Eye Candy : Lee El for Esquire

 Lee El Esquire, Lee El 2018,

This Esquire editorial with Lee El just exudes modern chic from the photography to the styling to the overall vibe. The first image is such a gorgeous portrait. The talented and striking actress who has made a career out of stand out supporting characters is finally making the leap to leading lady in the romantic comedy What A Man Wants which also stars Lee Sung Min, Song Ji Hyo and Shin Ha Kyun. It's great to see her have a shining moment in an industry saturated with non-talented idols. I've always enjoyed her expressiveness and transformative characterizations. Lee El and Lee Se Young had the two breakout performances in A Korean Odyssey.

The actress recently landed in a bit of hot water after she posted and deleted a photo of Kim Jae Wook, her costar in a musical production of Amadeus. It was a "big deal" because Jae Wook was asleep under a blanket and appeared to be topless. She quickly deleted the photo and even deactivated her Instagram temporarily but not before the image was picked up and circulated by netizens and rumors of a secret romance surfaced. Lee El's agency responded that the photo was taken backstage and denied any romantic involvement between the two stars. Lee El and Kim Jae Wook are known to have a close friendship and they could very well be dating. And there's nothing wrong with that since they're both single and consenting adults. What's sad is the ridiculous public scrutiny and criticism over this harmless incident. I'm not a fan of the oversexualized culture in Western society but the extreme conservatism of dating in Asian society is also problematic in it's own way.

 Lee El Esquire, Lee El 2018,
 Lee El Esquire, Lee El 2018,
 Lee El Esquire, Lee El 2018,

Photos: Esquire Korea

15 comments

Emmylou said...

I love her especially after Goblin. She's so freaking gorgeous! Thanks for this, chingu:) And OMG! Didn't know about that IG hoopla. The SK netizens are brutal!!! I can totally understand why celebs don't want their private life out there like that....I remember what you said about what Song Hye Kyo went through with her relationships:(

Blackswan said...

Love them all, dear! xoxo

Gabrielle said...

Both Lee El and the styling is utterly flawless! I can't get over how beautiful these clothes are; she wears the leather corset so well and with a certain femininity. Just stunning!!

Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x

Lilli said...

I'm amazed by her beauty, she is flawless and the styling is so minimal yet very chic. The skin is perfection, I'm so obsessed with Asian beauty and skin, that's why Im buying Asian brand products most nowadays, thanks to you lol! Kisses dear xo

Doctor Anne said...

Interesting, I didn't know that dating was so conservative in Asian society? I always figured that it was just a little less in your face as it is in our country, which would be a good thing.

Anne - Linda, Libra, Loca

Oh to Be a Muse said...

She's lovely and I adore that belted white dress on her.

www.ohtobeamuse.com

Shireen L. Platt said...

I love how natural the rest of the makeup is and just a beautiful bold lips. No crazy contouring or eyeshadows, just enough to enhance her natural beauty. And what a shame that she landed into hot water about the picture. Two consenting, single adults should face that kind of backlash.

Shireen⎜Reflection of Sanity

Beauty Unearthly said...

Everything looks amazing
xx

Anonymous said...

I love the minimal eye make up with and the focus on the lips instead.

Pilar said...

I love the simplicity of her eye makeup with a bold lip. She looks so elegant in these photos!

Ivana Split said...

Lee El is so beautiful and she looks divine posing for this editorial. The simplicity of the clothes really appeals to me as well.

It's funny how there was so much controversy behind something as simple as taking a photo of a costar, I think that human societies just seem to move towards the extremes, either too conservative or too liberal, it's hard for people to strike a balance...maybe because people don't like to mind their own business and this is always a problem, be it a conservative or a liberal society?

Królowa Karo said...

Beautiful and very interesting photos!

Lena L said...

I love the first portrait! Her face is so modern and versatile. And, I totally agree with your comment about the deleted photo situation. Some things, we just need to care a bit less. ;p

Jenny said...

She's so gorgeous, and I love how natural and minimal her makeup (except for lips) looks ❤️ I wonder if part of the reason why they're so strict in Asia about celebrities dating is because being single adds to their allure? Total speculation but I've heard of a few incidences where the bomb drops and they've actually lost follower on social media!

Jenny // Geeky Posh

Glamour ZONE said...

Definetly learnt something new about the Asian culture. she is so beautiful