Broadcaster Lee Hye-sung opens up about distress following pro-Japanese remarks controversy

Former KBS announcer Lee Hye-sung revealed on the 25th that she experienced emotional distress following a controversy over remarks linked to Oh Ha-young. The controversy began on the 20th when Lee introduced a book by Michael Sandel that addressed philosophical questions regarding the responsibility of descendants for the wrongdoings of their ancestors.

Lee Hye-sung, a broadcaster and former KBS announcer, has opened up about the emotional distress she endured following a recent controversy regarding "pro-Japanese advocacy." She revealed that even after clarifying that her remarks were conveyed differently from her original intent, the unexpected controversy disrupted her daily life. Expressing gratitude to the subscribers who reached out to her during this difficult time, Lee stated that she hopes her YouTube channel can serve as a warm shelter for those who are exhausted.

On the 25th, Lee posted a long message to the community of her YouTube channel, Lee Hye-sung's 1% Book Club. She indirectly conveyed her feelings following the controversy, stating, "Recently, unexpected and unimaginable things happened, so I think I experienced a daily life that was not very peaceful."

In particular, she revealed that she received deep comfort from subscribers who responded to her request for help via a pinned comment. "When I asked for help in the pinned comment, so many people rushed to my side," Lee said. "I felt a warmth that was like family. It was a warmth like home." She explained that while she was caught in an unexpected online controversy, the reactions of those who believed in and encouraged her provided great strength.

She also noted that through this experience, she realized anew the existence of people who empathize with the pain of others. "Through this incident, I learned that there are many warm-hearted people by my side who feel compassion for others," Lee said, adding that she hopes her channel becomes a space where anyone can stay comfortably. She continued, "I often hear that the world is a harsh place, but I hope our channel can be a space like a bonfire where anyone can come to warm their frozen bodies."

She also shared her daily life from a day when her heart was heavy. "On a day when my heart was a bit heavy, I woke up early in the morning. I wanted to see the miracle of the darkness slowly turning into a bright dawn," she recalled. Mentioning Helen Keller's book "Three Days to See," she explained that she newly realized the value of an ordinary daily life. She described feeling as if a miracle was blooming in her heart the moment she climbed a small hill to watch the rising sun.

Lee stated, "I realized anew how precious the moments of daily life, which I had taken for granted, truly are." She repeated her gratitude, saying, "The comments and support from subscribers, and Helen Keller's book 'Three Days to See,' saved me." Moving a step beyond a direct clarification of the controversy, she reflected on the meaning of the book and the people who supported her.

The controversy arose on the 20th when Lee introduced Michael Sandel's book "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" on her YouTube channel. She addressed philosophical questions regarding how far descendants should be held responsible for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. Although she did not mention specific names at the time, the content included themes reminiscent of actress Oh Ha-young, who faced controversy regarding the pro-Japanese activities of her great-grandfather, leading to criticism from some viewers.

As the controversy grew, Lee provided a direct clarification via social media on the 21st. "I never made a statement of personal conviction," she explained, clarifying that the problematic sentence was not her own opinion but a quotation of a question appearing in Michael Sandel's book. She drew a line, stating, "I have never advocated for pro-Japanese activities, nor have I expressed the opinion that we must atone for the sins of our ancestors." She explained that the intent of the video was to introduce a discussion on the importance of not ignoring historical responsibility.

In a pinned YouTube comment, Lee expressed her frustration that only parts of the video were highlighted, causing it to be conveyed differently from her original intention, saying, "Everyone, please help me. I hope you watch the video until the end." She noted that the philosophical questions and discussions on historical responsibility covered in the book were accepted as if they were her personal claims. Following this, support from subscribers poured in, and in this recent expression of her feelings, she repeatedly emphasized the comfort she received from them.

Oh Ha-young became embroiled in controversy in August when the pro-Japanese activities of her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, were revealed. Subsequently, she expressed remorse for her ignorance of history and her thoughtless words and actions through a handwritten apology, and suspended her activities, including voluntarily withdrawing from a subsequent season of the Netflix series "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call." In a situation where debates over historical responsibility continue, Lee Hye-sung's reading content also became a subject of controversy regarding intent and interpretation.

Lee Hye-sung's recent post focused on the psychological burden she experienced during the process and her gratitude toward those who supported her, rather than re-refuting the controversy itself. As historical responsibility and past history are socially sensitive topics, it is important to fully examine the context of statements. Amidst the controversy surrounding her, Lee is attempting to regain the peace of her daily life and has indicated her intention to continue her daily routine through communication with her subscribers.

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