Lee Yun-joung rejects rumors she grew up wealthy, says she became a stylist to make a living

Singer Lee Yun-joung, formerly of Pippi band, has rejected the perception that she grew up wealthy because her father was a four-term lawmaker. She said she attended school by changing public transport several times and did not make much money from music, despite the attention drawn by her bold sound and distinctive fashion.

Lee appeared on YouTube channel Mipji Aneun Gwanjong Eonni on the 15th, speaking with Lee Ji-hye and Kim Mi-ryeo about her career as a singer and her later move into styling. Her father is Lee Kyung-jae, a former chairman of the Korea Communications Commission who served four terms in the National Assembly.

Lee studied ballet as a child and entered Seoul Arts High School. After injuring her back in her third year of high school, she changed direction and applied to a department of theater and film without telling her father. She recalled that when he found out, he cut her hair; she then went to a salon herself and shaved her head.

“So many of the stories that have been made public are distorted,” Lee said. “I grew up in a really ordinary family and never lived rich.” Recalling her time at Seoul Arts High School, she said, “There were lots of sons and daughters of wealthy families at Seoul Arts High School. Foreign cars were outside the school, but I left at 6 a.m. and changed buses and trains three or four times to get there.”

After her shaved-head look and distinctive fashion drew notice, Lee entered the music scene through an unexpected opportunity. She debuted as the vocalist of Pippi band, whose unconventional sound and performances challenged the conventions of mainstream pop and made the group stand out. Lee also built a reputation as an artist with a strong individual style.

Lee said the attention did not translate into substantial earnings. “I remember earning money from music only when I did clubs or performances and got 200,000 won each time; I don’t think there was any other big income,” she said.

After working as a solo singer, Lee said she began working as a stylist to make a living. She also expanded into fashion, styling and music production. Lee debuted as Pippi band’s vocalist in 1995 and has continued working across fields, rather than being confined to one image.

Read the original (Korean)