On the 300th milestone episode of tvN's popular variety program You Quiz on the Block, South Korean singer and entertainer Lee Hyori gave a rare, heartfelt interview, reflecting on her storied career, personal evolution, and her decision to leave Seoul for Jeju Island with her husband, musician Lee Sang-soon.
"We loved each other but were afraid outside noise might shake that love," Lee said during the broadcast aired Tuesday. "We moved [to Jeju] to protect it."
Long regarded as one of K-pop's most iconic figures, Lee appeared alongside musical writer Park Chun-hyu of Maybe Happy Ending.
In her candid segment, the 45-year-old artist addressed lingering questions about her retreat from the spotlight, while still receiving offers for commercials and television.
"I wonder if I'm really growing musically," she admitted, saying she had been reconnecting with renowned vocalists Kim Bum-soo and Kim Dong-ryul. "Even vocal legends train every day. It made me think, 'Who am I to not practice?'"
Lee, who debuted with Fin. K.L. rose to solo stardom in the late 1990s with hits like "10 Minutes" and "Miss Korea," and said her creative peak came when she directed and produced her own music videos.
"Writing, composing, and directing that gave me confidence," she recalled. "It was proof that my songs could be hits."
Speaking about her personal life, Lee also revealed how marriage altered her perspective.
After marrying Lee Sang-soon in 2013, the couple moved to Jeju Island in an effort to escape the media frenzy and preserve their relationship.
"At the time, I thought it was just to rest," she said. "But looking back, I realize we needed to step away from external distractions to preserve what we had."
Lee added that her husband once asked, "Are you at peace now?" when suggesting the idea of returning to Seoul, indicating their time on Jeju had brought much-needed healing.
She also spoke about her past struggles with love, saying she often fell out of relationships after two to three years. "I was afraid I would lose [love]," she said, but credited her husband's calm and grounded nature for breaking that cycle.
Reflecting on her long-standing public image, host Yoo Jae-suk commented, "It seems like you've always been in your prime." Lee responded, "I think everyone experiences their prime every 5 to 10 years. If you don't give up and wait, it'll come again."
Her remarks sparked an outpouring of support from fans online, many praising her emotional maturity and continued authenticity.
Lee was making her first major broadcast appearance in months on You Quiz, but her words were also a refreshing reminder of her decades-long legacy — and the power of that legacy to change with grace.
Originally published on Kdrama Stars
