At the age of 54, when many Korean stars of the same generation have retired or are trying to hold on to their youth by all means, Lee Young Ae - the "national beauty" of the kimchi country - still chooses to live true to her age.
Wrinkles around the corners of her eyes and skin that is no longer as supple as when she was young have clearly appeared on her face. However, instead of being criticized, Lee's current image is admired by the Korean public, because it is a beauty that is brave, understanding and in harmony with the laws of time.
At a recent event, Lee Young Ae attracted attention with her simple appearance but the charisma emanating from her eyes and calm demeanor. Her face clearly shows the signs of time: sagging skin, a few wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, and a nose that is no longer as slim as in the advertising photo, but still maintains a harmonious, natural look. Not trying to hide her age, Lee chooses to "live truthfully" with her age, without using surgical interventions.
“I respect natural beauty, the beauty of a woman who has lived, loved, been a mother, and played many different roles in movies and in real life,” Lee Young Ae once shared in an interview.
It is this perspective that makes her a model of maturity and freedom, especially in a context where many Korean female artists are pressured to maintain their youthful appearance.
In an entertainment industry where women are easily “eliminated” if they are no longer young and beautiful, Lee Young Ae still maintains her influence thanks to her choice to live true to her age. She does not paint a fake picture of perfection, is not afraid to show her wrinkles, and does not follow the “age-hacking” trend like many other female stars.
“I have lived for more than 50 years, and every mark on my body tells a part of my life story. That is something I cherish,” she once said.
Before becoming a movie star, Lee Young Ae was the “muse” of a series of famous cosmetic brands. In 1991, while still a German language student at Hanyang University, she rose to fame by advertising for a brand belonging to the Amorepacific Group.
With her pure and innocent image, she was nicknamed “Oxygen Lady”, her beauty like a breath of fresh air. In addition, the lipstick line she represented sold 1.5 million pieces in just two months, a record number at that time.
Since 2007, she has been the global face of a high-end cosmetics line. Her elegant, classic image appears throughout Asia, from Korea, China to Vietnam.
Over the past 3 decades, few stars have maintained their advertising presence as long as Lee Young Ae. Not only that, in the fashion industry, she has also collaborated with many luxury brands such as: Cartier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo...
Lee Young Ae is not only beautiful but also a talented actress on the Korean screen. She started acting in TV dramas in 1993, but it was not until 2000 that the actress's name really made an impression with her role in the movie Joint Security Area, a work about the friendship between soldiers from the two Koreas.
The film helped her win many awards and affirmed her position as a potential film actress. Following that, One Fine Spring Day (2001) further proved her delicate acting ability.
However, the pinnacle of this talented actress's career was her role as royal physician Jang Geum in the blockbuster drama Dae Jang Geum (2003–2004). The film was not only successful in Korea but also aired in more than 90 countries, spreading Lee Young Ae's name throughout Asia, including Vietnam.
The role of Jang Geum, a strong, intelligent, talented woman who lives by medical ethics, has become a cultural icon and an ideal woman in many countries. Thanks to this role, Lee Young Ae is loved and respected not only for her beauty but also for her personality and ability.
In 2005, she tried her hand at the villain role in Sympathy for Lady Vengeance – a turning point that helped her win the Best Actress award at many major award ceremonies.
After a period of temporary withdrawal from the screen to take care of her family, Lee Young Ae returned with Saimdang, Memoir of colors (2017) and most recently Inspector Koo (2021), a new detective action film, affirming that she still maintains her appeal after decades of artistic activities.
In contrast to the spotlight, Lee Young Ae has a private personal life. In 2009, she married businessman Jeong Ho Young - a successful man in the defense industry, nearly 20 years older than her. In 2011, she gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, and almost withdrew from showbiz to focus on her family.
Lee once shared that she wanted her children to live a normal life, away from the hustle and bustle of the entertainment industry. Her family lives in a quiet villa on the outskirts of Seoul, close to nature.
When not filming, Lee enjoys gardening, cooking and volunteering, an image that contrasts with the lavishness of the entertainment industry, but makes the public love him even more.
At 54, Lee Young Ae is no longer the most beautiful actress in Korea by visual standards, but she has become a beauty icon, because of her maturity, intelligence and personality. And perhaps, that is the kind of beauty that can truly "last" over time.
Photos : Getty, KBIZoom, Pinterest, Instagram
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/quoc-bao-nhan-sac-han-quoc-lee-young-ae-tu-tin-khoe-nep-nhan-o-tuoi-54-20250613112920010.htm
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