Girls' Generation's Kwon Yu-ri Faces Backlash for Jeju Island Lifestyle, Accused of Copying Lee Hyo-ri

Girls' Generation (소녀시대) member Kwon Yu-ri (권유리) recently unveiled her daily life on Jeju Island. While fans initially lauded her relaxed and healthy lifestyle, some netizens have since criticized her routine as overly “performative,” with some even suggesting she is imitating K-pop icon Lee Hyo-ri (이효리) due to her affinity for nature and morning yoga.

MBC variety show I Live Alone (나 혼자 산다) recently broadcast footage of Kwon Yu-ri's life on Jeju Island. The video showed her waking up at 3 a.m. to do yoga by the sea, specifically to greet the sunrise, showcasing a lifestyle distinctly different from the norm.

Kwon Yu-ri shared her Jeju Island life philosophy, stating, “I wake up before sunrise, hoping to make the most of the day. I’ve always wanted to do sunrise yoga by the sea at dawn.” She described this habit as “slowly communicating with my body and allowing it to gradually awaken.”

After her yoga session, Kwon Yu-ri drove around Jeju Island in a green van she personally customized. Discussing her travel style and outlook on life, she remarked, “This car is actually quite uncomfortable, but I believe that truly special things are never easily obtained.”

For breakfast, she started her day with a salad, only to then heartily consume instant noodles and bread, revealing a contrasting side to her diet. She even joked, “It tastes more like kimchi than salad.” After finishing, she refilled her plate with more food, showing her uninhibited and genuine personality.

Furthermore, Kwon Yu-ri later took a leisurely nap directly in her van, portraying a relaxed and free-spirited Jeju Island existence.

Following the video's release, many netizens praised her, commenting, “It’s good to see her living happily” and “She looks healthy and beautiful.” However, others held different views, finding her lifestyle too “showy” and even drawing comparisons to Lee Hyo-ri.

Specifically, Kwon Yu-ri's prolonged time in nature, her yoga practice, and her travels in a customized van reminded some netizens of Lee Hyo-ri’s past life on Jeju Island. This led to criticisms such as “imitating Lee Hyo-ri” and “a replica of Lee Hyo-ri,” unexpectedly sparking debate.

As the controversy escalated, a netizen identifying as an acquaintance of Kwon Yu-ri, referred to as “A,” came forward to clarify, stating, “Haven’t you met Kwon Yu-ri in person? She’s not someone who shows off. I’ve met her several times, and she’s truly a wonderful person.” A also emphasized that the public seems to misunderstand Kwon Yu-ri. However, the true identity of this netizen has not yet been verified.

Meanwhile, Kwon Yu-ri, who debuted with Girls' Generation in 2007, is celebrating her 17th anniversary this year. She recently concluded her exclusive contract with SM Entertainment and formed the sub-unit HyoRiSoo with Kim Hyo-yeon (김효연) and Choi Soo-young (최수영), continuing her entertainment activities. The recent exposure of her real life on Jeju Island has unexpectedly triggered a polarized discussion among the public.