Lee Hyo-Ri is one of the biggest names in Korea’s pop music. The singer, however, says her skepticism about her singing career drove her to seek a new challenge in acting.

Lee was making her acting debut in the drama ``Three Leaf Clover TV Series (Seibkulobo),’’ In it, she played Kang Jin-ah, a factory worker who is positive and strong-willed despite her poor family background and many hardships.

``I would like to appeal to viewers with my humane and natural aspects rather than showiness and sexiness as a singer,’’ Lee said during a news conference for the drama in Kyonggi Province on Thursday. ``In the drama, the makeup and lighting isn’t strong and my clothes are humble, but I want to show other qualities through these new surroundings.’’

A former member of the pop group Fin.K.L, Lee hit it big with the song ``10 Minutes’’ and received five out of the seven major end-of-the-year awards in 2003. Lee said acting felt difficult at the early stages of shooting ``Three Leaf Clover.’’

``In order to identify with and understand my character in the drama, I read novels and watched documentary films featuring characters trying to overcome difficult environments,’’ she said. She also went to a shipyard in Koje Island in South Kyongsang Province to witness the lives of factory workers. ``Everything came as a shock to me.’’

Lee added: ``It is also possible that I may regret choosing acting after the drama ends, but at the moment, I feel happy about my decision. I will release my new album when I feel I am sufficiently prepared.’’