TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Lee Kwang-Soo: At the height of popularity
The South Korean actor and entertainer Lee Kwang-soo goes by many nicknames he obtained in a single variety show with a huge army of fans in Asia
Change Size
T
he South Korean actor and entertainer Lee Kwang-soo goes by many nicknames he obtained in a single variety show with a huge army of fans in Asia.
He was known as the 'framer' or 'betrayer' for changing sides to win an episode, and, lately, 'giraffe' because of his lanky appearance.
In addition to his height of 190 centimeters, the wit and easygoing personality he demonstrated in the Running Man show made him stand out above the other six members.
Although the show was not aired anywhere else, loyal viewers overseas, including Indonesia, have been able to watch each episode every week for the past four years thanks to online streaming.
Whenever the Running Man is filming outside South Korea, or in fan meetings, the largest group in the crowd was always his fans, hence his new label of Prince of Asia.
'I'm embarrassed by that label. I just don't think I deserve it yet. But I'm grateful. I wish I could meet my fans in person often, not only once,' said Lee, whose first visit to Jakarta was made for soccer charity match Asian Dream Cup in June, followed by the filming of a Running Man episode in the Safari Park in Bogor.
Lee sat with The Jakarta Post during his recent visit to the opening of the Korean-Indonesian Film Festival that premiered the critically acclaimed Confession ' or Good Friends in its Korean translation ' in which he plays the lead.
The interview was facilitated by the Korean Cultural Center and Blitzmegaplex.
The character of Min Soo, his first lead movie role, who gave his everything for his friends Hyun Tae (Ji Sung) and In Chul (Ju Ji-hoon), was surprisingly the closest to Lee's personality.
'There are similarities between us. We both love our friends.'
Seeing his goofiness on TV show, most people would take him as a lively kind of friend.
'No. I don't talk much. I have a lot of friends so I let them do the talking. I usually don't initiate a conversation, so with new people it can be an awkward situation,' he said.
Lee is indeed an actor who prioritizes achievement over reputation, no matter how small. Of all his nicknames, the label given by producers and filmmakers as a 'scene stealer' suits him the best because of his hard work and magnetism.
Born on July 14, 1985, in the family of furniture entrepreneur, Lee, who is 30 years old according to the Korean age system, wanted to become an actor from a young age.
He started as a runway model during high school and landed a job in a commercial when he was 22 after joining a theater troupe for a while.
His line in the commercial became a huge hit and that led him to two sitcoms, including the ever-popular High Kick through the Roof. He appeared as a supporting actor in the romantic comedy movies Wonderful Radio and All About My Wife and also starred in the TV drama The Innocent Man.
He stole the show in TV drama It's Okay, That's Love, which gave him the 2014 Korea Drama Awards in Male Excellence category for his acting.
'I take a role in a drama or film if I like the story and the character. I really enjoy filmmaking. I like the process of doing it more than the result.
'Currently I'm still waiting for more offers. I hope it's different from the last one. I want to try something else that is special. Something that is not normal.'
And Lee got what he wanted.
The actor's management agency King Kong Entertainment recently announced that Lee had been confirmed as the lead actor in The Mutant, which will premiere next year.
The movie, which reportedly involves clinical testing on a half-fish man, will be helmed by Kwon Oh-kwang.
It will be a debut feature film for Kwon, who received an award at Cannes last year for his short film Safe.
Even though he is busy dividing his time between TV shows, dramas and movies, Lee always enjoys his time on set.
'I have achieved a lot. But if I stopped developing myself then nobody would expect to see my acting anymore. That's why I'm now focusing on my acting career,' he said.
As he is concentrating on his career, Lee hasn't thought of starting a business like other celebrities as a way to secure their future.
'Maybe I would think of that if I had the money and time,' he said.
Lee acknowledged that there was fierce competition in the South Korean entertainment industry for those who wanted to make it big.
Citing his own experience of having had no job offers for a while, he advised aspiring actors to create their own opportunity.
'Just don't give up hope because someday there will be a chance for you. I believe in that. I believe in hope.'
Now that Lee is in demand, what next for him?
'It's good to have big dreams. Of course as an actor I want a big role. I want more good films. But as life's next goal I take happiness.
'Happiness is the hardest to achieve, let alone to sustain. So for me, it is the 'right now' that matters and I'm satisfied with what I have at each moment.'
