Former Jewelry Member Lee Ji-hyun Embraces New Life as a Hairdresser While Balancing Motherhood

In a heartwarming chapter of reinvention, former K-pop group Jewelry member Lee Ji-hyun has transitioned into a full-time hairdresser, juggling the demands of a new career with the realities of single motherhood. Her candid journey from the stage to the salon has resonated deeply with fans and fellow working parents across South Korea.

From the Spotlight to the Salon Chair

Lee Ji-hyun, who originally debuted with the group Circle in 1998 before joining Jewelry as a founding member in 2001, recently appeared on the YouTube channel Selectme, a beauty industry recruitment platform. In the video, she introduced herself with characteristic humility, saying she is currently a junior hair designer on her way to becoming a fully certified professional. She is training under instructors at a major franchise salon, steadily refining her craft.

When asked what motivated her career shift, Lee was refreshingly honest. She explained that as a single mother raising two children, relying on a single income felt increasingly precarious. Having always had a close connection to the beauty industry through her years as a performer, she decided that hairdressing offered both a meaningful skill and long-term stability.

The Real Cost of Starting Over

Lee previously revealed on the MBN variety show Kim Ju-ha's Day and Night that her path to becoming a licensed hairdresser required a significant investment, both in time and money. Over two years of training, she spent approximately 50 million won, roughly 38,000 US dollars, on tuition, tools, and practice materials. She admitted she initially underestimated the difficulty, joking that she once thought the entry barrier was low simply because broadcast professionals visit salons every morning.

Despite the challenges, Lee expressed a firm conviction in her chosen path. She noted that even as artificial intelligence advances, it cannot replace the hands-on artistry of working with human hair, making it a profession she views as irreplaceable and future-proof. Her dedication paid off when she passed the hairdresser licensing exam after a grueling year and three months of preparation.

Balancing Work and Motherhood

The Selectme video also offered a candid glimpse into the daily balancing act Lee faces as a working mother. During filming, her phone rang loudly at the salon, prompting a flustered reaction as she scrambled to answer a call from her son, Woo-kyung. Their brief exchange, in which she quickly directed him to find food in the refrigerator, was followed by another call moments later, highlighting the constant pull between professional duties and parental responsibilities.

Lee spoke tenderly about the challenges, remarking that mothers simply cannot ignore their children's calls. She reflected that children give all the love and devotion they will ever show by the time they turn five, and it is those memories that sustain a parent through the years of raising them. Her openness about the difficulties of solo parenting, including her son's ADHD diagnosis, has earned admiration from viewers who see their own struggles reflected in her story.

A Success Story in the Making

Since completing her training, Lee Ji-hyun has attracted a growing clientele, with reports indicating that her appointment slots regularly sell out. Some customers have even traveled from as far as Daegu, over 300 kilometers away, to have their hair styled by the former idol. She has also styled the hair of TV personalities, including MC Kim Ju-ha, demonstrating professional-level skill that surprised even seasoned industry observers.

Lee recently traveled to the United States briefly for her son's education before returning to continue her salon work. At 47, her story serves as an inspiring example of resilience and adaptability, proving that it is never too late to pursue a new passion while honoring the responsibilities of parenthood.