South Korean star Lee Seung-gi (이승기) has faced ongoing scrutiny regarding his public image and popularity since marrying actress Lee Da-in (이다인). The controversies stem from Lee Da-in's family, who have been embroiled in a series of scandals involving fraud and stock manipulation. Lee Seung-gi previously defended his wife and in-laws, even taking legal action against online commenters, adopting a firm stance. However, in April of last year, he unexpectedly issued a statement announcing his separation from his in-laws, drawing significant public attention. Recently, his father-in-law, Lee Hong-heon (이홍헌), was sentenced to prison in a first-instance court ruling for alleged stock price manipulation of a KOSDAQ-listed company, once again making headlines in the Korean entertainment industry.
Amidst the public criticism and controversy, Lee Seung-gi recently returned to his alma mater to share his journey with current students. When asked by a student how he coped with malicious online comments after gaining fame, he uncharacteristically revealed his true feelings, admitting that even after years in the industry, he still feels hurt by hateful comments. He candidly stated, "It's not something you get used to." His honest sharing has garnered considerable attention.
On April 8, the YouTube channel "초록우산" (Chorokwusan) released a video titled "Teacher Lee Seung-gi passionately sings 'Delete' in the classroom." Lee Seung-gi made a surprise visit to his former school, Sanggye High School (상계고등학교), to meet students face-to-face and share his experiences from years in the entertainment industry, giving them an opportunity to ask him questions up close.
One student curiously asked, "After becoming famous, you must have received many hateful comments. How did you get through it?" Facing this question, Lee Seung-gi did not try to appear strong, but frankly replied, "In the past, seeing those comments really hurt, and of course, they still hurt now."
Lee Seung-gi then admitted that his mood is inevitably affected whenever someone says harsh things to him. He stated, "I don't think this is something you can adapt to just by getting used to it. You can only accept it and continue living." He also shared that the harm caused by malicious criticism does not completely disappear with time, and even after experiencing it many times, one can still feel sad.
Discussing how to deal with hateful comments, Lee Seung-gi also offered concrete advice. He believes that if one has truly done something wrong, they should reflect on it properly. However, if one is criticized for actions they did not commit, it is necessary to learn to ignore it and not let others' malice control one's emotions.
He further advised the students, "If you keep thinking about things that make you furious, it won't do you any good; instead, it will ruin your entire day." He believes that instead of dwelling on negative comments, it's better to try and let go, not allowing someone else's words to affect your life.
Lee Seung-gi also emphasized that such experiences are not exclusive to celebrities. He stated, "Everyone encounters these things in life; it's just that because you're famous, you receive more criticism. It's not that you won't encounter it if you're not famous." He hopes that the students can gradually develop resilience in the face of criticism and respond more calmly and firmly to unreasonable accusations.
Finally, Lee Seung-gi warmly encouraged the younger generation, hoping that everyone can become stronger and learn to calmly face external opinions. He did not portray himself as a public figure completely unaffected by criticism; instead, he admitted that he still gets hurt, making his sharing particularly sincere.
Lee Seung-gi married actress Lee Da-in in April 2023, and they welcomed their first daughter the following year. Recently, the couple had a son, officially becoming parents to two children. Despite their married life and the controversies surrounding his in-laws frequently drawing public attention, Lee Seung-gi's return to his alma mater to share his experiences demonstrates his care for the younger generation as a senior figure.
