Lee Hyori Opens Up About Depression After Relocating to Seoul: “Even My Dogs Went Sick”
Appearing in Episode 80 of the YouTube series TteunTteun, K-pop icon Lee Hyori candidly reflected on her difficult adjustment to city life.
“I moved to Seoul with my five dogs, and right after, two of them started getting sick,” she said. “I don’t know if it was because of the move, but I felt like we had done something wrong. I cried all the time, asking, ‘Is this really the right decision? Should we go back?’”
Though the couple eventually adapted, Lee revealed that she initially felt isolated. “It wasn’t just moving from one city to another—it was hard,” she said. “We even chose a house near the mountains for the dogs. They’re all over ten years old now. If they were still young and energetic, I don’t think we could’ve come.”
During this tough period, Lee admitted to feeling bouts of sadness. “When I’d tell my husband that I was depressed and wanted to go back to Jeju, he’d say, ‘Wanna go to the department store?’” she joked. “There’s no department store in Jeju.”
She went on to recount a particularly memorable moment. After Lee Sang-soon secured his DJ role on MBC FM4U’s A Perfect Day with Lee Sang-soon, he surprised her. “Right after he got paid for his first three months, he said he wanted to buy me a Chanel bag,” she said, adding that before moving to Jeju, she had gotten rid of all her designer items.
With the help of fashion stylist Han Hye-yeon, Lee made a reservation and visited the Shinsegae Department Store in Gangnam. “You can’t just walk into the Chanel store—you need an appointment,” she explained. “We went together, and he even dressed up for the occasion. When he handed me that big Chanel bag, I actually felt excited.”
Lee confessed that luxury goods never used to impress her. “I even have a song with lyrics that say, ‘What’s the big deal about luxury brands?’” she laughed. “I owe an apology. When I rode the escalator and saw my reflection with that bag, I was glowing. I was sparkling.”
The segment drew laughter and admiration from co-host Yoo Jae-suk, who praised Lee Sang-soon for his stylish and sincere gesture.