Lee Young-ae to announce shock retirement from acting?

Lee created a stir on Monday when rumors have surfaced that her career was over.

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Sad news for Lee fans. Speculation had been rife that the Korean actress best known for her role in Joint Security Area, will announce her retirement from acting, at age 55, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 03/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an actress isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an actress-model just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouYoung-ae

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouYoung-ae was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouYoung-ae.”
— @DesireePlum, 2 Feb 2026

“Didn't Lee Young-ae retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 2 Feb 2026

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