Lee Young-ae Reflects on Her 8-Year Hiatus: 'I Want to Live Thin and Long... A Bit Thicker'

Actress Lee Young-ae appeared on MBC's 'Son Suk-hee's Questions' and candidly discussed her lengthy acting hiatus.

During the broadcast, host Son Suk-hee asked Lee Young-ae if she had ever felt the urge to disappear at the peak of her career. Lee responded, "When I was younger, I sometimes felt that way due to fake news. But now, my wish is to live 'thin and long,'" she stated.

When Son Suk-hee humorously inquired if 'a bit thicker' wouldn't be better, Lee Young-ae laughed and added, "Yes, I'd like to live a bit thicker and longer. Too thick would be burdensome, and as I age, work-life balance becomes more important."

Regarding any regrets about her 8-year break after getting married in 2009, she honestly replied, "It would be a lie to say there were no regrets, but there were more good memories, so I don't have any."

On the topic of marrying later in life, she shared, "If I had married in my 20s or early 30s, I might have felt depressed during my hiatus, but marrying later allowed me to become stronger through trial and error." She also expressed gratitude, saying, "'Dae Jang Geum' and 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance' were greatly loved and comforted me."

Lee Young-ae made her debut as a commercial model in 1990, marking the beginning of her acting career. She gained immense popularity both domestically and internationally through hit works like the drama 'Dae Jang Geum' and the film 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance.' Her recent drama 'Inspector Koo' marked a successful return to the small screen.