Lee Ji Hyun rejects acting career for her 13-year-old daughter

Lee Ji Hyun, a former member of the group Jewelry, expressed her satisfaction with the intense public interest in her 13-year-old daughter, Seo-yoon, while firmly drawing a line against the possibility of her debuting in the entertainment industry. Despite continuous reactions suggesting her young daughter should pursue acting due to her looks, Lee stated her educational philosophy with a short and clear, “She must study.”

On the 19th, a video titled 'Between Jewelry and Real Life, a Chaotic Record of That Day ♥ | Immortal Songs Behind the Scenes!!' was released on the YouTube channel 'Real-Life Mode Queen Ji-hyun.'

During the video, Lee discussed the reactions to a recent YouTube video she appeared in with her daughter, Seo-yoon. When the production team noted, “The comments are going crazy because Seo-yoon is so pretty,” Lee replied, “I didn't see the comments,” but flashed a pleased smile as the compliments for her daughter continued.

Seo-yoon had previously garnered attention from viewers her age when appearing alongside her mother. In particular, her natural aura and bright expressions became a hot topic online, leading to a wave of praise for her appearance.

When the production team went a step further and mentioned, “There are many reactions telling her to become an actress,” Lee's response was unexpectedly firm.

“No. She must study.”

Lee did not laugh it off, instead drawing a clear line regarding her daughter's entry into the entertainment industry. When the production team countered by bringing up her past, asking, “Didn't you secretly go to auditions back then?” Lee emphasized once again, “She must study.”

This can be interpreted as meaning that her own experience of jumping into the entertainment industry and her daughter's career path are two separate matters. Lee became well-known as a singer while active as a member of Jewelry in the late 1990s, later expanding her career into broadcasting and acting. Having experienced not only the glamour of a celebrity's life but also public scrutiny and professional pressures, she appears to have decided that for her young daughter, academics and personal growth must come first.

Later, Lee shared stories about their children with Park Jung-ah, who was also a member of Jewelry. When the production team once again praised Seo-yoon, saying, “She is so pretty,” Park also marveled, asking, “Why is she so beautiful?”

The two exchanged jokes about which parent Seo-yoon resembles. Park laughed, saying, “Looking at the comments, people are saying I'm the father,” while Lee remarked, “They say she looks like a mix of me and you, Jung-ah.”

In response, Park described Seo-yoon's vibe as "handsome prettiness." This expression suggests that rather than being simply cute and lovely, she possesses distinct features and a unique aura.

The conversation naturally flowed into stories about their children. Lee said, “When Seo-yoon becomes an adult, Jung-ah has agreed to have drinks with her,” adding, “She said she would take her around and teach her how to drink.” She further added, “I'm asking this because I'm not good at drinking.”

Park replied, “Why wouldn't I? I'll do everything for her,” showing her affection for her long-time colleague's daughter. The sight of the two, who formed a bond through Jewelry, now sharing stories about their children after starting their own families, drew natural laughter.

What particularly caught attention in the conversation was how the two, who have been active in the entertainment industry for a long time, view their children's futures. Unlike Park, who continued with friendly jokes while praising Seo-yoon's looks, Lee maintained a clear distance regarding her daughter's entry into the industry.

When a celebrity's child attracts attention for resembling their parent, the possibility of them becoming a "second-generation celebrity" is naturally discussed. However, the actual choice of a career path is a matter that must comprehensively consider the child's own growth process, will, and educational environment. Especially since Seo-yoon is still in her early teens, and public interest itself could become a burden, Lee's reaction of “She must study” clearly demonstrates a parent's stance to prioritize her daughter's daily life and studies at this current stage.

Above all, this topic is a moment where Lee's past and her daughter's present seem to overlap. While she herself jumped into the entertainment industry from a young age and grew into a star, she has judged that for her daughter, school life and the process of growing up come before the path of standing before the public.

A mother with a glamorous entertainment career and a daughter who is said to resemble her. Lee has chosen her daughter's growth as a teenager over the expectations of being a "second-generation celebrity." While online interest has led to suggestions of an acting debut, Lee's stance remains clear: “No. She must study.”