After three years of silence, actress Lee Chae Young revealed the reason for her new inactive period from entertainment, saying her health was in extreme danger and that she no longer wanted to risk her life.
On February 26, Lee posted a heartfelt message on her Instagram Story in response to a fan's encouragement to return to work.
The post, as quoted by WikiTree, states: "In 2023, I pushed myself too hard, overcommitted on projects, and developed small sicknesses in my body and mind."
The actress said that she only finished work that had been pre-scheduled, declining to step down from other programs, citing the need to take personal time.
She further added, "During this period, I also realized that health and happiness come first, and everything else can wait."
Lee assured fans that she was working on her life despite being out of the spotlight.
"I am living my life, and although you may not see me from here, I am working through each and every facet of it. I beg you, understand a bit," she said.
During her time away, Lee thought about how travel benefited her soul. "I realized that the direction of life is broad," she said.
When a fan asked for travel recommendations, she replied that they should go to places that are significant to her.
"I liked Guy de Maupassant, so I went to Paris; I liked jazz, so I went to New Orleans, the center of jazz," she wrote.
Lee Chae-young debuted in the drama Witch Yoo Hee in 2007 and has since appeared in various successful series, such as Wife Returns and My Strange Hero.
In January 2024, she left her regular position on SBS's variety show Kick a Goal and has avoided high-profile commitments since.
While fans look forward to seeing Lee again, her honest admission of her challenges is also a reminder of the need to prioritize mental and physical health in a demanding industry.
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