More than 20 years after the iconic Korean 18+ comedy Sex is Zero made waves, one of its 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 2, stunned fans with her youthful appearance in recent photos shared online. The actress, now in her mid-40s, is being 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 opened up about the darker side of her post-film experience.
“After those bold scenes in Sex is Zero 2, I started receiving strange messages from strangers — not for work, but invitations to drink or meet privately,” she recalled.
Rumors circulated that she partied heavily at clubs, leading to inappropriate casting offers that demanded more revealing scenes.
“Some people offered tens of millions of won just to get close to me. I wasn’t strong enough to handle it all, so I ran away,” she admitted.
Despite a promising start in the entertainment industry, Lee eventually chose to step away. Before acting, she made a name for herself as a model thanks to her striking figure and 1.73m height. She debuted in showbiz after winning the Freesia Award at the 2000 Korea Supermodel Contest and went on to appear in 10 dramas and 4 films.
Born in 1980, Lee comes from a disciplined family — her father was a police officer — and she holds an economics degree from Sookmyung Women’s University, where she was classmates with Lee Hyori. Though many expected her to soar as an actress, it was her turn to motorsports that truly defined her.
Lee began racing in 2004 and debuted professionally in the CJ Korea Superrace Championship in 2009, joining the Korea Express Racing Team. She placed second in the 1600cc category that year, and by 2016, earned third place in the GT-4 division.
“In racing, no one looks at me differently. Everything I achieve comes from my own efforts,” she shared proudly. “That’s what gives me freedom and happiness.”
In addition to her racing career, Lee is active in social work. She was appointed Anti-School Violence Ambassador in Seoul in 2012 and has been the Vice President of the non-profit Arumhoe since 2016, participating in numerous charity events.
Lee now shares her daily life — from racing and painting to golf and travel — with over 11,000 followers on social media. In mid-2025, she made a surprise comeback with a role in The Devil You Know, and she is set to appear in the upcoming film Abandoned School Neotuber: Wandering Soul of the Jobless later this year.
Though she may have left the mainstream spotlight, Lee Hwa Sun remains an inspiration — a woman who broke stereotypes, walked away from exploitation, and found freedom in unexpected places.
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