Lee Da-hae rents 5-billion-won Shanghai home due to local laws

Actress Lee Da-hae revealed that the high-end residence she lives in in Shanghai, China, is a rental rather than her own property. Although the house is valued at approximately 5 billion won, she explained that she cannot own it immediately due to local housing purchase requirements for foreigners. Even with significant financial resources, China's real estate system, which requires meeting certain residency and tax obligations, demonstrates a residential reality different from that of Korea.

Lee appeared on the tvN STORY variety program 'Table Tales' broadcast on the 14th, sharing stories about her activities in China and her life in Shanghai.

The starting point of her activities in China was the drama 'My Girl.' Lee stated, "I once filmed the drama 'My Girl,' and it received a lot of love in China. Because of that, I went to China to film about three dramas."

The SBS drama 'My Girl,' broadcast in 2005, is one of the representative works that propelled Lee to stardom in Korea. This work, which featured chemistry with actors such as Lee Dong-wook and Lee Joon-gi, not only gained high popularity in Korea but also drew attention overseas in conjunction with the spread of Hallyu (Korean Wave) content. For Lee, 'My Girl' remains a work that served as a bridge leading to her subsequent activities in China, beyond being a simple hit.

She explained that her local activities in China were not limited to one-off projects. "Before I became pregnant, I think I spent at least one-third of every year in China," she said, adding, "I have a company and a house there." This means that while building a certain business and activity foundation in China, she has made Shanghai her long-term living area.

In particular, the new home in Shanghai revealed by Lee last year drew attention for its considerable scale and luxurious interior. As the price of the residential space revealed at the time was known to be around 5 billion won, it was accompanied by the descriptor 'ultra-luxury Shanghai home.' However, Lee clearly stated on this day that the house is not her own but a rental.

She said, "I still cannot buy it." The reason was not simply a matter of funds.

According to Lee's explanation, in China, if a person moves to Shanghai from another city or if a foreigner purchases local housing, they must meet certain requirements such as paying social insurance and fulfilling residency and tax obligations. She explained, "In Korea, we have the four major insurances, right? There, they call it social insurance. Even if foreigners or Chinese citizens come to Shanghai from other cities, even if they have money and want to buy a house, they cannot buy it."

She added, "You can only buy it if you have stayed in Shanghai and lived as a resident while paying taxes. It should be possible around next year."

In effect, the 'qualification to purchase' becomes a prerequisite for homeownership rather than the real estate price itself. Major cities in China have applied different housing purchase qualifications and ownership requirements by region and period to suppress real estate speculation and stabilize the housing market. Shanghai also has certain restrictions on housing acquisition by outsiders and foreigners, so it is not a structure where one can buy a house immediately just by securing the purchase funds.

If so, how much is the monthly rent for the house where Lee resides? She revealed, "That is currently a 5-billion-won price. The monthly rent is about 6 million won now."

Instead of purchasing a house worth 5 billion won, she is living there by paying approximately 6 million won per month. Converted to an annual amount, the rent alone reaches about 72 million won. While this is a significant amount by general residential standards in Korea, for Lee, who must maintain a residential base while working in China for long periods, renting may be a more realistic choice than owning.

At this point, Pak Se-ri asked whether it is possible to invest in interior design costs for a house that is not owned. Lee replied, "I didn't spend much on the interior. I worked with a custom furniture company."

Rather than spending large sums to change the structure of the expensive house itself, it appears she utilized custom furniture to match her lifestyle.

Lee's life in Shanghai also draws attention because the way Hallyu stars conduct overseas activities is changing. While the overseas activities of Hallyu actors in the past were carried out for short periods centered around drama filming and promotions, recently, cases of staying in local markets for long periods while paralleling business and content activities are increasing.

Lee has also maintained continuous contact with the Chinese market while working as an actress in Korea. The local recognition gained through 'My Girl' led to her subsequent appearances in Chinese dramas, and by establishing a base in China, she represents an example of how the scope of Hallyu stars has expanded from mere 'overseas filming' to maintaining 'multiple living spheres.'

There have also been changes in her personal life. Lee married Choi Dong-wook in 2023 after dating for seven years. The couple married after a long period of public dating and is currently reported to be expecting.

While changes in her life are expected following her marriage and pregnancy, the foundation she has built in China and her residence in Shanghai remain a significant part of her life. In particular, contrary to the superficial buzz of 'living in a 5-billion-won house,' the revelation that she is actually renting provides a surprising look into the living conditions of overseas stars.

Ultimately, Lee's Shanghai home cannot be viewed simply as an 'ultra-luxury 5-billion-won residence.' It encompasses the local real estate regulations that prevent ownership despite wealth, the choice of rental housing to support long-term overseas activities, and her journey of expanding her reach from a Hallyu actress to a resident of the Chinese market.