South Korean actress and singer Lee Jung-hyun, a longtime friend of actress Son Ye-jin, recently resurfaced in headlines after a candid past confession about a profoundly emotional breakup went viral.

Lee, best known for her work in films such as Train to Busan and often dubbed the "Lady Gaga of Korea," has been enjoying a happy marriage with a plastic surgeon three years her junior.

However, the star's love life hasn't always been smooth.

In a 2009 appearance on KBS 2TV's talk show Champagne, Lee opened up about a painful romantic experience from her early twenties.

"I once dated a male celebrity. But in the end, a gay male celebrity stole him from me," Lee said.

She went on to describe the moment she found out about the relationship between her then-boyfriend and the other man.

"I was shocked when I saw the two of them hugging and kissing passionately," she said. "It was a huge shock that I couldn't cope with at such a young age. For a long time after we broke up, I lived like a ghost."

Lee said the emotional toll left her unable to function normally for a time and that she made a personal vow to move on completely.

"I swore to myself that I'd never see either of them again.

And to this day, I've never once run into them — not even by accident," she said.

Despite sharing the story publicly, Lee chose not to disclose the identities of either man, citing a desire to respect their privacy.

She noted that both individuals remain active in the entertainment industry, and her ex-boyfriend has not publicly acknowledged his sexual orientation.

Lee Jung-hyun is part of a close-knit group of A-list actresses that includes Son Ye-jin, Gong Hyo-jin, and Lee Min-jung.

Though the incident is long behind her, her honesty continues to resonate with fans for its vulnerability and raw emotional insight.