Lee Kye-in leaves Yeouido for countryside life: 'I am not lonely'

Actor Lee Kye-in has revealed his new life living amidst nature in Namyangju after settling his urban residence. Although he spends a significant amount of time alone in a house featuring a large yard of approximately 400 pyung and a chicken coop, he expressed satisfaction with his lifestyle, stating, "I don't feel lonely at all."

On the 26th, a video titled "74-Year-Old Younger Brother Lee Kye-in's Country Diaries (+450-Pyung Land Reveal)" was released on the YouTube channel 'Kim Young-ok.' In the video, Kim Young-ok personally visited Lee Kye-in's countryside home in Namyangju to tour the house and the yard.

Upon entering the house, Kim Young-ok expressed continuous admiration while examining the spacious area and the surrounding environment. In particular, the substantial scale of the land and garden caught her eye, prompting interest in Lee Kye-in's way of life.

Lee Kye-in explained that he does not currently live with his wife. He revealed that while his wife travels to and from the Namyangju house, she primarily stays in Ilsan with their children because the countryside lifestyle does not emotionally suit her.

He also disclosed the process of moving his residence. Lee Kye-in explained, "I sold my Yeouido home and moved to Ilsan," noting that he maintains a separation between his family's living environment and his own countryside life.

However, he does not view his solitary life as a lonely existence. Lee Kye-in explained his daily routine relatively calmly, saying, "There is no feeling of being lonely at all." He mentioned that during times when he is not working, he visits the chicken coop to check on the chickens, and at night, he spends his time watching TV or talking on the phone with his family.

For him, an actor who has lived centered around people and film sets for a long time, life in nature has become a different rhythm of living. He is structuring his daily life by stepping back from glamorous city life and constant social relationships to possess a space and living beings that he can care for.

During the process of touring the yard with Kim Young-ok, Lee Kye-in's unique tastes were also revealed. He introduced a large stone situated on one side of the yard, calling it the "Son Stone." Lee Kye-in drew laughter when he revealed he purchased it for a considerable amount of money, claiming, "It is said to be effective for people who cannot have sons."

Lee Kye-in is a veteran actor who has been active across broadcasting, film, and theater stages since the 1970s. He has left a deep impression on the public with character acting utilizing his strong personality and rugged impression, and has steadily appeared through dramas and variety shows. Recently, as his humble daily life of being close to nature and animals has been revealed, a human side different from his image as an actor is being highlighted.

The eye-catching aspect of this video is not merely the external scale of a "450-pyung mansion." After settling his urban home and separating his living space from his family's, Lee Kye-in chose a pace of life that suits him by personally managing a large yard and a chicken coop.

As one ages, the meaning of a living space becomes difficult to explain solely by the scale or price of the real estate. While a countryside house is a dream for some after retirement, for Lee Kye-in, it is closer to a living space where he recovers his own time by escaping the repetitive urban daily life and caring for nature and animals.

The life in Namyangju chosen by the 74-year-old actor is closer to a life filled in his own way rather than a glamorous retirement. Through the simple repetition of walking the wide yard, checking the chicken coop, talking to family, and watching TV, Lee Kye-in explained his present with the words, "I am not lonely." Ultimately, what he revealed was not the size of the house, but another landscape of life for an actor finding a form of living that suits him.