2008.11.06 | Interview
It's been a while, but when I think of Lee Dong Wook, I can't help but think of "Sweet Life". It seems that this drama has become a representative work beyond "My Girl"
It seems like a lot of people think that way, so it's exaggerated and embarrassing. In fact, from the beginning, I braced myself for it to be difficult, and I never let go of the tension until the end of episode 24. I felt like I was going to fall off a cliff if I shook even a little bit. Even the slightest twist in emotions can affect both the front and the back and shake the character. If you do well in acting, you can play it, but if not, it's a very emotional role, so I put all my energy into doing five or six dramas. It was difficult to endure even 10 more minutes while filming the last scene.
It seemed that acting was more difficult than the other characters.
It's like acting crazy. There was once a scene where he sat on the roof and wrapped his arms around his knees, shaking with fear and then laughing. After filming that scene, my shirt was soaked with sweat. It really feels like I'm exhausted.
Why did you choose such a difficult project?
I wanted to break away from the stereotypical image that comes to mind when I think of Lee Dong Wook. White face, Scion style? (laughs) There is nothing good in being limited to such an image. Also, I'm generally drawn to Al Pacino's diabolical role in "Devils Advertisement," but somehow I thought it might bring Junsu Lee closer to that character.
If the answer was good like that, most of them thought long and hard about appearing in the next job.
Depending on what the next job will look like, the assessment seems to be mixed. So it's heavier and the next one might be harder than it is now.
Those who don't know that "The Man's Book, page 198" was filmed before "Sweet Life" may feel that Lee Dong Wook's move is surprising.
That's why the people who became fans of this drama weren't expecting much (laughs). Because the movie is a soft romance, it casts an image that somehow seems to have returned to seolgong-chan-ryu.
Well, no. He's not a nobleman, but in fact, he's the stupidest average guy I've ever played. There is a scene in which he has a conversation with Master Ki Joo-bong, who appears as a friend of his father's deceased father, and was so engrossed in that scene that his heart ached, which is why he cried during two hours. He is such a pure character, and there is a little twist at the end of the movie, but he felt attractive because he was a character at the center of the mystery.
I wonder what kind of man Lee Dong Wook is when he's dating. Is he aggressive like a drama, or is he pure love like a movie?
It's not much fun. He is frank and does not do events. So he is not very popular with women. breaking it because he smells bad because he looks good. But I guess that's my way of expressing myself.
You may not have had a heartbreaking love.
Why have I never cried for love until he is old enough? Movie love, it's not like that, but I've already experienced enough broken-hearted pain. Of course, he was bound by the love he had left and did not separate himself entirely. All in agreement (laughs).
How was your youth? Was he stupid, smart, or exemplary?
I didn't know anything and just worked. I made my debut with "School 2" in high school and worked until now, so this is my ninth year. But I'm just getting old and I don't know much about the world. Also, there are times when I am anxious because it is the only thing I know how to do. It's really difficult when you think, "What will I do if I stop doing this?" So my youth was always a life of a non-regular worker, and I was in the position of an employee who had to be chosen by someone. Even if you get to a position where you can make decisions due to rising popularity, you must have consistent public support and strong skills to do what you want. This job is more difficult the more you do it. It was a process to realize that.
Have you ever wanted to do something else?
No matter how much I think about it, there's nothing I can do more than this (laughs), so I haven't done it yet. It was difficult, but I thought this was happiness. My friends are struggling to enter society now, but I am doing what I want 8 or 9 years ahead of me.
Have you ever been frustrated or hated yourself for your performance?
The 6-7 years before "My Girl" were days when I wondered why I couldn't do this. Oh this is my limit, there were many times when I thought I had to hit it and fell into a depression. Still, seeing that I didn't give up, it seems like there's something inside of me ... I don't know. Miraculous.
I will fall in love with the role of Seol Gong-chan.
Of course. Also, it is difficult to establish a place in Korea, but I was wondering how to gain popularity abroad, but something unexpected happened with "My Girl". As it was sold in Asian countries, it became a sensational popularity, and when I woke up one day, I became a Hallyu star. Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, etc. I have experienced 6 countries in one episode of this drama.
How do you feel when you see a foreign fan who doesn't speak the language like you?
I felt a sense of responsibility because people I didn't know, people with different skin colors and languages, loved me.
When interviewing stars, people who are a bit more popular show things that are uncomfortable to deal with at some point. In fact, I was a little worried today, but I'm glad it wasn't.
It is still a long way from that.
Are you saying that you will do that in the future?
I hope it doesn't happen later. If that is the case, it means there is still a long way to go if there is no choice but to become one. But people say that the environment changes people, that's why the people around me get too close to me (laughs).
Seeing how the staff treats the actors unconditionally, I think it can be poisonous to the actors themselves. But looking at him today, I was surprised that he wasn't polite enough to think that they were all friends even before they met as actors and staff.
Aren't our staff members talking to each other as well? I'm stupid (laughs). But not when recording. At work, it is a warning that everyone should work hard on their assigned task. A manager has to be good at managing schedules and driving, a stylist and hairdressing staff have to be good stylists, and I have to be good at acting. Anyway, the end result is my performance on screen, so if I make a mistake and have a hard time making it difficult, everyone will curse me.
Are you really humble?
You seem to understand the subject well.
How about while you act?
When I act, I point out what I don't want to do. Some people see such things as arrogant and respectful for saying everything they have to say, but that's a very bad idea. As the male lead, I have to lead the play, but isn't it more wrong not to say such a word? It's not okay, it's not okay, it's okay, and if your opinion doesn't match, you have to resolve it through dialogue. But it's a shame the scene still doesn't seem to accept so well.
You have a lot of greed
I am greedy. Most of it is about acting. But there are those around me who say they have no greed. All the actors I work with are doing well, but what about getting others to do good things? of course you worry Do you take care of yourself just to satisfy your greed, or do you focus on the general harmony and throw away a bit of what is mine? It seems to be a difficult problem.
You say that you have dreamed of becoming an actor since high school, how did you know that dream then?
I studied a bit until high school, but when I got to high school, I hated studying so much. What is in front of my desk hurts and I have no specific goal for what I want to become. Then I thought about becoming a Korean teacher or running a hotel, but I hated it because I had to keep studying. It was frustrating to be buried in books and locked in the library. Then one day, while watching a movie, I asked myself, "How would it feel if my face was full on that big screen? Should you be ashamed? Would you like it?" He asked me what I couldn't do. That day, I recklessly told my father that I was going to an acting academy and he asked me, "Can I live off of it for the rest of my life?" After thinking about it for two days, I decided to do it.
When was the first time you made money from this job?
While attending an acting academy, she won the grand prize in a modeling contest organized by a clothing company. At that time, I received a check for 1 million won as a prize money, but it was too big, so I folded the check and put it in my back pocket. I was so nervous while riding the subway for over two hours. Worried the money would be lost, I tapped, tapped, and checked. When I got home, I gave my parents 1 million won, I was exhausted and collapsed.
What was it like recklessly going to acting school? Did you feel that you had a gift for yourself?
I do not have food. Still no pinch. And I don't think he's acting with food.
But standing in front of the camera and acting in a different life is not something that ordinary people can do. It's not just a skill, it seems like it has something special.
(Thinking about it for a while) Anyway, it doesn't seem to matter, I don't know. At first, of course, it was embarrassing and uncomfortable. But all the kids who gathered at the acting academy got together to practice acting, so I didn't feel too nervous to go on stage because of that thought. And when I was in high school, I was actively involved in broadcasting class and my seniors told me to do a lot of strange things. On the subway, I made them shout, “I am Ramboda!”, Beg and sing. That seems to have fostered immunity to situations where people stand out from others and receive attention.
As those gangsters are, I thought there was something stronger than anyone in my heart, but the Choi Jin-sil case was a shock.
I was also surprised. Jaehwan hyung worked together on a project, and Choi Jinsil is someone who has been watching TV for over 20 years ... But I think I can understand that loneliness. Because I'm suddenly like that too. Sometimes it is so difficult and crazy, but there is no one to replace it with. Whether he's a freshman rookie, a 30-year veteran, a leading role, or a minor role, if he can't take responsibility for acting from him, that's it. It's very lonely and difficult when you feel like this.
The shadow of popularity is like loneliness.
The higher the popularity, the deeper the path to descend. It could even be a moment. It seems hard to bear the thought of being forgotten at some point. Next year, I have to go to the military too, but the biggest concern is "What if I go and the place to stand is tight?", Aside from the fact that I'm having a hard time and I don't have a free life.
However, it looks great.
Two or three years ago, I thought going to the army would be a waste of time, but now I have to go anyway, so I try to draw it. The closer I get, the emptier my heart seems.
What kind of son are you at home?
It's like when you are in love. A bit brusque, a son who doesn't go against his faith.
Do you think you have grown?
He did not grow up rich and, seeing his efforts to contribute to the family finances, seems to have matured. Everyone grows up early when the house is a little rough, but I think it's good when you look at life in a big way.
Even if you think about it yourself, there is something wrong with it.
It is more honest than absurd. When I do an interview, they always ask me the same questions about who is the character in this movie and if there is an episode, and when that happens I say, "Can't you search the internet?" If you look for my name, everything will come to light. I really hope you will. When it comes to premieres or production briefings, there are times when more than 15 outlets are interviewed in one day. I feel like a parrot because I keep giving the same answers to similar questions.
The last question. What is Lee Dong Wook's human dream?
In the near future, a good father and a good husband. Anyway, I think the most important thing is family. I want to work hard and become a good father and husband. A person who does not miss the children's sports day, does well and always gives strength to his wife. Because work is hectic and irregular, I make a promise in advance because I'm afraid I won't be able to keep it well. And if you look a little further, a man who looks good in a suit even when he becomes a grandfather.
Source: Singles Korea Magazine
Translation: Latin Fan Community
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