[Exclusive] Cool Lee Jae-hoon "I Wanted to Protect My Ordinary Wife and Family..." Heartfelt Confession

Cool Lee Jae-hoon / Photo by EM Company

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Lee Jae-hoon of the group Cool, who revealed that he is married with two children, has confessed his feelings about the late disclosure.

On the 5th, Lee Jae-hoon revealed that he got married in 2009, had a daughter in 2010, and a son in 2013. On his fan cafe, Lee said, "Before being a singer who lives by the love of the public, I wanted to be a man who lives confidently and stylishly anywhere," adding, "Becoming a celebrity at a young age and always feeling the public's gaze, I grew up in an awkward state where it was difficult to judge what in my life should be revealed and what should be restrained from exposure."

He continued, "Then I met someone I loved, and just hesitated, so time passed without bringing it out to the world. Even though I had no intention, I always felt sorry to you all during the days I lived hiding something. I enjoyed being together and wanted to build a future with that person. She was a precious person who understood and cared for my special circumstances, shared both happy and sad moments, and prayed for me."

Lee Jae-hoon said, "In a normal process, I should have shared the future with that person with many people and sought blessings, but I couldn't. When the child came, I decided to confess several times, but thinking of my wife, who is a private citizen and feels burdened by others' attention, we held a very small and modest wedding with only our families, relatives, and acquaintances. That's how I became a father of two children and came to today without revealing anything to the world," adding, "I thought a lot about whether protecting my private wife and family was causing hurt, and I decided to confess all the facts as soon as possible and live confidently as a husband and father."

Lee Jae-hoon debuted in the music industry in 1994 with Cool's first album. He has released numerous hit songs such as "Lover on the Beach," "Songin," and "Sorrow."

Below is Lee Jae-hoon's full statement

To the Jaehoon Samos family,

Hello.

Um... It’s been a very long time since I last posted on Jaehoon Samos. As I try to say what I wanted to say, feelings of apology and gratitude arise along with various emotions.

Today, I want to confess the truth I have been hiding.

To all of you who have sent consistent affection over many years, the reason I couldn’t get closer to you was probably because guilt in my heart blocked me. To everyone who may be disappointed or bewildered by the story of my family that I am only now revealing, I sincerely apologize without further ado.

Before being a singer who lives by the love of the public, I wanted to be a man who lives confidently and stylishly anywhere. Becoming a celebrity at a young age and always feeling the public’s gaze, I grew up in an awkward state where it was difficult to judge what in my life should be revealed and what should be restrained from exposure.

Then I met someone I loved, and just hesitated, so time passed without bringing it out to the world. Even though I had no intention, I always felt sorry to you all during the days I lived hiding something. I enjoyed being together and wanted to build a future with that person. She was a precious person who understood and cared for my special circumstances, shared both happy and sad moments, and prayed for me.

In a normal process, I should have shared the future with that person with many people and sought blessings, but I couldn’t. When the child came, I decided to confess several times, but thinking of my wife, who is a private citizen and feels burdened by others’ attention, we held a very small and modest wedding with only our families, relatives, and acquaintances. That’s how I became a father of two children and came to today without revealing anything to the world.

I thought a lot about whether protecting my private wife and family was causing hurt, and I decided to confess all the facts as soon as possible and live confidently as a husband and father. After confessing, even more thoughts have come flooding in.

If I had been honest with you from the beginning, you would have been the ones who cherished and blessed my family more than anyone else... I am very sorry. Currently, my family is living abroad where my in-laws reside. Although we have not received many people’s blessings, I am grateful to my wife who has always shown infinite consideration and concession for me, and I hope my wife becomes the happiest person through this confession. I cautiously ask for much support and loving interest from many people and will end my apology here.

February 2020.

This was the confession of Lee Jae-hoon, who has lived hesitating and suffering silently for over ten years without confidently revealing his personal life.