IU, HanSo-hee, Lee Yi Kyung and Jeon Jong Seo: Celebrities who dropped out of college to follow their dreams

ETimes.in | Last updated on – January 18, 2024, 05:30 PM IST

IU, HanSo-hee, Lee Yi Kyung and Jeon Jong Seo: celebrities who dropped out of college to pursue their dreams

The road to fame often involves bold decisions, and for some celebrities, that meant saying goodbye to the traditional educational path. In the glittering world of show business where dreams reign supreme, these brave souls decided to step away from textbooks and classrooms and embark on the unpredictable journey of fame. From sacrificing privacy to relentlessly navigating the spotlight, these risk-takers have mastered it all in their relentless quest to make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry. Join us as we explore the journey of IU, Jeon Jeong Seo, Han So-hee and Lee Yi Kyung – four stars who dared to step out and turn their dreams into reality.

​Han So Hee

Han So-hee, the talented actress, spilled the beans about her unconventional path to stardom during a conversation with actor Park Seo-joon on the YouTube series “Nattering with Nah.” Revealing her thwarted French dreams, she confessed: “I debuted at the age of 25. I was accepted into a French university. But I had to have 60 million won in my bank account to get a visa. Since I didn't have 60 million won, I couldn't go.” Undeterred, she accepted a gig at a bar and tried her hand at modeling. With the plan to shoot commercials and raise the necessary amount, fate had other ideas and now she is ruling the Korean entertainment scene.

Advertising

Lee Yi Kyung

Lee Yi Kyung, the comedic genius of “Welcome to Waikiki,” once revealed the unexpected reason he left school early. During an appearance on Please Take Care of My Fridge in 2019, the actor opened up about his academic detour. He had said: “I dropped out of high school early, lived in an attic apartment in the Noryangjin district and got to where I am today. To support myself, I started taking part-time jobs. I worked at a DVD and comic rental store. The store, which had been making losses for eight months, generated a surplus of 800 won (about US$0.70) after three months. The owner asked me, a teenager, to run the store.”

Lee Yi Kyung's father is reportedly the CEO of a major company and gave the actor the strategic recommendation to exit. Lee Yi Kyun had added, “It’s been a while since he retired. My father suggested that I drop out of school. I used to play sports, but I gave up because I was injured. After my dream disappeared, I developed mental illness.” [depression]. My father said, “Just live and do what you want to do,” and signed my signature [school] Payout papers.”

​IU

IU, the versatile singer and actress, has chosen a different type of education – one that focuses on her booming career rather than textbooks. On the talk show “Win Win,” IU revealed her decision to defer college: “I want to go to college when I'm ready,” and joked about her not-so-great high school grades. With numerous top albums and starring roles in hit dramas such as “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo,” “Hotel Del Luna,” and “My Mister,” IU’s success has already earned her the Prime Minister’s Award at the 2015 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards. Who needs a cap and gown when you have a microphone and a spotlight?

​Jeon Jong Seo

Jeon Jong Seo, the industry's rising star, proves that success doesn't always require a university degree. The Seoul-born actress, who spent her early years in Maple Country, Canada, reportedly returned to Korea to graduate from the prestigious Anyang Arts High School. Although Jeon briefly enrolled at Sejong University with majors in film and theater, she decided that academia was not for her. According to the Korean Film Council, “she eventually decided to quit after a year because she had no particular interest in the type of lectures that were offered there.” Opting for a more practical approach, Jeon opted for private acting classes to hone her skills. We ask ourselves: Who needs textbooks when you have talent?

Get alerts on the latest TOI news

Expand