Lee Yoon-jin, who recently joined the cast of TV Chosun’s variety show “Now Alone,” is embracing a new chapter in her life. On the July 16th episode, she introduced herself as being “in the first year of the second act of life” and revealed her current career as an interpreter.
Lee Yoon-jin emphasized that her decision to appear on the show aims to challenge the negative perception of divorce and living abroad. “I wanted to show that finishing marriage and living abroad is not an escape or fallback, but a new challenge and a new beginning of life,” she stated.
Lee Yoon-jin recounted her journey into the entertainment industry, which began with her role as singer Rain’s English teacher. “I was working in English-related work, and one day, an acquaintance in the film industry introduced me to my ex-husband’s English teacher,” she explained, detailing her initial meeting with Lee Bum Soo.
Tears and Heartbreak: Facing Divorce Mediation
The episode took a more emotional turn when Lee Yoon-jin discussed her ongoing divorce mediation process. With tears in her eyes, she confessed, “I imagined what I would look like as a grandmother and grandfather in the future, but the time came when that picture was not drawn and I couldn’t see (the future) at all.“
Finding Strength in Motherhood: Life in Bali with Daughter
Lee Yoon-jin currently resides in Bali with her daughter, So-ul. She spoke fondly of her role as a single mother, stating, “Mom is the head of the family, so I came to settle down. My daughter So-ul said, ‘Mom has raised us well and done many things until now.’ She’s supporting me so well here, too. It’s amazing to be a mom.‘” These words of encouragement, Lee Yoon-jin revealed, provided her with immense strength.
Lee Yoon-jin also addressed the emotional toll of portraying a perfect family image on the show “The Return of Superman.” “I was heartbroken because I showed an ideal family image in the past by showing a housewife in ‘The Return of Superman,'” she shared. “I received a lot of support and felt a lot of pressure to keep the past family image.“
Fear and Support: Facing Public Scrutiny
Lee Yoon-jin expressed her initial fear of public judgment, stating, “I was worried about how many people would point fingers and how many bad things would be said.” However, she found solace in the unexpected outpouring of support. “An article was accidentally published. I didn’t intend it, but I was worried about how many people would point fingers and say bad things, but there were more people who cheered me on than I thought, and I got a lot of courage from people who were going through similar times. I feel a little more comfortable,” Lee Yoon-jin shared, wiping away her tears.
Lee Yoon-jin, previously a translator and interpreter, married actor Lee Bum Soo in 2010. Together, they had a son and a daughter. News of their divorce mediation surfaced in late 2023, initiated by Lee Yoon-jin. While the mediation process was unsuccessful, Lee Yoon-jin’s decision to share her story on “Now Alone” offers a glimpse into her journey of starting anew.
