She went from the original “nation’s little sister” to a nude film star overnight.
35 minutes ago
In the March 16, 2026 (KST) episode of MBN‘s Overcoming Story: While You Were Hurting, actress Lee Jae Eun opened up about the reason she took on a highly revealing role at the age of 20.
Actress Lee Jae Eun | @zzen0208/Instagram
Looking back on her “child star” era, when she was widely loved as the original “nation’s little sister,” Lee Jae Eun candidly revealed the family crisis she later endured.
Lee Jae Eun as a successful child star | E Today
She explained, “There were many temptations surrounding my parents, and my father’s business investments completely failed. Our house was even marked for seizure,” recalling the financial collapse her family faced.
She continued, “That’s why I chose to star in the film Yellow Hair,” adding, “It was unbearably painful and difficult.”
The 1999 K-Movie Yellow Hair pushed Lee Jae Eun to take on a bold, explicit role. The movie itself centered on a rebellious young woman dealing with trauma, expressed through destructive behaviors and defiance of societal norms. While the concept carried a certain edge, it ultimately unfolded as a provocative, controversial story filled with extreme depictions and a bleak ending.
The movie drew massive attention for her drastic image transformation, but also sparked intense backlash and malicious criticism. Many fans who had known her for her bright, wholesome child-star image were shocked by the stark contrast. Although Yellow Hair struggled critically, Lee Jae Eun’s performance was one of the few elements that received praise, and she went on to win “Best New Actress” awards at both the Grand Bell Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Still, Yellow Hair remains a painful memory for Lee Jae Eun. The scandalous nature of the movie affected her career trajectory, limiting her opportunities in leading drama roles, and she reportedly suffered considerable psychological distress. Overcome with emotion, Lee Jae Eun was seen breaking down in tears as she recalled the pain of that time, drawing sympathy from viewers.
Beyond acting, Lee Jae Eun pursued a short-lived music career in 2001 with the dance song “Mask.” Watch her Music Plus performance here: