Lee Young-ae will make own decisions, says husband

Top Hallyu star Lee Young-ae's husband says he will leave it up to Lee to decide on whether she will continue her studies and acting career after their recent marriage in the United States.

Lee's husband, identified only by his last name Jeong, made the remark upon arrival in Korea on Thursday to broadcaster KBS which disclosed the interview in their morning news the following day.

"She will probably continue to go to school but that and whether she will continue to pursue her acting career, are all up to her. And of course I will respect her decisions," said Jeong who explained he was briefly visiting Korea on business.

Lee, who reportedly returned to Korea on Wednesday, will live in the U.S. with her husband but is set to start doctoral studies at Hanyang University's Graduate School of Theater and Cinema this semester.

To questions on when the newlywed will remark officially on their marriage to the public, Jeong said, "We will in due time. Lee will know when to and will do it well."

"It would be good to read and hear good things from the press, not just bad gossip. It's important because its those things that leads to fights and even divorce," he added regarding the heated media attention surrounding their marriage.

Lee, best known for her role in hit TV drama "Jewel in the Palace", took all of Asia by surprise when her legal advisor revealed through a press release that she married a 55-year-old man on August 24 in the United States.

Jeong is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology and works in the IT industry in the U.S.

Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr