Lee Ji-hyun’s Path to Becoming a Beautician: Risk or Reinvention?
Lee Ji-hyun, formerly a member of the K-pop girl group Jewelry, has stepped into the world of beauty and hairstyling. After years in entertainment, she is now retraining as a beautician, drawing admiration and scrutiny alike. Her move reflects not only a career shift but also a profound personal journey — one of reinvention, self-reliance, and resilience.
Over a year after setting her sights on cosmetology, Lee passed the written portion of the national licensing exam and is now focused on practical training. Since April, she has been learning firsthand from seasoned professionals. Her Instagram posts now show her regularly practicing hair coloring, cutting, and styling — a stark contrast to her life on stage under spotlights.
The Good, the Bad, and the Honest Grit
Why Her Story Inspires
At first glance, Lee’s decision could be seen as a celebrity passion project. But to many — especially single mothers or women navigating life after divorce — she represents something deeper: bravery in starting over. Her journey reminds us that it’s never too late to dream differently. Despite two divorces, Lee is committed to raising her son and daughter while actively reengineering her identity through beauty school.
In the same way Robert Downey Jr. renewed his career arc post-crisis, Lee is laying bricks in a new tower of purpose. She is not seeking fame; she is building a trade. A recent sociology study highlighted how learning a new skill increases personal confidence and emotional satisfaction — classic markers of empowerment. Lee exemplifies this, finding emotional healing and self-worth through the slow, demanding rhythm of apprenticeship.
Concerns and Challenges
However, her leap into a hands-on profession raises valid concerns. Critics argue her experience level is still in the starting blocks. Without enough practical hours under her belt, how soon can she realistically serve clients? In beauty work, technique, muscle memory, and client trust aren’t built overnight.
This concern is amplified by her dual commitments — she remains on television while also training to be a hairstylist. Time management becomes her toughest opponent. Can she juggle public expectations with consistent, quality practice? Many in the beauty industry emphasize that hands-on roles demand years of sweat equity. A similar American case comes to mind: a Hollywood actor once tried to pivot to becoming a chef but found the professional kitchen far less forgiving than reality show judges.
In other words, passion is essential — but not enough on its own.
Between Applause and Criticism: What Comes Next?
It’s tempting to either cheer unconditionally or doubt her entirely. But Lee Ji-hyun's story asks us for something more nuanced: patience. She deserves applaud for taking risks in a culture that often discourages women — especially single mothers in their 40s — from pivoting professionally. Still, it’s fair to ask whether she can deliver the excellence required in such a detail-oriented trade.
Her path requires consistent effort, humility, and time — and perhaps the audience she'd once entertained will now form a different kind of fan base: clients.
What matters too is the message she's projecting. She’s not promising overnight transformation or stardom through scissors. She’s laying groundwork, brick by brick. While her fame adds complexity to her challenge, it also spotlights a powerful truth: self-reinvention is possible, even public.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Makeover
Transitioning from Idol to beautician may seem like an unusual pivot, but Lee Ji-hyun is showing that passion, growth, and purpose aren’t limited by age, past mistakes, or career labels. She’s driven by the need to support her family and rebuild both her personal and professional life.
Will she succeed? That depends on how we define success. Is it client satisfaction, personal happiness, or social impact? Possibly all three. And in that sense, this is more than a makeover — it’s a mission. Whether one sees her efforts as admirable or impractical, Lee Ji-hyun is proof that the courage to change is always in style.
