Lee Ji-hye Recalls 'Bikini Press Conference' to Debunk Breast Augmentation Rumors

Early in her career, South Korean singer and actress Lee Ji-hye (이지혜) faced public speculation about having undergone breast augmentation due to her prominent figure. This led her agency to arrange an unprecedented "swimsuit press conference" to clarify the rumors. This event has since been recognized by the Korean entertainment industry as one of the "three legendary press conferences." Lee recently recounted this "dark history of breast augmentation rumors" on a variety show, bringing the topic back into discussion.

The December 2 broadcast of the SBS variety show "My Manager is Too Difficult – Secretary Jin" (《나의 매니저가 너무 어렵다－비서진》) featured entertainment industry mothers who balance work and childcare — Lee Ji-hye, Lee Hyun-yi (이현이), and Lee Eun-hyung (이은형) — appearing as the 13th "My Star" to share their authentic daily lives.

At the beginning of the show, Lee Seo-jin (이서진) met with Lee Ji-hye, and the two chatted casually while driving. When the conversation turned to recent news, Lee Seo-jin directly asked, "Didn't you make headlines recently? They said you had plastic surgery? Was it a philtrum reduction?" His typically sharp and blunt questioning instantly brought laughter to the set. Lee Ji-hye responded calmly and without evasion, showcasing their playful banter and strong chemistry.

The discussion then extended to past controversies. Lee Seo-jin added, "Didn't you even hold a press conference at a swimming pool back then?" directly referencing her past scandal. Lee Ji-hye laughed and said, "How do you even know about that, oppa?" Lee Seo-jin retorted, "It was such big news back then, it would be strange not to know." Their back-and-forth made the atmosphere even more relaxed.

Speaking about the situation back then, Lee Ji-hye finally admitted that she was indeed suspected of having breast augmentation surgery. She recalled, "After I took bikini photos, people started asking if I had breast implants." To clear up the misunderstanding, she had to personally step forward and explain.

Lee Ji-hye further explained that at the time, breast augmentation surgery was almost exclusively done via an "axillary incision." She stated, "So I thought, since they keep saying I had it done, I might as well show everyone my armpits to prove I didn't." Her remark instantly caused an uproar, with guests reacting with surprise and laughter.

In fact, as early as 2006, Lee Ji-hye did hold a swimsuit press conference to prove she had not undergone breast augmentation. She stood in front of a row of cameras in a bikini, posing for the media, a scene that netizens still talk about today.

This past incident, where she directly exposed her armpits to clear her name and quell controversy, once again elicited gasps and laughter from the show's audience, highlighting her straightforward personality when facing rumors. She had previously revealed the infamous "armpit bikini photo" that sparked the controversy on the SBS program "Dolsing Fourmen" (《탈출 신발 4Men》), revisiting an event that fans still consider a representative part of her "dark history."

Looking back at Lee Ji-hye's career, she debuted in 1998 as a member of the co-ed group S#arp. The group was highly popular in the early 2000s, consisting of female members Lee Ji-hye and Seo Ji-young (서지영), and male members Jang Seok-hyun (장석현) and Chris Kim. However, a four-year internal bullying scandal erupted, with reports even claiming Seo Ji-young's mother verbally abused and physically assaulted Lee Ji-hye. The group ultimately disbanded in 2002.

After the group's disbandment, Lee Ji-hye transitioned to a solo career, remaining active in the entertainment industry through her variety show appearances and singing talent. It is also known that her joining S#arp was partly due to Lee Sang-min's (이상민) recognition of her talent.

In her personal life, Lee Ji-hye married a non-celebrity in 2017 and has since had two daughters, enjoying a happy family life of four. Besides her continued activity in variety shows, her YouTube channel is also nearing one million subscribers, with its content gaining significant popularity among netizens in recent years, marking a second peak in her career.