Who is Lee Kaja: The woman behind one of Myeongdong’s most famous salons

Madame Lee Kaja, the legendary founder of her eponymous beauty chain LEEKAJA Beauty Salon, knows beauty. The moment we stepped into her presence, her energy filled the room. Before our hour-long interview even began, she reached into her handbag and pulled out three handmade necklaces, holding them up with a playful smile. In an instant, she had matched each one to our personalities — myself and two public relations representatives — and our individual style. It was a small gesture, but it revealed everything about her: a keen eye, a love of creativity, and a lively, giving spirit.

From a modest salon in Mapo to her famous location in Myeongdong, LEEKAJA has grown into a global brand with around 250 branches in China, Vietnam, the UK, and beyond. “Before my memory fades, I want to lay out my knowledge so LEEKAJA stylists can be trained with the right steps,” she says. And with Singapore, she sees a new opportunity: “It’s a metropolitan, sophisticated city. I’m very proud that LEEKAJA can connect with people here. This new outlet is directly owned, and we have two more coming. All training is done by our HQ staff using LEEKAJA products.”

Since opening on 1 November 2025, LEEKAJA’s first directly HQ-operated flagship at TANGS Plaza has brought Singapore a first glimpse of the brand’s celebrated K-style artistry and thoughtful luxury salon experience — a reflection of Madame Lee’s vision and meticulous approach to beauty.

Her instinct for beauty has guided LEEKAJA for more than fifty years. In 2008, she was invited to China to teach hairstyling and personal presentation at Tsinghua University, helping women preparing to appear on camera refine their overall look. It was there that she reinforced her belief in K-style: a cohesive approach where hair, makeup, and fashion come together in a way that is effortless and easy to maintain. Now living on her island home in Jindo, Madame Lee reflects on the journey that shaped her, the principles that guide her work, and what she hopes Singapore will take from her vision.

Q: You started in this industry at a time when hairstyling and makeup weren’t respected. What was that like?

A: “Sixty-three years ago, when I was 21, hairstylists and makeup artists weren’t respected in Korea. After the Japanese occupation and the Korean War, the economy was struggling, and hairdressing and makeup were seen as lowly work. I was actually in nursing school at the time, but I quit in secret. From that moment, I made it my mission to turn this vocation into a true professional career.”

Q: How did you begin transforming the status of hairdressing?

A: “The first thing I did was systemise everything. In the past, staff would just call each other, ‘Hey’. I changed that to senior stylist, designer, intern — proper titles so everyone could have pride and self-esteem. I taught myself using books, got my hairdressing license, and visited four different salons to learn their strengths and weaknesses. Myeongdong used to intimidate me, but once I studied them, I realised I could make my salon in Mapo even trendier.”

Q: How do you create a personalised look for someone?

A: “I analyse the person’s facial shape, their lifestyle — everything — and offer something they can maintain at home. Trends are also different before and after 30. In your 20s, a natural look can amplify youth. After 30, natural might not be enough — you need a more sophisticated cut, like layers, to lift the face.”

Q: What is your philosophy of beauty today?

A: “A salon is not only about vanity. Hair can amplify your inner character. One person becomes more professional, or their relationships improve — many areas of life can change when you discover your true beauty. I see beauty in everyone, even when they don’t see it themselves.”

Q: What do you notice about Singapore’s beauty needs?

A: “Singapore has a lot of humidity. For frizzy hair, I recommend a perm to remove the frizz, and scalp care to reduce sensitivity. Styling cannot be complete when the hair and scalp are damaged. Proper scalp care can even improve your skin tone because it helps circulation and detoxes the scalp — just like cleansing your face.”

Q: With your experience, how would you advise someone looking to transform their look?

A: “Start by understanding your face shape, your body shape, and the purpose of your makeover. What is your job? What is your lifestyle? It cannot be an abstract idea. When you draw out your inner beauty, people around you feel that positive energy too.”

LEEKAJA is located at 310 Orchard Rd, #04-12/13 Tangs Plaza, Singapore 238864