On March 15, singer Lee So-ra made a shocking confession on Jung Jae-hyung’s YouTube channel, revealing the severe depression and health decline she faced during her long hiatus—and the moment music pulled her back.
Appearing on Jung’s channel, Lee shared an update and explained why she had to halt her activities. She said a vocal cord injury left her terrified that she might never be able to sing again.
“I was devastated to learn I’d injured my vocal cords,” Lee said. “I spent long stretches lying at home doing nothing, and I was so depressed I couldn’t even listen to music.” She added that she almost never left the house—riding the elevator down to the ground floor happened maybe once a year, if that.
Her health also took a serious hit. “My weight went up to 100 kg, and when the hospital checked my blood pressure, it was over 190,” she confessed. “I was so short of breath that even walking was difficult.” She added that she then spent about a year shedding a significant amount of weight and working hard to regain her health.
In the end, Lee said she found her way back to music while recording the OST for the JTBC drama The Atypical Family, where Jung served as music director. “When I listened to the track Jae-hyung sent me, it felt like a ray of light,” she said, adding that in her darkest time, music once again became the engine of her life. Jung responded, “Don’t say that. You’re always beautiful,” highlighting their long-standing friendship and warming the atmosphere.