On April 18, 2026, the singer Lee Ji-hye, known to many for her vibrant personality and musical career, peeled back the curtain on her lesser-known past in a candid conversation on the popular YouTube channel ‘Working Mom Lee Hyun-i’. The episode, titled ‘Can I Talk About That? Hot Talk with Beautiful Actresses Lee Ji-hye and Han Ga-in’, quickly drew attention for its honest and often humorous revelations about Lee’s formative years.
Lee Ji-hye, who debuted in 1998 as a member of the group Shop and later married a tax accountant in 2017 (with whom she now has two daughters), has long been associated with her energetic stage presence and relatable talk show appearances. But as she sat down with host Lee Hyun-i and fellow guest Han Ga-in, it became clear that her journey to stardom was anything but conventional.
Reflecting on her school days, Lee described herself as a “very free spirit,” recalling, “I pursued freedom. I wasn’t very planned, and I usually crammed for exams the day before. I never really listened to teachers.” According to OSEN, she added with a laugh, “I would start cramming about three days before a test and still manage to get by.” This nonchalant approach to academics, she explained, was not born of laziness, but rather a desire for autonomy and a certain disregard for rigid structures.
What surprised many viewers was Lee’s admission that she attended the National Gugak High School, a prestigious institution known for producing some of the most prominent figures in the Korean traditional arts scene, including Lee Ha-ni, Han Ye-ri, and Park Eun-young. Entry to the school is highly competitive, requiring not only talent but strong academic credentials. As reported by Xportsnews, Lee Hyun-i remarked, “People know Lee Ji-hye, but not many know she had such an impressive youth.”
Yet, Lee’s time at the elite school was brief. She explained, “I finished middle school and entered high school, but it just didn’t suit my aptitude. I played the geomungo, but I went through a strong puberty phase, so I dropped out.” According to Special Times, she emphasized that while the school was an ‘elite course’, she simply wasn’t a good fit for its strict environment. “It was a prestigious path, but I didn’t match it,” she said, smiling at the memory.
The decision to leave such a renowned institution might have been daunting for many, but Lee’s family played a pivotal role in shaping her next steps. She shared a unique anecdote about her parents’ reactions: “My father was bold and told me to quit if I wanted. My mother, on the other hand, thought it was a shame to stop at just a middle school diploma and suggested I study abroad instead.” As a result, Lee soon found herself heading to Australia to continue her education, a turn of events that would ultimately broaden her horizons and set her on a new path.
Lee’s reflections on this period were tinged with humor and a sense of generational irony. She joked, “I’m suffering from my mother’s curse: ‘May you have a daughter like yourself and raise her.’ I went through a tough puberty, but before that, things were easier.” This lighthearted self-awareness, as reported by OSEN, endeared her even more to viewers, many of whom saw their own adolescent struggles mirrored in her story.
Throughout the conversation, Lee was quick to credit her parents for their support, even as she acknowledged the unconventional nature of her academic trajectory. “My father allowed me to drop out, and my mother encouraged me to pursue overseas education,” she said, according to Sports Chosun. “That’s how I ended up studying in Australia.” The move abroad, though initially prompted by a desire to avoid stagnation after leaving high school, proved to be a formative experience that contributed to her later success.
Lee’s story stands in contrast to the typical narrative of relentless academic pursuit often associated with South Korea’s top schools. Instead, her journey was marked by a willingness to embrace change, defy expectations, and seek fulfillment beyond the confines of traditional success. “I just wasn’t the type to follow instructions or fit into a mold,” she admitted, echoing sentiments that resonate with many young people navigating the pressures of modern education.
As the conversation on ‘Working Mom Lee Hyun-i’ unfolded, it became clear that Lee Ji-hye’s path was shaped as much by her rebellious streak as by her family’s understanding. While her time at National Gugak High School was short-lived, it provided her with valuable insights into her own strengths and limitations. Her decision to leave, far from being a setback, became a springboard to new opportunities, including her eventual debut in the entertainment industry.
Today, Lee Ji-hye is not only a successful singer and television personality but also a mother who reflects on her own upbringing with a mix of amusement and gratitude. Her openness about her past, including the challenges and doubts she faced, offers a refreshing perspective in a culture that often prizes conformity and achievement above all else. As she put it, “Before my tough puberty, things were easier, but I needed that struggle to find out who I really was.”
The episode’s candid discussion struck a chord with viewers, many of whom praised Lee for her honesty and resilience. Her story serves as a reminder that the road to success is rarely linear and that sometimes, the greatest growth comes from stepping off the expected path. With her trademark humor and sincerity, Lee Ji-hye continues to inspire fans—old and new alike—to embrace their own journeys, however unpredictable they may be.
Lee Ji-hye’s revelations on ‘Working Mom Lee Hyun-i’ have not only shed light on her unconventional past but also sparked conversations about the value of self-discovery and the importance of supportive family ties in the face of societal expectations. Her journey, marked by courage and a willingness to forge her own way, stands as a testament to the power of authenticity in both life and career.