More than 20 years after the iconic Korean comedy 18+ Sex is zero made headlines, one of the most talked about cast members is making headlines again, not just for her role, but for her resilience and age-defying looks.
Lee Hwa Sun, who had a supporting role in Sex is zero 2she stunned fans with her youthful looks in recent photos shared online. The actress, now in her mid-40s, is praised for her natural beauty and healthy lifestyle, but her journey hasn’t always been easy.
In a 2020 appearance on a talk show hosted by Kang Ho Dong, Lee spoke about the darker side of his post-film experience.
“After those racy scenes in Sex is Zero 2, I started receiving strange messages from strangers, not for work, but invitations to have a drink or meet in private,” he recalled.
Rumors circulated that she would party hard in clubs, leading to inappropriate casting offers calling for more revealing scenes.
“Some people offered tens of millions of won just to get close to me. I wasn’t strong enough to handle everything, so I ran away.” he admitted.
Despite a promising start in the entertainment industry, Lee ultimately chose to step away. Before acting, she made a name for herself as a model thanks to her striking figure and her height of 1.73 m. She made her entertainment debut after winning the Freesia Award at the 2000 Korea Supermodel Contest and has appeared in 10 dramas and 4 films.
Born in 1980, Lee comes from a disciplined family – her father was a police officer – and earned a business degree from Sookmyung Women’s University, where she was Lee Hyori’s classmate. While many expected her to take flight as an actress, it was her turn to motorsports that truly defined her.
Lee began racing in 2004 and made his professional debut in the CJ Korea Superrace Championship in 2009, joining the Korea Express Racing Team. That year it placed second in the 1600cc category and in 2016 it earned third place in the GT-4 division.
“In racing, no one looks at me differently. Everything I achieve comes from my efforts” he shared proudly. “This is what gives me freedom and happiness.”
In addition to her racing career, Lee is active in social work. She was named Seoul Anti-School Violence Ambassador in 2012 and has served as vice president of the non-profit Arumhoe since 2016, participating in numerous charity events.
Lee now shares his daily life, from running to painting, golfing and traveling, with more than 11,000 followers on social media. In mid-2025, he made a surprise return with a role in The devil you knowand will appear in the upcoming film Abandoned school Neotuber: the wandering soul of the unemployed by the end of the year.
Although she has left the mainstream spotlight, Lee Hwa Sun remains an inspiration: a woman who broke stereotypes, distanced herself from exploitation, and found freedom in unexpected places.
