Former After School member and actress Lee Joo Yeon is drawing attention after a surprising moment on a recent variety show — and fans are buzzing over what she didn’t say.
On the July 22 broadcast of SBS’s Shoe Off, Dolsing Four Men, Lee Joo Yeon appeared as a guest alongside actor Choi Jin Hyuk, cheerleader Park Ki Ryang, and comedian Shin Gyu Jin. During the show, she opened up about her past, including her journey from schoolgirl to idol, and shared behind-the-scenes stories from her After School days.
Talking about her younger years, she said,
“In middle school, I was just a normal kid with glasses. But in high school, I switched to circle lenses and suddenly became really pretty.”
She even shared her high school graduation photo, showing her pure and innocent visuals that gave her the nickname "flower deer."
“Back then, I was more popular than I am now,” she said, adding that she beat well-known ulzzangs like Park Hyun Byul and Goo Hye Sun in popularity votes.
Lee Joo Yeon also looked back on her modeling career, saying she starred in ads for school uniforms, snacks, and tech products — even appearing with Min Kyung Hoon.
“I started out as an ulzzang model and eventually met the CEO and director who were working with Son Dam Bi and After School. I didn’t think I had talent. I ran away a lot, but they kept chasing after me,” she laughed.
Describing the group’s intense image, she said,
“We weren’t like Girls’ Generation with a pretty concept. Ours was really tough. We did drum performances, tap dancing, even pole dancing.”
She recalled being thrown into the mix with no real experience, saying,
“I couldn’t do any of it at first, but after following them for two or three months, I was suddenly dancing next to Kahi unnie.”
That’s when things took a turn.
MC Lee Sang Min asked jokingly,
“Then maybe Kahi hit you once back then? Dance leaders in idol groups are usually super strict.”
The studio fell silent as Lee Joo Yeon paused, smiled awkwardly, and replied with just two words:
“No comment.”
Her answer — or lack of one — has fans speculating online. While nothing was confirmed, the moment quickly became a hot topic among viewers, with many wondering what really went on behind the scenes during the group’s early years.
Meanwhile, Lee Joo Yeon continues to stay active in variety shows and acting, but it’s clear her idol past is still full of stories — some she may not be ready to tell just yet.
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