Late Lee Il-jae's Daughter: "I Decided to Attend Foreign Language High School for Dad... I Rarely Talk About Him Because It Makes Me Sad"

The late Il-jae Lee's daughter, Rim Lee, expressed her longing for her father through a broadcast. Photo by MBC Entertainment Program 'Gongbu-ga Meoni?' screen capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Sung-yeol] Lee Rim, daughter of the late Lee Il-jae, expressed her longing for her father.

On the MBC variety show "Studying is Money?" aired on the 3rd, Lee Rim, daughter of the late Lee Il-jae, appeared and talked about how to improve grades among top students.

Lee Rim practiced ballet until middle school and then entered Daewon Foreign Language High School upon her teacher's recommendation. She is currently a first-year student there.

Upon waking up, Lee Rim prayed in front of her father Lee Il-jae's portrait and said in an interview with the production team, "I always think of my dad. I miss him a lot and greet him, asking if he is doing well."

Regarding her reason for entering the foreign language high school, she said, "My homeroom teacher recommended it, and my dad really liked it. I decided I had to pass for my dad. After passing, my dad was happy, so I was happy too."

When Lee Rim was startled by the low grades she received for the first time after entering the foreign language high school, her mother Hwang Ji-seon comforted her, saying, "Dad told you to go to the foreign language high school to be among hardworking peers and learn together."

Also, during a drawing test provided by an expert appearing on the show, Lee Rim shed tears while recalling memories with her father.

Lee Rim confessed her feelings, saying, "I think of my dad a lot, but when I bring it up, the atmosphere becomes sad. I don't like that, so I tend not to talk about it."

Hwang Ji-seon said, "Rim found the academy herself, and I only transferred the tuition fees. As a working mom, I couldn't even attend entrance exam briefings and couldn't put in much effort," expressing her apologies to her daughter.

Meanwhile, Lee Il-jae debuted as a theater actor in 1981 and made a strong impression on fans as an actor in the film series "General's Son." He appeared in movies such as "The Pirates" and "Gangster's Law," and dramas including "Rustic Period," "Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin," and "Yeon Gaesomun."

He later appeared on the tvN variety show "Nest Escape 3" in 2018, revealing that he was battling stage 4 lung cancer. While appearing on the show with his children and continuing his fight against the illness, his health deteriorated, and he passed away last April at the age of 59.