Appearing on Jung Jae-hyung’s YouTube channel “Fairy Jae-hyung” on April 27, Lee Young-ae shared heartwarming and candid stories about her family and career.
When asked if she had told her children about her appearance on the show, Lee Young-ae responded, “My daughter is 15 years old now. She was really excited and even skimmed through the show during lunch today.”
She laughingly added that her daughter often points out her mistakes, saying, “She’s at that age where she goes back and forth between being sweet and being critical.”
Lee Young-ae further explained that her once private lifestyle changed dramatically after she became a parent. “When I lived in Yangpyeong, about 50 people would gather at our home. It was overwhelming. Eventually, I just gave up trying to maintain a mysterious image,” she said. Her friends were surprised, asking her, “Are you sure? You were known for being so mysterious!” but Lee Young-ae decided to embrace a more open lifestyle.
Reflecting on her early career, Lee Young-ae recalled that her debut came through a “Two You” Orion chocolate commercial with Andy Lau. She said, “I was 19 at the time and wasn’t planning on becoming an actress. I just wanted to make some money for tuition.” Even during the commercial shoot, she worked part-time selling Valentine’s Day chocolates at a department store.
She revealed that her contract explicitly stated that her identity was not to be disclosed, leading to a sense of mystery around her early appearances. Lee Young-ae also shared that she almost debuted as a singer but declined the opportunity out of fear, noting that, “Back then, the idol industry wasn’t as big as it is now, and it felt much riskier.”
Coming from a strict and conservative family, Lee Young-ae emphasized that she only pursued a full-fledged entertainment career after graduating from university.
Known affectionately as the “Oxygen Lady,” Lee Young-ae expressed gratitude for the title, saying, “I’m thankful to have a nickname that feels uniquely mine.” Reflecting on her iconic works like Dae Jang Geum and Lady Vengeance, she said, “I’m grateful for the love these projects received, far beyond my own efforts.”
When asked about marriage, Lee Young-ae shared, “In my twenties, I made a promise to myself to stay grounded and not be easily swayed. I wanted to build deep roots to maintain a long career.”
Lee Young-ae married businessman Jung Ho-young, 21 years her senior, in 2009 and gave birth to twins, a son and daughter, in 2011.