With her bold personality and unique charm, Lee Hyori became one of South Korea’s most influential pop stars. She first gained fame as the leader of Fin.K.L and later built a powerful solo career with songs like “U-Go-Girl.” After years at the top, she chose to step away from the spotlight, moving to Jeju Island to live a quieter and more peaceful life. Recently, she opened up about the pressure of fame and her decision to focus on personal happiness over public attention.
Lee Hyori was born on May 10, 1979 in Osong-ri (Cheongwon County), North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. She was the youngest of three daughters and grew up in a family that ran a small barbershop, times were tough, and she often recalls being aware of how little money they had. While she was still in middle school, she held part-time work in a restaurant to help out, and during this period she was discovered by an agency while out with friends. Her early life, marked by financial strain and hard work, laid the foundation for her drive and determination in her later career.
From 1998 she began her career as the leader of girl-group Fin.K.L, which quickly became one of South Korea’s most popular pop groups. In August 2003 she launched her solo career with the album Stylish…, whose lead track “10 Minutes” achieved major success and earned her several of the country’s top music awards.
Over the next few years she released further solo albums, including Dark Angel(2006) and It’s Hyorish(2008), the latter becoming the best-selling album by a female solo artist in South Korea that year. Her image, performances and fashion moves made her widely influential, earning her media attention and the nickname “Hyori Syndrome” in the process.
In 2020 she joined project groups such as SSAK3 and Refund Sisters, continuing to release music and appear on TV programmes. She also moved into roles beyond singing, hosting variety shows, producing music and taking on other entertainment work, showing that her career evolved rather than ended.
As of 2025, Lee Hyori’s net worth is estimated at around US$30 million. She built this wealth through her successful music career, endorsement deals, television appearances, and real estate investments. A major part of her income came from her solo albums and concerts, while her popularity made her one of the highest-paid celebrities for advertising brands such as Samsung and Lotte.