Lee Ji-hye addresses controversy over "sweeping up" Sungsimdang bread: "I only handled the payment"

Broadcaster Lee Ji-hye has personally stepped forward to clarify allegations that she purchased a large amount of bread at the famous Daejeon bakery Sungsimdang. While a single photo showing numerous insulated bags lined up on the floor triggered the issue, Lee Ji-hye was not the only person taking the bread. She expressed her frustration by revealing the purchase details, explaining that she only helped with the payment so that the bread could be shared with the filming staff.

On the 14th, Lee Ji-hye posted a screenshot of a post containing the phrase "Controversy over Lee Ji-hye sweeping up Sungsimdang bread without considering those behind her" on her social media (SNS). As the post addressed the controversy surrounding her, she directly stated her position. She did not hide her displeasure, saying, "Sweeping it up? I wonder what the reason is for creating this controversy."

She continued, "I visited Daejeon for filming, and on the way back, I only helped with the payment so that all the staff could each take one." Her claim is that she did not purchase the bread in bulk to monopolize it, but rather paid the cost so that the staff members she filmed with could each take some. Since there was no group photo, Lee Ji-hye even attached a photo of names written on the insulated bags, stating she would directly disclose the real names of those who took the bread.

The revealed photo contains a total of 11 insulated bags. Excluding two roll cakes, the portion for Lee Ji-hye and her husband Moon Jae-wan was 3 bags, while the remaining 6 bags were taken by the filming staff. By providing a detailed explanation of the scene that appeared to be a bulk purchase, she has directly refuted the "sweeping up" criticism directed at her.

The controversy began when Lee Ji-hye posted a photo of her visit to Sungsimdang a day earlier, on the 13th. At the time, Lee Ji-hye shared that she had stood in line to purchase the bread herself, leaving the phrase "It belongs to all of us" along with 11 insulated bags neatly placed on the floor. However, as the quantity of the purchase in the photo caught people's attention, some netizens pointed out that purchasing bread in large quantities at a popular bakery with long waiting lines is an act that lacks consideration for those waiting behind.

On the other hand, counterarguments emerged stating that criticizing based solely on the quantity purchased is excessive. They argued that if she stood in line according to the set procedures and purchased normally, there would be no reason to take issue with the quantity itself. Furthermore, as Lee Ji-hye clarified that she paid to share with the staff, the core of the controversy shifted. While the number of insulated bags was initially the basis for criticism, it has been pointed out that it is difficult to judge the situation based solely on the photo once the actual purpose of the purchase and the distribution details were revealed.

This controversy is also an example of how a single daily life photo of a celebrity can turn into a debate online. While it is easy to judge the intention and context of an action based only on the scene captured in a photo, it is difficult to fully grasp the actual situation from only a part of the revealed image. Lee Ji-hye also responded to the controversy by explaining the specific circumstances of the purchase, emphasizing the difference between the impression of a bulk purchase and the actual purpose of the purchase.

Lee Ji-hye married tax accountant Moon Jae-wan in 2017, and they have two daughters, Tae-ri and Ellie. Having communicated with the public by showing her family's daily life and honest wit through broadcasts and YouTube, she has now made her position clear by directly explaining the controversy surrounding the Sungsimdang bread purchase.

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