Lee Hyori reflects on the responsibility that comes with her words.
On Tuesday, Lee Hyori appeared as a guest on MBC FM4U’s radio show It’s a Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon. During the recurring “Monthly Lee Hyori” segment, she opened up about how her recent media appearances and the public’s reaction have made her more mindful about what she says on air.
“I was on TV quite a bit last month,” Lee Hyori said. “I did two programs with Yoo Jae Suk and ended up talking about myself more than usual. It kept me in a state of constant tension.”
She recalled reconnecting with her longtime friend and TV host, Yoo Jae Suk, at comedian Kim Jong Min’s wedding. “Since I was already in Seoul, I half-joked that I’d make an excuse to appear on his show,” she said, referring to You Quiz on the Block. Although she initially turned down the invitation due to scheduling conflicts, the team urged her to appear on the show’s 300th-episode special, so she agreed.
Lee Sang Soon noted that the appearances sparked a flood of media coverage. Lee Hyori responded thoughtfully: “I’m grateful for the attention, but the more you speak, the more responsibility comes with it. I try to stay mindful of that and keep my guard up.”
Reflecting further on how age has shaped her views, Lee Hyori shared, “When I was younger, people would excuse things I said by saying, ‘She’s just a kid.’ But now that I’m older, I feel a deeper sense of responsibility. Sometimes, I think I should stay quiet, but then what’s the point of going on talk shows? In the end, I think it’s okay to speak your mind as long as you’re ready to take responsibility for it.”
Her comments follow renewed online scrutiny over a remark she made in 2022 on the MBC Every1 variety show Tteokbokki Brothers. During that episode, she said she didn’t want to go through IVF treatments and would be grateful if pregnancy happened naturally. The clip recently resurfaced, drawing both support and criticism online.
Lee Hyori has been married to Lee Sang Soon since 2013.
