Jae-si takes leave of absence three days before New York departure

Jae-si, daughter of former soccer player Lee Dong-gook, has revealed the reason behind her decision to take a leave of absence just three days before her scheduled departure to a campus in New York, United States. While she originally aimed to graduate as quickly as possible, she decided it would be better to gain more social experience in South Korea and solidify her career path before heading abroad. Additionally, the rapid rise in exchange rates and the high cost of living in New York acted as significant realistic burdens.

On the 16th, Jae-si explained the background of her changed academic plans in a video titled "I took a leave of absence" on her YouTube channel, "What Time Is It, Jae-si?"

Jae-si first clarified, "I graduated. Not officially, but I graduated from the Korean campus. I was scheduled to go to the New York campus to study for two more years, but I took a leave of absence instead"

Regarding her past two years of university life, she assessed herself by saying, "I studied really hard and received good grades. I have lived my life diligently in my own way." She explained that she did not stop her studies due to poor grades or a change in academic plans, but rather chose to delay her scheduled enrollment at the New York campus.

Jae-si had not considered a leave of absence from the beginning. On the contrary, she had aimed to graduate sooner than anyone else. Having entered university at the relatively early age of 18, she could have completed her studies at the New York campus by age 22 if she had followed her original plan.

However, her perspective changed over time. "I entered school at 18, starting about two years earlier than other students," Jae-si said. "I felt that if I went to New York immediately, I would miss out on experiences I could only have in South Korea, essentially spending those two years just in New York."

She determined that starting earlier than her peers was not necessarily an advantage. Most of her classmates were older than her. "Most of my peers are older than me," she noted, adding that her family also advised her not to rush her move to New York.

The logic presented by her family was quite practical: New York would always be there, so there was no need to rush now. They suggested it would not be too late to leave after gaining various experiences in South Korea and clearly defining her direction.

Jae-si confessed that she could not accept this advice at the time. She insisted on leaving, thinking, "I don't care, I'm just going to New York." However, her mind changed just before her departure. "Then, I suddenly felt it would be okay to gain more social experience for a year before going," she said.

In essence, she chose experience over immediate academic progression. For Jae-si, who has been following an accelerated educational path since age 18, this one-year period appears to be more than just a "break," but a grace period to reassess her career and life direction.

Economic reality was also a decisive factor. "The exchange rate was rising crazily at the time," Jae-si said. "I felt that if I went to New York in that state, it would ruin my family's finances."

She added, "As the eldest daughter, I couldn't bear to see that happen." This implies she considered the significant economic burden her move could place on her family, beyond just her own tuition costs.

New York is known as one of the most expensive cities in the United States, where international students face continuous costs for housing, transportation, and food in addition to tuition. Exchange rate fluctuations, in particular, directly impact families paying in Korean won. While her comment about "ruining the family finances" may be a colloquial exaggeration, it clearly shows she was acutely aware of the economic burden of a long-term stay abroad.

"Everything in New York, including rent, is so expensive," Jae-si said. "After agonizing over it, I decided to take a year off before going." She joked about her current status, saying, "Now, I've become unemployed."

However, Jae-si's declaration of being "unemployed" should not be viewed as a lack of planning. She has not abandoned her intended studies but has adjusted the timing, leaving the possibility open to move to the New York campus after gaining social experience in South Korea for a year.

Previously, her mother, Lee Soo Jin, also spoke about Jae-si's leave of absence and her independent life. Lee Soo Jin revealed on the 9th that after deciding to take a leave of absence just three days before her New York departure, Jae-si began living independently in Seoul.

"I always told her she must live on her own once she becomes an adult, but when she actually said she was going to live independently, tears flowed," Lee confessed.

A parent's role changes when a child reaches adulthood. It shifts from protecting them and making choices for them to watching them make their own judgments and handle the consequences. Lee Soo Jin viewed Jae-si's leave of absence not merely as a change in academic plans, but as a process of independence and self-reliance.

In particular, Lee mentioned that since Jae-si entered university two years early, she advised her to use her time and money for various experiences rather than rushing to graduate. This aligns with the reasons Jae-si shared in her video.

Another notable aspect of Jae-si's choice is her re-evaluation of "speed." Entering university at a young age and graduating early is often seen as a metric of success. However, a fast graduation does not always guarantee the best career path. Experiences outside of academics, social life, relationships, and career exploration can also be vital assets in determining one's direction as an adult.

Jae-si originally had a specific goal of graduating at age 22. Now, instead of rushing to graduate, she has decided to make this one year her own. She has chosen the experiences she needs over academic achievement that is faster than others.

Jae-si's independence also marks a new chapter for the family of Lee Dong-gook. Lee Dong-gook and Lee Soo Jin are a prominent family who have shared their daily lives with the public, and Jae-si has been known to the public since childhood through KBS 2TV's "The Return of Superman." As Jae-si, who grew up alongside her siblings on television, reaches a point where she is stepping out from her family's protection to manage her own life, this decision represents another milestone in her growth narrative.

However, Jae-si has not given up on going to New York. Her current plan is to gain social experience in South Korea for about a year before deciding whether and when to study abroad again. Therefore, it is inappropriate to conclude that this leave of absence is a withdrawal from studying in the United States or an abandonment of her studies.

Rather, this decision is closer to choosing "properly" over "quickly." Having started two years earlier than her peers, she is stepping away from the pressure to finish faster than everyone else to re-examine her career and living conditions.

Economic reasons also played a crucial role. Considering the financial burden on her family, she recalculated her options, leading to the decision to take a one-year leave. This was coupled with her sense of responsibility as the eldest daughter not wanting to add to her family's burden.

Jae-si is currently building a new daily life through independent living in South Korea. Instead of the scheduled move to New York, she plans to gain the social and practical experiences she has not yet had.

Ultimately, the decision to take a leave of absence just three days before departure is not a sudden surrender, but rather a signal that she has begun to direct her own life. More important than the plan to finish university at 22 is her judgment of what experiences to have and what direction to live in.

Jae-si's goal has shifted from "going to New York quickly" to "going when she is prepared." Her one-year leave of absence is expected to be a time for her to first decide her own pace and choices as an adult, rather than a mere gap in her education.