Lee Ji-hyeon returns to YouTube after 2 years as 'Queen Ji-hyeon'
Lee Ji-hyeon, formerly of Jewelry, has opened the 'Hyunsaeng Mode Queen Jihyeon' channel and declared her return as a YouTuber. This is her second attempt after two years.
"I'm good at not giving up" Lee Ji-hyun's second challenge
Lee Ji-hyun, a former member of the group Jewelry, has once again stood before the YouTube camera. On the 15th, Lee Ji-hyun announced a new beginning on her Instagram, saying, "This is my second YouTube challenge." She expressed her ambition to meet fans as 'Queen Ji-hyun,' showing a more raw side of herself.
The name of the YouTube channel she opened is 'Real Life Mode Queen Ji-hyun.' The first video, released on the 15th, captures the process of Lee Ji-hyun meeting with the YouTube production team for a preliminary meeting. The video title is "Mom? Director? Just Lee Ji-hyun? There are too many versions of me inside."
The reason Lee Ji-hyun picked up the microphone again was the support of her fans. She directly shared the motivation for starting YouTube, saying, "Many people say that watching my SNS gives them the strength to live hard as well. I am so grateful."
Lee Ji-hyun challenged being a YouTuber in 2022 with the channel 'Lee Ji-hyun's Easy Vibe,' but she failed to reach 10,000 subscribers. Ultimately, she suspended her activities in November 2024, two years later, with her last video. During this re-challenge process, she also candidly shared her struggles, saying, "Acne started after I went through the designer training course last year. It seems to be quite difficult."
Seo In-young's success and the reunion of Jewelry members
Lee Ji-hyun's move coincides with the influence of her fellow group member, Seo In-young. Seo In-young opened the channel 'Reformed Seo In-young' last March. Within four months of opening the channel, she surpassed 860,000 subscribers, and all the videos she uploaded are exceeding 1 million views.
Lee Ji-hyun and Seo In-young have shown a close bond even recently. Last month, on Seo In-young's channel, Jewelry members Park Jung-ah, Jo Min A (Jo Ha-rang), and Ha Juyeon all gathered to show themselves on stage for the first time in a long while. Lee Ji-hyun also appeared consistently on Seo In-young's channel, visiting Seo In-young's house with Park Jung-ah or performing as a full group.
Life as a hairdresser and the friendship of 1st generation goddesses
Beyond her activities in the entertainment industry, Lee Ji-hyun has steadily changed her life trajectory. After experiencing two divorces and raising one son and one daughter alone, she passed the national beauty exam and opened her own hair salon. She opened her shop after undergoing a hair designer training course for about three months at a Dae-hyeong hair salon franchise academy.
The content she will show through YouTube is also diverse. It is expected to capture everything from daily life, such as going to the hair salon and running, to her life as a professional.
Recently, she showed off the friendship of 1st generation goddesses by sharing a photo taken with her Jewelry colleague Gan Mi-yeon. Through her channel, Lee Ji-hyun posted the photo with the caption, "Milky! White! Mi-yeon unnie!!! Unnie, who still looks like a delicate girl even now♥"
The connection between Jewelry members
Jewelry members are joining Lee Ji-hyun's YouTube activities. Members such as Park Jung-ah, Jo Min A (Jo Ha-rang), and Ha Juyeon gathered on Seo In-young's YouTube channel last month to perform on stage. Lee Ji-hyun has also maintained her connection by visiting Seo In-young's house with Park Jung-ah.
Recently, Lee Ji-hyun showed off her close friendship by releasing a selfie taken with 1st generation visual member Gan Mi-yeon.
Records of previous works and career
Lee Ji-hyun debuted as an early member of the group Jewelry in 2001. In 2022, she opened the channel 'Lee Ji-hyun's Easy Vibe' and worked as a YouTuber, but she suspended her activities in November 2024 without reaching 10,000 subscribers.
She also built a career as a hairdresser. After obtaining her license, she underwent a hair designer training course for about three months at a Dae-hyeong hair salon franchise academy and subsequently opened her own shop.
"With a more raw side" Lee Ji-hyun's sincere confession
Lee Ji-hyun conveyed her determination for the new challenge through her SNS. She wrote, "This is my second YouTube challenge," and "From now on, I will meet you as a more raw 'Queen Ji-hyun'."
She added, "I'm not good at anything, but I'm good at not giving up. The clumsy and sometimes tearful stories of how I became who I am today! I will show you only a more raw side as 'Queen Ji-hyun'."
Recently, she also shared her professional struggles. She said, "Acne started after I went through the designer training course last year. It seems to be quite difficult."
Seo In-young's success and the reunion of Jewelry members
Lee Ji-hyun's current re-challenge is linked to the success story of her fellow group member, Seo In-young. After opening the YouTube channel 'Reformed Seo In-young' last March, Seo In-young surpassed 860,000 subscribers in just four months. All videos uploaded to the channel have exceeded 1 million views.
The connection between the two has continued until recently. Last month, Jewelry members including Park Jung-ah, Jo Min A (Jo Ha-rang), and Ha Juyeon gathered on Seo In-young's channel to perform on stage. Lee Ji-hyun also participated in the channel's activities by visiting Seo In-young's house with Park Jung-ah or appearing in full group performances.
