Lee Jung-eun, a former member of the group Aurora, broke down in tears as she spoke about her daughter with autism.
On the 31st, Lee Jung-eun appeared on JTBC's variety show 'Hidden Singer 8' under the name 'Binari Sim Soo-bong'. She shared, "In 2010, I was the main vocalist of the trot girl group Aurora. I auditioned with Sim Soo-bong's 'Binari' and achieved my dream of becoming a singer," expressing her admiration for singer Sim Soo-bong.
Lee Jung-eun explained the origin of her nickname 'Binari Sim Soo-bong', saying, "As soon as I started singing in the recording studio, the producer stood up and said, 'I've been searching for a voice like Sim Soo-bong's for over 20 years. Where have you been?' That's how 'Binari' became the song of my life."
Sim Soo-bong, upon hearing Lee's singing, praised her voice, saying, "Your nasal tone is completely deceptive," while host Jun Hyun-moo added, "In today's terms, you're a 'scam character'." Jun Hyun-moo then asked about Lee's current activities, inquiring if she was still active with Aurora.
Lee Jung-eun shared her recent life, saying, "I got married and had a child who was diagnosed with level 1 autism." She continued, "Raising my child has been the happiest time of my life, but sometimes it feels like we're all alone in this world." She added, "However, my daughter plays the piano well. I hope that one day she will play the piano while I sing on stage."
She became emotional as she mentioned, "There's a song by Sim Soo-bong that includes a story about a child. The lyrics mention a bird that can't fly, which reminds me of my daughter." She added, "I will raise her so she can soar through the world." Sim Soo-bong warmly embraced Lee Jung-eun, offering words of encouragement, "Stay strong. This meeting is not just a coincidence. I will pray for you."
Lee Jung-eun, who was active with the trot girl group Aurora, announced her departure from the group after two years. In 2019, she appeared on KBS 1TV's 'Singing is Good', showcasing her outstanding vocal skills. At that time, trot singer Jang Yoon-jung asked, "Why haven't you resumed your activities despite being a promising junior?" Lee Jung-eun revealed her daughter's language disorder diagnosis, which surprised many.
Sumin Lee, TenAsia Reporter danbilee19@tenasia.co.kr