We've compiled a comprehensive overview of W Korea editor-in-chief Lee Hye-ju's age, education, and career, as well as the recent controversy surrounding her donations and her concurrent position as a director of the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation. We delve into the true nature of the "Love Your W" campaign and the embezzlement allegations.

1. Who is W Korea Editor-in-Chief Lee Hye-ju?

Editor-in-Chief Lee Hye-ju, who is currently the editor-in-chief of fashion magazine W Korea and CEO of Doosan Magazine, has a long career in the domestic fashion industry.

 

Previously, she was known as the fashion director of Vogue, editor-in-chief of Vogue Girl, and judge of OnStyle's 'Korea's Next Top Model'.

In the fashion world, he is known for his sensible concepts and ability to read trends well, and he also has a large network of celebrity connections.

2. Age and education

Editor-in-Chief Lee Hye-ju I received my Ph.D. in Fashion Studies from Dongduk Women's University's Graduate School of Fashion.
Although his exact year of birth has not been revealed, based on his industry activity period and interview data, he is estimated to have been born in the mid to late 1970s.

 

 

I am a veteran who has been working in the fashion magazine industry for over 20 years, leading all aspects of content, from planning to styling and brand collaboration.

3. Controversy over concurrent positions as director of the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation

The core of the recent controversy is Editor-in-Chief Lee Hye-ju. The fact that I also serve as a director of the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation, which receives donations for W Korea's breast cancer awareness campaign.

 

 

In other words, the controversy over conflict of interest arose due to the structural problem that the directors of the entity collecting donations (W Korea) and the organization receiving the donations (Korea Breast Cancer Foundation) are the same person.

 

As this fact became known "Transparency in donations was not ensured," "Wasn't this just publicity in the name of public interest?" Criticism continues.

4. The Full Story of the Donation Controversy ('Love Your W' Campaign)

 

W Korea has been holding the event every year since 2007. Under the name 'Love Your W' We have been running a breast cancer awareness campaign.

 

However, according to data recently released by Rep. Lee Su-jin of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee,

W Korea's actual cumulative donation amount from 2007 to November 2025 is 315.69 million won.

 

On the other hand, W Korea has been They have been promoting it as “a cumulative donation of 1.1 billion won.”

furthermore There were no donation records in 2008, 2009, 2017-2023,
The specific donor organization was not disclosed, other than the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation.

This raised suspicions of inflated donation amounts.

5. Criticism and Embezzlement Suspicions of the "Breast Cancer Omission Breast Cancer Event"

 

On October 15, 2025, W Korea The 20th anniversary event 'Love Your W 2025' was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul.

 

 

Contrary to the purpose of 'raising awareness of breast cancer', only scenes of celebrities drinking and partying were posted on social media, sparking an explosion of criticism.
Criticism followed, calling it a 'breast cancer event without breast cancer' and a 'drinking party disguised as a charity event.'

 

Additionally, there are suspicions of embezzlement, with some of the donations not being properly delivered, as the cumulative donation amount revealed by W Korea differs significantly from the actual amount.

As of now, W Korea has not provided a clear explanation regarding the donation details or how it was used.

 

6. Disappearance from social media and deterioration of public opinion

 

As the controversy grew Editor Lee Hye-ju has stopped using social media and deleted (archived) all of her Instagram posts.
Because the account had over 80,000 followers, netizens responded by saying, “They are avoiding responsibility” and “They are cowardly.”

 

 

In particular, there were continued criticisms that W Korea's official Instagram account was trying to avoid criticism by closing the comment section on the apology post.

 

Q&A

 

Q1. Who is Editor-in-Chief Lee Hye-ju?
→ She holds a Ph.D. from Dongduk Women's University's Graduate School of Fashion and is currently the editor-in-chief of W Korea and CEO of Doosan Magazine.

 

Q2. What controversy was there?
→ Allegations of inflated donation amounts and conflicts of interest have been raised for the 'Love Your W' breast cancer awareness campaign.

 

Q3. How much is the actual donation?
→ The accumulated amount from 2007 to 2025 is approximately 315.69 million won, which is a significant difference from the 1.1 billion won advertised by W Korea.

 

Q4. Are there any suspicions of embezzlement?
→ Although it has not been officially proven, some netizens are raising suspicions because the details of how the donations were used are unclear.

 

Q5. What is W Korea's current position?
→ Although an apology was posted, the comments section was closed and no specific donation details or explanation regarding the foundation were provided.

 

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