pop and K-content is growing, the boundary between actor and singer actually serves as an advantage in the global market. The stardom based on stage experience and the acting skills built through works serve as a channel connecting different markets.

Lee is also expanding her field of activity within this trend.

She shows her face as an actress through dramas while simultaneously building another image through fashion magazine pictorials, and communicates directly with local fans through overseas fan-meetings.

Currently, Lee is also conducting her Asia tour fan-meeting '2026 HYERI ASIA TOUR FANMEETING .' Starting in Hong Kong on the 29th, she is scheduled to meet local fans in Taipei on September 5.

In essence, she is expanding her territory as an actress on screen, a fashion icon in pictorials, and a star who breathes with fans on stage.

The three covers of the Chinese fashion magazine hold more meaning than just the release of a pictorial. This is because they encapsulate the process of transformation from Girl's Day's Lee Hye-ri to actress Lee Hye-ri, and finally to a global star targeting the Asian market.

Lee, who started with a bright and lovely image, is now capturing even a calm and mature side of herself. As time passes, what a star needs is not just creating a new face, but expanding the range of the face they already have.

The 'SENSE' September cover serves as another scene where Lee shows her expanded persona to the Asian public.