Lee Sung Kyung, who is thought of as someone with a lot of money, actually lives in a 7-pyeong shantytown rental apartment, which is shocking compared to her wealthy image during debut.
Lee, a prominent star, first attracted public interest as a successful model, then as an actress.
But new interviews tell a different story, painting the tough circumstances of her impoverished upbringing.
According to Field Movie, with her class and success, Lee was also branded as a golden spoon in her childhood despite her hardship.
Her family ended up living in the back of a small shantytown apartment where they were forced to move after the fire devastated her father's factory, resulting in bankruptcy and massive amounts of debt.
But financially, it was another story: "I felt rich in love, but we were poor," Lee said during a recent interview.
Lee instilled in her a sense of resilience at a young age. She would sometimes hang images of her dreams — a photo of a sizeable 30-pyeong apartment and an SUV — on the walls, praying with her family for a better future.
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Even with her family's struggles, the steadfast encouragement of her parents gave her hope.
From rags to riches, Lee's story is inspirational yet relatable. She was studious and involved in school life and went on to become a top model and then an actress.
She first rose to stardom in the 2014 SBS drama Its Okay, That's Love.
Lee, who is now a household name, has appeared in hit dramas like Cheese in the Trap, Doctors, and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.
Still, she stays humble, attributing her history to the person she is now. She added that such experiences served to instill in her a sentiment of gratitude and resilience.
Lee's tale is a testament: money is not all wealth; sometimes, it's counted from the people you love and who support you no matter what and how much you grow as an individual.
While Lee continues pushing towards new targets, she is also grateful for what she has picked up through the process.
READ MORE:Lee Sung Kyung Admits Having Difficult Time in 2023: 'My Mind Became So Weak'
