Lee Young-ae Reflects on Credit Card Crisis and Ad Model Responsibility

Actress Lee Young-ae has candidly shared her feelings about the responsibility she felt as an advertising model, recalling the 'credit card crisis' during a recent broadcast.

Appearing on MBC's 'Son Suk-hee's Questions' on the 17th, Lee Young-ae discussed her experiences as an advertising model.

Responding to a remark by theater director Kim Sang-soo that 'Lee Young-ae would know well that the images presented in advertisements are not the truth,' she agreed, stating, 'As an advertising model, I'm also acting, so I believe I'm performing according to the concept and content that fit the advertisement.'

She further commented on the world depicted in advertisements, saying, 'You can't believe it 100%,' and 'It shouldn't be exaggerated to a certain extent; a line needs to be maintained.' Lee Young-ae revealed that she felt burdened by advertisements, even to the point of disliking seeing her own face on TV, which led her to reduce her ad activities.

Most notably, Lee Young-ae reminisced about the credit card crisis: 'The social phenomenon during the credit card crisis was very severe, many people suffered, and some even made extreme choices.' She confessed, 'I felt a sense of responsibility as an ad model. It was shocking and heartbreaking. So, there were several advertisements I decided to stop doing.'

The credit card crisis in the early 2000s was a major social issue caused by the indiscriminate issuance of credit cards, leading millions into bad debt.

Lee Young-ae debuted as a commercial model in 1990 and expanded her career into acting. She gained immense popularity both domestically and internationally through numerous hit works such as the drama 'Dae Jang Geum' and the film 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance'. Beyond her exceptional acting skills, Lee Young-ae consistently participates in social contribution activities, spreading positive influence.