Park Myung-soo calls Lee Hyori a "sensational" icon of the last 20 years

Broadcaster Park Myung-soo described singer Lee Hyori as being "more sensational than just beautiful." The comment suggests she is a figure who went beyond mere visual charm to reshape the sensibilities of an era and influence the very flow of popular culture.

During the "Bbaek Ga and Shim Jin-hwa's Honest Opinion" segment of KBS Cool FM's "Park Myung-soo's Radio Show" aired on the 10th, Park made these remarks while discussing Lee's peak era. During the broadcast, a listener identified Lee as their fashion role model from their 20s, recalling the iconic style defined by military pants, combat boots, and crop tops during her "10 Minutes" era.

In response, Park said, "You have to have that specific vibe like Lee Hyori. Many people try but don't have it," adding, "Hyori is more sensational than just beautiful." The evaluation suggests that the singer functioned as a cultural phenomenon that transcended physical beauty.

Shim Jin-hwa also recalled Lee's unrivaled influence, saying, "Back then, just hearing the 'Pa-bam' sound made my heart skip a beat." While Park joked, "It could be arrhythmia, so you should get checked," Shim marveled, "It is amazing that she remains an icon even now." Park agreed, noting, "Her self-management is outstanding."

Lee's symbolism transcends specific trends. Her 2003 solo debut song "10 Minutes" is cited as a landmark case that redefined the image of female solo artists in the music industry. Beyond music, her fashion, choreography, speech, and stage production triggered widespread imitation, creating a distinct cultural signifier known as "Lee Hyori Style."

The fashion of that era, characterized by military pants and crop tops, was more than a passing trend. Instead of the passive, decorative image previously expected of female stars, Lee presented a self-directed and confident persona. The public embraced this fusion of music and fashion, and as these elements have resurfaced in recent years, her past styles continue to be reinterpreted through a modern lens.

Her influence remained strong even after her peak. She expanded her musical range with songs like "U-Go-Girl" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," and built a new public image through her candid personality and unique lifestyle in variety and reality programs. "Hyori's Bed and Breakfast," which showcased her life on Jeju Island, is credited with further expanding her cultural reach by revealing a life far removed from that of a glamorous top star.

The bond between Park and Lee has also endured within the industry. In past broadcasts, Park has consistently expressed his fondness for her, describing her as "a pretty friend with loyalty who has nothing to throw away." Their ability to collaborate across different broadcasting fields is a testament to Lee's widespread public appeal.

Ultimately, Park's use of the word "sensational" seems to describe the influence Lee has accumulated over the last 20 years rather than just her current status. While beauty is subject to changing aesthetic standards, the impact of an individual who reshaped fashion, music, the image of women, and variety show formats is difficult to capture through physical descriptions alone. The fact that the generation that remembers the Lee Hyori of 2003 and the generation watching her today both recognize her as an "icon" proves her lasting legacy.