Lee Jong-suk wants no introduction. The main man in South Korean tv and movie has been making waves because the starting of his profession. Lee, who made his runway debut at Seoul Style Week in 2005, additionally grew to become the youngest male mannequin to have ever completed so.
5 years later, Lee made his performing debut within the South Korean tv collection Prosecutor Princess (2010). However his breakthrough solely got here in 2012 when he began in College 2013. Since then, Lee has starred in varied excessive profile South Korean dramas: I Can Hear Your Voice (2013), Physician Stranger (2014), Pinocchio (2014), W (2016), Whereas You Had been Sleeping (2017), Romance Is a Bonus E book (2019), and Massive Mouth (2022).
To say that his roles on tv and movies have garnered him an enormous fan base can be an understatement. With 26.3 million followers (and counting) on Instagram, it’s secure to say that he’s one of many greatest stars of his technology. Other than working and spending time together with his beau, South Korean singer-songwriter IU, Lee can be busy together with his tour.
Lee launched into his “Expensive, My With” fan assembly tour in July this yr throughout 11 Asian cities, with the Singapore leg in October. Introduced in by Hatchery and 54 Leisure, Lee’s fan assembly in Singapore befell on the Esplanade Theatre.
We caught up with the South Korean actor to seek out out extra about what he’s been as much as.
You’ve completed romance, motion and thriller movies. What different style would you prefer to strive?
I’ve been questioning if I ought to proceed doing romantic dramas, though my followers love them. But when I get the chance, I’d prefer to strive performing in a historic drama at the very least as soon as.
Having labored alongside a number of profitable actors, what’s one lesson every of them have taught you and what would you move on to a newcomer?
Not fairly a lesson, however via observing how different actors interpret the identical traces in a script in several methods has at all times been inspiring to me. I usually discover myself interested by how they managed to muster the feelings and expressions from these phrases each time I see them performing the traces out.
I’ve learnt loads by watching my co-stars act. I’m somebody who believes I nonetheless have loads to enhance on, so I’m apprehensive about giving out recommendation to another person. That mentioned, I wish to emphasise on the significance of exhausting work in no matter you do. If in case you have a strong basis, it is possible for you to to overcome something — similar to in sports activities.
In my case, I’ve been actively working on this trade for about 10 years. And upon reflection, I really feel that I may’ve constructed a stronger basis. So, my recommendation is to construct up your fundamental abilities and have a great basis earlier than beginning on something you’d love to do.
How do you spend your time outdoors of labor? What helps you loosen up and unwind?
I often spend most of my time at dwelling. I like watching dramas. Once I actually determine to relaxation, I don’t go away my mattress. That’s why I like resting at dwelling.
If you happen to weren’t an actor, what passions would you discover?
I really feel very comfortable as an actor, I did many issues I wished to do prior to now, and I’m very glad with my life now.
Would you fairly eat Kimchi Jjim (Braised Kimchi) or Doenjang-jjigae (Soybean Paste Stew)?
Soybean Paste Stew. I particularly like Soybean Paste Stew with freshwater snails.
Of your awards from 2005 until now, which is your favorite?
All my awards are significant to me, and I admire each single considered one of them. One award [Grime Award] that I acquired in 2014 from digital camera administrators was very particular and significant as a result of this award got here from the workers that I labored with. It additionally meant loads to me after I acquired it together with the Greatest Actor award for Pinocchio.
What’s your favorite espresso order?
Ice Americano. I don’t often add an additional shot.
Which character, that you’ve performed, would you prefer to have lunch with?
That is an attention-grabbing query. I wish to have lunch with Kang Cheol from W (2016). He’s a personality with a variety of tales, and he’s the form of good friend who achieves his targets as soon as he units his thoughts on them. So, I really feel that having lunch and a dialog with him can be actually insightful.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.
This text was initially printed in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.
Supply: Her World