Lee Jung-hyun’s Luxury Kitchen Tour Sparks Online Backlash Amid Economic Hardship
On the June 20 episode of KBS2’s “Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant,” actress Lee Jung-hyun unveiled her new residence.
Highlights included a spacious living room, a kids’ room with a slide, and most notably, a state-of-the-art kitchen equipped with a six-seat dining area, bar counter, and a custom-made 80cm Hinoki cutting board. Lee joked that she even slept with the cutting board on her first night because she loved the scent so much.
The biggest talking point was her “30-year wish” a professional-grade iron griddle custom-made at a factory. Lee explained, “I’ve dreamed of having this griddle for 30 years. We installed four exhaust fans and redesigned the entire kitchen ceiling to accommodate it.”
On forums and social media, viewers expressed fatigue and annoyance over what they see as yet another instance of celebrity “luxury flaunting.”
“Another celebrity showing off their house. So tired of it,” wrote one user.
Advertisement“These kinds of segments are just alienating for people who can’t even afford rent,” said another.
Some pointed out the absurdity of Lee owning over 30 cutting boards, mocking, “That’s a few million won just in cutting boards,” and “That’s more than a month’s salary for an average worker.”
Lee Jung-hyun isn’t alone. In recent months, celebrities like Kim Jong-kook, Park Soo-hong, and Jeong Dong-won have all revealed details of their high-end homes. While such features may once have evoked admiration, they are increasingly drawing ire amid South Korea’s soaring housing prices and economic instability.
Currently, the average apartment price in Seoul exceeds ₩1.1 billion KRW, while even the wider metro area averages above ₩900 million KRW. For many young adults and newlyweds, home ownership is now viewed as a distant dream. Meanwhile, personal debt and small business loan defaults have surged, with ₩13.2 trillion KRW in overdue loans reported in Q1 2025 alone.
While celebrities’ wealth may be earned through talent and hard work, it also stems from public support. In times of economic hardship, sensitivity and empathy become even more vital.