Grandparents of trot singer Lee Su-yeon reveal: 'We haven't touched a single won of her earnings'

The deep love of grandparents for trot singer Lee Su-yeon has moved the hearts of viewers. As the story of a family that served as a silent pillar of support so that their granddaughter, who lost her father at a young age, could pursue her dreams was revealed, a profound sense of family love was conveyed beyond a simple success story.

In episode 332 of the KBS2 variety program "Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant," which aired on July 30, Lee Su-yeon was shown gifting a special meal to her grandmother using a dish she learned from singer Jang Min-ho.

On this day, Lee Su-yeon visited her grandmother carrying the food she had carefully prepared with Jang Min-ho. While tasting the dish prepared by her granddaughter, the grandmother naturally brought up the special story of how Lee Su-yeon came to walk the path of a singer.

When asked, "How did you end up making Su-yeon a singer?" the grandmother hesitated for a moment.

After glancing at her granddaughter to see if she could speak, she cautiously began, "After Su-yeon's father passed away..."

Lee Su-yeon was only 7 years old when she said goodbye to her father.

Because it was a parting encountered at such a young age, she did not have many memories of her father. Lee Su-yeon shared a faint but warm memory, saying, "I remember he was a prankster. They say I resemble him because I am also a prankster."

The grandmother looked at her granddaughter and thought of her late son.

"He was bright, and even the way she sleeps is exactly the same. Her usual way of walking and her hearty laughter also resemble my son," the grandmother said, eventually tearing up.

In particular, the sorrow of losing her son did not disappear easily.

The grandmother confessed, "My son was very affectionate and was like a daughter. He was a child who would respond 'Yes' whenever his mother said 'Hey.'" She added, "Grandfather might feel left out, but I relied on my son even more."

She continued, "People tell me to forget, but how can I bury it? It hasn't been healed yet. For two years, I suffered from depression and social anxiety."

The time spent having to take responsibility for a young granddaughter while simultaneously grieving the loss of her son was a reality that was difficult for the grandmother to bear.

Her words, "I was worried about how I could care for Su-yeon when I was struggling so much," contained the desperation of a guardian who had to protect a child.

However, it was the young granddaughter, Lee Su-yeon, who made the grandmother smile again.

The grandmother said, "Su-yeon was the laughter virus of our house. After her father left, Su-yeon was the one who comforted me, but I didn't realize that feeling at the time."

She then recalled a special memory.

"Once, while I was doing the laundry, Su-yeon sang the song 'Set Sail.' I laughed without realizing it, and Su-yeon laughed along with me. At that moment, Grandfather said, 'Should we try sending her to Seoul?'"

That moment became the starting point for young Lee Su-yeon to move toward her dream of becoming a singer.

Lee Su-yeon previously drew great attention by singing "You Know My Name," a song Jang Min-ho created while longing for his late father.

This song, which contains the longing for a departed family member, held a special meaning for Lee Su-yeon.

"I absolutely could not listen to that song," the grandmother said. "I would play it secretly at night and cry for three hours. The lyrics touched my heart so deeply."

Within the song sung by her granddaughter, the voice of her departed son and her own pain overlapped.

However, even at a young age, Lee Su-yeon was a source of strength for her grandmother.

The grandmother shared, "When I fall into my emotions, Su-yeon comes and hugs me. She tells me, 'It's okay.'"

She continued, "In a way, Su-yeon and I have swapped roles. Su-yeon is often more mature than me. I endure each day by looking at Su-yeon; one day becomes a year, and one year becomes three years as I hold on."

The grandparents' love was also evident in practical matters.

When Jang Min-ho asked, "How do you manage the income Su-yeon earns from her activities?" the grandmother gave an unexpected answer.

"We save all the income. We write down exactly where and how much came in. We intend to save every single penny until Su-yeon is able to manage money herself."

Jang Min-ho marveled, saying, "That means you haven't touched even a single won of the money Su-yeon earned."

Lee Su-yeon also said, "Since I am okay, whenever I ask them to please let me use it, Grandfather scolds me. He says I cannot."

The grandmother smiled and said, "I decided to buy her a wig when Su-yeon earns a lot of money," but within that, there was a deep love that did not want to place a burden on her granddaughter.

Lee Su-yeon, who lost her father at the age of 7, grew up amidst her family's pain. However, her journey was not defined by sorrow alone; it was shaped by the devotion and love of her grandparents, who sacrificed everything for her.

Lee Su-yeon's story is not merely a trot star's growth story, but a heartwarming family drama showing how a child overcomes scars and pursues her dreams through the power of family love.