Singer Lee Hyori is grieving the loss of her father, and the family history and complex feelings toward her father that were revealed through past broadcasts are being reexamined.
On the 12th, her agency Antenna released an official statement saying, "Lee Hyori has lost her father." It was reported that Lee Hyori, along with her husband Lee Sang Soon and her siblings, are serving as chief mourners, keeping vigil at the funeral hall and receiving visitors in mourning.
Earlier, Lee Hyori, on variety shows including "Hyori's Bed and Breakfast," and other broadcasts, openly recalled her childhood and candidly shared memories of her father. Growing up with a father who ran a barber shop, she confessed, "My father cut my hair himself and always gave me a bowl cut, which I hated," and "When friends came to get a haircut I felt embarrassed and hated it."
At the time it was a burdensome and embarrassing memory in her young mind, but as time passed those feelings took on a different meaning. Lee Hyori confessed, "When my father, after finishing work, asked me to massage his feet I found it so bothersome, but thinking back now I wish I had massaged them more," revealing belated regret and apology.
She also confessed, "When I was young my father was very scary and I was often hit," adding, "At that time I had strong feelings of anger and hatred in my heart." She went on to say, "I understand that my father also had many burdens accumulated from the hard life in Seoul," offering a mature perspective that reflected on the lives of his generation.
Lee Hyori laid bare deeper feelings about her relationship with her family. In conversations with her mother she said, "In my mind my mother and father are tied together. They remain as painful memories to me," and "So I think I couldn't contact them often," which drew sympathy from viewers. She also showed an honest attitude of facing past wounds rather than ignoring them.
In this way Lee Hyori openly revealed mixed feelings of affection, hurt, understanding and resentment toward her family, and she has shared candid stories about her relationship with her father while he was alive. Even in childhood memories she sometimes described as "embarrassing and hateful," there remained an undeniable love and affection for her family.
And now, she has had to say goodbye to that father. Lee Hyori's numerous confessions made on broadcasts have resurfaced, and many people express regret and condolences.
Meanwhile, the late Lee Joong-gwang passed away that day, and the funeral hall was set up in Room 1 of Chung-Ang University Hospital. The funeral procession will be held at 7 a.m. on the 14th, and the burial site is the family cemetery in Eumseong County, Chungbuk.
[Photo] "Broadcast screen" capture
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