Singer Lee Hyori is smiling brightly at the graduation ceremony of Kookmin University on the 14th. [Photo by Kookmin University]
Singer Lee Hyori, a 1998 graduate of the Department of Theater and Film in the School of Performing Arts at Kookmin University, delivered a congratulatory speech at the 2023 Spring Semester Degree Conferment Ceremony held at the university's concert hall on the morning of the 14th. Lee Hyori described herself as "an ordinary student who was neither exceptionally good at acting, nor exceptionally good at singing, nor exceptionally pretty," and said, "I was lucky to debut in the entertainment industry and have been loved and active ever since."
She especially mentioned that she dislikes long speeches or people trying to teach others, advising students to live as their hearts desire and urging them to think of life as 'Ingan Dokgodai' (a Japanese term meaning to go and act alone). After finishing her speech, Lee Hyori sang her hit song 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.'
Below is the full text of Lee Hyori's graduation congratulatory message.
Dear Kookmin University graduates, hello, this is Lee Hyori. Congratulations on your graduation. Despite there being many outstanding alumni, thank you for inviting me here and welcoming me warmly. Coming back to school after a long time, I realized once again that our school is located in a very beautiful place. The magnificent Bukaksan mountain range and the clear, fresh air, which I didn't notice when I was young, felt especially refreshing.
Twenty-six years ago, I entered the Department of Theater and Film at Kookmin University with the dream of "becoming a famous person" rather than strictly an actor. At that time, I was an ordinary student who was neither exceptionally good at acting, nor exceptionally good at singing, nor exceptionally pretty. Well, that hasn't changed much even now, but I was lucky to debut in the entertainment industry and have been loved and active ever since. It took me eight years to graduate from university, so I wonder if I have the right to say anything in front of you, but I will boast a little about having lived a bit longer and talk a bit. Actually, this is my first time giving a speech in front of many people. So, I looked up the word 'speech' in the Korean dictionary to see what it means.
The dictionary defines speech as "stating one's principles, claims, or opinions in front of many people." Principles. Claims. Opinions. But honestly, what I don't like much is when someone tells me their principles, claims, or opinions. Especially when they talk at length, I dislike it even more. At first, I can just listen, but if it repeats several times, I don't want to see that person anymore.
Singer Lee Hyori is delivering a congratulatory message at the Kookmin University graduation ceremony on the 14th. [Photo by Kookmin University]
"You are you, and I am me, so why on earth should I listen to your long speech?" I think I always had such thoughts in my head. I have met such people occasionally in social life, but none of them made a big impact on me. Rather, those who put aside their own principles or claims and listen attentively to others, those who show their way of life without giving long speeches, resonated more deeply with me. So, I don't want to give a long speech here. You wouldn't listen anyway. We don't listen to even the words of our beloved parents, our closest friends, or even great sages like Confucius, Mencius, or Buddha, so why should we listen to someone famous coming here and talking?
Everyone, just live as your heart desires. The one who cares for you more than anyone else and guides you rightly is none other than yourself, and the voice you should listen to more than anyone else's is the voice of your own heart. Throw away the desire to be led by someone who seems better than you, to be enlightened by them, so that your life becomes a little easier. There are people in this world who live with such a mindset. Don't become prey to such people.
Negative voices like "I am weak," "I am stupid," or "I am someone who can't do better" are not your true voice. Of course, I also hear those voices every day, get shaken, and feel frustrated, but I am beginning to realize that beyond those voices, the real me is shouting at myself with all my might. That voice beyond always cherishes and loves me and always tells me to take a better path.
Singer Lee Hyori is performing her popular song "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" after delivering a congratulatory speech at the graduation ceremony of Kookmin University on the 14th. [Photo by Kookmin University]
Everyone, please listen carefully. Even if you can't hear it now because it's too small, if you try to listen with faith, you will feel that voice growing louder. Hold hands with that friend inside you who acknowledges and loves you, and move forward as you are. Don't be shaken by the miscellaneous voices that pretend to care while trying to use you, and try not to trust anyone easily. Be especially cautious of those who approach you saying "We are family." Don't lean on or seek comfort from anyone. Just think of life as 'Ingan Dokgodai.' Become friends with loneliness. Then, you will meet truly precious connections, receive comfort for a while, and then go your way without regrets.
Words don't have great power. Only what you experience firsthand in life will become truly yours. Go out, collide with the world, get hurt a lot, and learn a lot. Then create your own real story. I will look upon you warmly and cheer for you. I thought I wrote this speech for you, but reading it, it seems like words I wrote for myself. These are words I need right now. So, please don't pay much attention to what I just said^^ I'll stop talking now and sing a song happily. Music, please.
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