"IU in the 80s": 3 times shaved her head to go to the monastery, forced by her mother to wear a wig, forced to receive guests

Lee Kyung Mi used to be a famous female singer in South Korea, but now she has a simple life after losing her hair. In a recent interview, the former singer said that she had many difficulties when deciding to retire and go to the monastery.

With her soaring voice and talented songwriting ability, Lee Kyung Mi was once the brightest star of the Korean music industry in the 80s. In her heyday, her songs always topped the charts, her image was covered in all newspapers.

Lee Kyung Mi was once the brightest star of the Korean music industry in the 80s

Her influence at that time was likened to the "national sister" IU of Kpop today. The salary to invite her to act in an advertisement at that time was rumored to be up to 10 million KRW (about 7,480 USD). In particular, there are rumors that her one-song cat can buy a house.

However, behind the glory of the stage, Lee Kyung Mi always feels that there is a big void in her soul. A life of luxury and fame did not bring her real happiness. After many nights of worrying, Lee Kyung Mi made a bold decision to give up everything to become a monk.

She is determined to leave showbiz to pursue a meditative life

Lee Kyung Mi explained this through Entertainment Company Live and VICE Asia.

Accordingly, she felt dissatisfied with the flashy star life, with a material excess: "The emptiness in my heart cannot be filled with such things. I thought a lot about what I was going to do with the money I earned. Then I wondered where my life would go after making so much money. I always wanted to be a monk."

However, the monastic process of the "national sister" at one time was not simple. Lee Kyung Mi entered the temple 3 times, lost her hair 3 times. Every time like that, the singer's mother came to her and forced her to return to the entertainment industry. When he returns, the management company will force Lee Kyung Mi to perform with a wig.

Every time Lee Kyung Mi lowered her hair to practice, she was taken back by her mother and sang again

"I went in and out of the temple three times and also shaved my head three times. Every time like that, my mother would follow the trail and force me back on stage. The management company forced me to sing with a wig," she said.

The cult singer also said that she has experienced many dark corners in the entertainment industry, so much so that it is "too painful to share". In the 1980s, singers had to make a living by performing at nightlife venues. They will have to run 9-10 shows in just 1 night.

Now, she uses her talents to sing about the teachings and values of Buddhism

Lee Kyung Mi doesn't hate performances, but she hates when the bar manager forces her to personally greet VIPs. It is not easy to refuse such requests. Lee Kyung Mi was once chased by a man, threatened for refusing to receive him. The singer was also randomly selected by high-ranking officials to receive VIPs in the Gungjeong ward area near the Blue House.

Lee Kyung Mi said that her situation at that time was like "a mouse being bitten by a cat". Being forced to perform and receive guests causes the physical and mental health of the "national sister" to be seriously impaired. Lee Kyung Mi could only exclaim, "It's hard to express my feelings. I was like, 'I hate money, I hate men, I hate life, I just want to be a monk.'" The singer gave up fame, money, and glory to practice at a temple in Yesan, Chungcheon Province with the new legal name Bohyun.

Lee Kyung Mi decided to use her talent to sing about the teachings and values of Buddhism. She also advised juniors in the entertainment industry not to endure hardships in silence, but to consider it as an opportunity to look at themselves and rest, looking for their true selves.

The singer also advised juniors in the entertainment industry not to endure hardships in silence, but to consider it as an opportunity to look at themselves and rest, looking for their true self

"Don't just endure the pain. Instead, take it as an opportunity to reflect on yourself and rest," the former singer told young artists.

"When you really understand who you are, you understand other people better. Then you will see the world more clearly and be ready for new things," - the once-famous female singer confided.

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