Lee Ji-hye rebuffs criticism over bulk bread purchase at Sungsimdang

Lee Ji-hye, a broadcaster and singer known from the group Shop, has responded to criticism that she bought large quantities of bread at the popular Daejeon bakery Sungsimdang without consideration for other customers waiting in line.

In an Instagram Story on Wednesday, Lee rebuffed the accusations. "Swept it all up? I'm curious what the point of stirring up this controversy is," she wrote, adding that she had visited Daejeon for a shoot and "simply handled the payment so that each staff member could take one."

The backlash began after a photo circulated online showing Lee posing with 11 insulated bags, which some users said amounted to a bulk purchase that left other shoppers empty-handed. "People come from all over the country to buy bread here — how can you buy this much and leave nothing for the next person?" one commenter wrote. "No consideration for the people behind you," said another.

Lee pushed back by posting a follow-up photo showing the staff members' names written on the bags, arguing that all but three — her share and her husband's — had been distributed among the production crew.

Lee married tax accountant Moon Jae-wan in 2017 and has two daughters.