Sang-A Lee: "For Me, It's a Documentary, Not Entertainment... I Lost the Mental Battle" Leaving AERO Couple

Actor Lee Sang-ah. Photo by 'Aero Couple'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Actress Lee Sang-ah is stepping down from the Channel A and SkyTV variety show 'Couples Who Want to Get Hot Again.'

On the 17th, Lee Sang-ah posted on her Instagram, "It was hard, it was tough... After the first recording... I said, 'I can't do this, please take me out'... Only today have I let it go," expressing her feelings about leaving the show. She added, "In the battle with my mental strength... I lost."

She continued, "From planning to selecting the MC... we started 'Couples Who Want to Get Hot Again' with great enthusiasm after discussing it together, but the atmosphere during the recordings was tougher than I expected," and said, "For me, it was not a variety show but a documentary."

Regarding the production team of 'Couples Who Want to Get Hot Again,' she said, "Someone gave me this opportunity... I am very sorry for not being able to see it through until the end," and added, "I don't know who will fill my spot, but fighting to 'Couples Who Want to Get Hot Again.' I look forward to the great teamwork."

Earlier, on the 11th, Lee Sang-ah posted a lengthy message on her Instagram along with a screenshot of a KakaoTalk conversation with a friend. The captured conversation reflected her feelings after the broadcast of 'Couples Who Want to Get Hot Again.'

At that time, Lee Sang-ah said, "After monitoring the 'Couples Who Want to Get Hot Again' broadcast, my chest feels tight. So after the broadcast, I called a friend and talked about various things to find myself," adding, "When I watch the story videos, I get lost in my thoughts alone, and when I try to express it in words, I stutter. Even if I say the same thing, the empathy received by the listener would be different. Everyone says after watching the broadcast that I don't seem like myself... I didn't know I would shrink like this either."

She went on, "I need to break myself... but it seems I still can't get out of three divorces. I keep trying to hide it, not show it, and endure it... I'm so used to those things that even after watching the story videos, I can't organize my feelings into words," and said, "I need to keep practicing breaking myself. Even if the other person resists, I will stand firm. I can do it, right? Let's quickly get a grip and find my position," comforting herself.

Meanwhile, 'Couples Who Want to Get Hot Again' is a talk show variety program for couples. It first aired on July 27 and has broadcast a total of 16 episodes as of the 16th.

Currently, besides Lee Sang-ah, Choi Hwa-jung, Hong Jin-kyung, Lee Yong-jin, and Yang Jae-jin appear as MCs.

Lee Sang-ah has served as a cast member who can speak honestly about the topics, playing a different role between 'unmarried woman' Choi Hwa-jung and 'currently married' Hong Jin-kyung.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.