Renowned celebrity Lee Hyori graced the graduation ceremony at Kookmin University, her alma mater, with a poignant speech that resonated deeply with the audience.

Lee Hyori, a '98 alumna from the Department of Theater and Film at Kookmin University, had aspirations of fame rather than a career in acting.

She was blessed with a successful debut in the entertainment industry and expressed her gratitude for the love and success she continues to enjoy.

Despite taking eight years to graduate, Lee Hyori questioned her own qualifications and candidly asked if we, who often disregard the advice of our parents, close friends, or respected elders, have any reason to heed the words of those who speak of fame.

Lee Hyori advised, "If you can, trust no one. Embrace solitude and keep moving forward."

Instead of offering conventional advice, she inspired her juniors to pursue their passions relentlessly, to remain unaffected by those who might exploit them under false pretenses, and to listen to their own hearts above all else.

Interestingly, Lee Hyori had previously visited Gwangju Girls' High School through 'Dance Singer Wandering Troupe (tvN)' and spent time addressing the concerns of the students.

She encouraged a student who wanted to pursue music but was held back by her parents' financial worries.

"Do you want to earn money? Or do you want to make music? Whose life is it, your parents' or yours?" she asked, reminding them of their true desires and encouraging them to chase their dreams, earning applause from the students.

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Actor Song Kang Ho shocked fans by revealing the surprising reason he initially turned down the iconic role in Joint Security Area (JSA).

On February 4, the movie JSA was celebrated as a "Visionary" work at a special GV (Guest Visit) event for CJ ENM’s 30th anniversary at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. The event was attended by director Park Chan-wook and stars like Song Kang Ho, Lee Byung Hun, Lee Young Ae, Kim Tae Woo, and Ko Kyung Beom, who shared stories from the making of the film.

Joint Security Area, a groundbreaking film by director Park Chan-wook, tells the story of North and South Korean soldiers caught in a tragic incident at the border, highlighting the human side of the divided nations. The film has been widely praised for changing the perception of inter-Korean relations and is seen as a key moment in Korean cinema.

During the event, Song Kang Ho admitted that he turned down the JSA script at first, saying, "The script was just too perfect. It was so well-written and tightly woven that I couldn’t believe it. I thought, ‘Is this really Korean cinema at this level?’ I felt it was too good, and I figured the movie wouldn’t live up to the script."

He also mentioned that at the time, Park Chan-wook’s previous films hadn’t done well, which made him even more doubtful. "But after meeting the director, I started to trust him," Song Kang Ho added.

Reflecting on the film 20 years later, Song Kang Ho joked, "I was flipping through channels and watched JSA again. I thought, ‘There was a time when I wasn’t envious of Lee Byung Hun,’ but he looked so handsome and cool back then." He continued, laughing, "One thing about Park Chan-wook's films is that they have a depth and elegance that you just can’t forget. It’s probably why his new movie is called I Can’t Help It."

Song Kang Ho also spoke fondly of reuniting with his JSA co-stars after 25 years. He shared, "We didn’t watch the film together, but we had a cozy two-hour dinner. After all this time, it felt nostalgic. It was heartwarming to sit together again and reminisce about the past. It really made me realize how meaningful these moments are."

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