LEE JOON GI’s DREAM with Naver NOW (2020/12/03) - Transcript, English Translation
-
(Opening remarks after Lee Joon Gi’s
song NOW ends – roughly 06:28
~ 07:34)
‘Flower of Evil,’ the drama that
aired this past summer. In the prologue to Episode 1, this is the first line
our protagonist Do Hyun Soo says: “Do you want me to tell you? What kind of
person I am?” And as the drama progresses, it gradually reveals what kind of
life he has lived, doesn’t it? So many people loved it precisely because it
unfolds in such intriguing ways. It got me so curious. It got me curious about
you who gave it so much love. And I missed you. ‘Maybe we will be able to see
each other soon, won’t we?’ That vague feeling of anticipation we have dreamed
of since spring has already taken us to this cold winter. I am here because I
wanted to see you no matter what before the year ends. With my heart filled
with longing, I’d like to start today’s show by saying this: “Do you want me to
tell you? What kind of life I’m living these days.”
(08:00
~
Hi, everyone. This is your actor,
Lee Joon Gi. Hi, guys. Hello~ Can you see me? Okay, camera #1. Camera change.
Camera change. Change. Change. Hello, hello. Wow, I haven’t met you guys on the
radio in such a long time, so it feels so refreshing and exciting, though it does
come with pressure. Yes, really, I am so looking forward to it today. This is
my first time appearing on Naver NOW as well. Of course it’s my first time.
Just looking around here, I was touched to see so many people working hard to
produce a great show, preparing for you guys with all these different kinds of
equipment and the top-of-the-line system. They are so awesome. Right now, my
voice also sounds great. This looks like a very expensive mic. On top of this
very expensive mic… I don’t think you can get a good look at the inside here,
but many camera operators are doing their best to make me look great. Also, in
the control booth, lots of people are working hard right now to make a great
show today.
(09:20
~
From the bottom of my heart, thank
you for inviting me, all staff at Naver NOW. Thank you for having me. Thank
you. Seeing the comments right now. Hm, there are so many comments. Fans from
different countries around the world, and fans from Korea, they are joining in.
Is there anyone who has never tuned in to Naver NOW before? As far as I know,
many artists have been here before me. Don’t be shy, and hurry and come on in.
I hope many many people join in. Dear international fans, it’s been a long
time. It’s been a long time. I hope to see you. The comments are coming in so
quickly right now. So nice to see you guys. Even though it’s 10 o’clock at
night, many of you guys are joining in to talk with me. But I can’t read [all
comments]. Almost can’t, right now. (Laughs) How does my voice sound? Today I
have a bit of a nasal voice. I didn’t say a word the whole day because I wanted
to make my voice sound great to you guys. Anyway, I guess I need a bit of
warm-up first. I gotta warm up my voice as well.
(10:40~
Let me just quickly read some
comments: “I’m a fan of yours, oppa.” Yes, yes, I think I would still be having
trouble [reading all comments] even if I started rapping now, though. “I’ve
been waiting all day,” “I miss you so much,” “You’re so handsome,” “You have a
great voice.” Thank you. I chose to do this content [show] exactly because I am
proud of my own voice. I also chose to do this, thinking that it would be nice
if you hear my sweet [honey] voice at night. Yes, I’m glad to see you guys
respond so well. “You have a crazy good-looking face.” I love comments like
this. Yes, it looks pretty good, right? I don’t look so bad today. I had it [my
face] taken care of before I got here. I take to my personal space [on SNS].
Personally I use Instagram Live. Lots of people do it these days, though. I
don’t do it so often, but I want to receive [interact with] my fans. I go live
on Instagram to meet my fans like this. I am so happy to actually meet you here
like this. It really feels very refreshing. And I can hear my own voice now,
and I’m thinking about how to make you guys happy with better sound quality,
with a better voice. Right now, I also feel really close to you.
(11:56~
I am talking to you from NOW studio.
The reason I visited NOW today. Do you guys want to know? First, as I said
earlier, I wanted to interact more with you guys. Before the year ends… These
days, because of Covid-19, I don’t get much opportunity to meet you in person.
Of course, it’s so hard on you guys as well. So before the year ends, I wanted
to repay the big love you have given me. Even a tiny bit of it. I wanted to
repay you for that. Also, I came here today to connect with more fans. Yes, I’m
seeing comments like, “You are like a piece of sculpture,” “You have a crazy
good-looking face.” Thank you. It’s still great to hear things like that even
when you get older. Dear international fans, yes, nice to meet you. Hi. How are
you guys? [**Greeting in Japanese: It’s
been a long time. Dear Japanese fans.**] [**Greeting in Chinese: Nice to meet you.**] Some fans are from
Thailand. So many people are joining in. There are also fans from Iran, as well
as those from Indonesia. Right now, I’m getting comments like, “You’re so
cute.” Shoes? Yes, I am wearing a pretty pair today. But on this ‘visible’
radio show, you cannot see me down from the table top. Yes, I am wearing blue
sneakers. Yes, thank you. Anyway, we have not been able to see each other in a
while, so we should make good use of this time today, right? I’m going to talk
with you so I can have a great time with you guys, so please look forward to
it. I am going to fill this time with great stories, and heartwarming stories.
(13:45~)
The NOW staff are telling me now
that NOW and I were destined to meet. Yes. I wonder if you guys remember this.
Back in 2016… I don’t remember much of that year right now, either. Was it
2016? My album called ‘Thank You.’ It had a song called “Now” in it. I played
that song earlier as the show opener. It was on December 3 that it was
released. December 3rd. And coincidentally – what’s the date today,
guys? The day I’m hosting this live show on NOW? It’s December 3rd. December
3rd. The release date of ‘Now’—the song that’s filled with our
precious memories and which I played as the opener—coincides exactly with the
day I am meeting you guys today on NOW. Exactly the same. It feels as though I
released this song for today’s occasion, doesn’t it? But this is really pure
coincidence. Because today… At Naver NOW, they have a completely packed
schedule. So it’s hard for them to find a time slot for me no matter how much I
ask. But somehow, I got to have this time slot confirmed on December 3rd
to meet you guys. Wow, this really gives me the chills! Chills.
(15:05~
Okay, then, let me say greetings
again. On December 3, 2016, ‘Now,’ a track on ‘Thank you,’ was released. In
2020, four years from that day, in the fall of 2020, no, wait, it’s winter now.
So on the same day in 2020, me sitting in the NOW studio, me meeting you guys
here, and NOW – we are all like one community bound by destiny. We are a
community with a shared destiny. I am your Lee Joon Gi. Once again, I want to say
nice to meet you. Congratulations to you, NOW, as well. I am also honored to be
with you. Our writers are so amazing they found this information. Even I did
not know about this. This is why being a writer is such a tough job. Writers
have to search for lots of information and know a lot. So I also learned
something today. About a track on my album. The release date of my album. Thank
you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
(16:16~
Today, the college entrance exam…
right, it’s finished. Today was the day of the college entrance exam. Is there
anyone who took the exam today in the comments? You did a great, great job. In
fact, this year, 2020, has been hard on so many people. Even now, it’s causing
inconvenience for so many people, as well as pain; it’s so hard with each
passing day. So I can’t imagine how hard the year of 2020 must have been for
our test takers. I think you guys have had a really hard time, harder than
ever. I sincerely want to say you guys did a great job. Just studying alone is
so hard, getting through each day is so hard, right. On top of that, you have
to take care of your health. It’s definitely not easy to prepare [for the exam]
while following all these [Covid] precautions. You guys are really amazing, I
want to say I’m cheering you on, and that I’m proud of you. I believe that as
much as you did your best today, it will definitely get you a good result. It
will bring you a good result. Your life is not completely determined by the
result of what you did in a single day. I think that, as you get through every
single day like you did today, and as you get these opportunities and these
experiences with each passing year, you will become a better person and a
better, brighter future awaits you. So I hope you guys cheer up and pray you will
get a good result. All the test takers did a great job, but many other people
are also having a hard time. Every one of you in my family [**JG often calls his fans ‘family’**] is
toughing it out and getting through each day this year. For everyone, for all
of you, I hope this time today will be a ‘healing time.’ Why don’t we give a
round of applause to those test takers who did a great job today? Please give
it up in the comments as well. You guys did such a great, great job. I’m
praying for a good result for you. You did a great job, guys. Great job.
(18:37~
Yes, OOO. “I took the exam today.”
OOO, you did a great job. Did you do well? It must have been hard. It was very
different from the previous exam system, wasn’t it? I also learned about it
from the news today. It seems that under the [new] system you guys can’t really
take the exam in a comfortable atmosphere; it seemed very stiff. Despite all
that, you did a great job of staying focused. OOOO, “I got back from the exam.”
OOOO, “I’m a mom to a high school senior! It was so hard.” It must have been
so, so hard on the families of test takers, as well as the test takers, right?
I saw this photo on the Internet, where the family even put up a tent at home.
The family members couldn’t go out. I saw them having a really tough time
taking care of the test taker [in their family] while trying hard to take care
of their health, help the [test taker] stay healthy and stay in the right
condition. To the mothers, the parents, you did such a great, great job. All the
families of [test takers] did a great job. To you guys, and to me, this year
will be an unforgettable one in so many ways. You did a great job. Your
nephew/niece also took the exam? To the nephew/niece, I hope you accomplish
your desired goals. Do I look tired? Nope, I am not. I had enough sleep before
I got here today. Does it show that I slept a lot? I am not tired, though. I
just slept a lot today. Because I wanted to make my voice sound great to you.
(20:22~
Now, I will let you know the special
title of the show. Your comments are so heartwarming, and we are having a great
atmosphere today, so yes, it’s going to be so fun. I haven’t done a radio show
in a long time, so I needed a bit of warm-up, too. I think we are off to a
great start, having fun. I am doing this broadcast with you guys, where we get
to interact in a fun and heartwarming way. Do you see the title ‘DREAM,’ on the
right side of the screen? It says ‘Lee Joon Gi’s DREAM’ in the upper righthand
corner, right? You see it, don’t you? I came up with it with the [NOW]
production staff, trying to give it several meanings. Literally, it means
‘dream.’ It’s a ‘dream,’ dream. Also it’s ‘hope.’ And ‘imagination.’ A place
where everything is possible. As long as I am with you guys, I believe everything
is possible. I can’t help but believe that. And I also start imagining all
those things. That’s why I came up with the concept ‘DREAM’ so it conveys those
meanings. Yes, anyway, it means I am going to talk with you guys about all
sorts of stuff related to ‘dreams. I’m going to make this a fun time for you.
Because I am here today to have a lot of chat with you guys, instead of staying
at home. So I am going to talk fun stuff with you guys. Our dream has come
true. Yes, dreams come true. Yes, anyway, I am going to host today’s show with
the concept of ‘DREAM.’
(21:48~
Today, I am going to keep giving
things away. To repay you for all your support. I’m going to keep giving stuff.
So I hope you guys participate actively. Very actively. At first, how about me
starting with my latest TMI? I was thinking about what to start with… I will
share some latest TMI, too. Also, I am giving out some gifts. I was really
surprised when I got here earlier. Right now, there are so many gifts ready.
Yes, so many. Yes, guys, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you, the NOW
production staff. For preparing so many gifts. I will also do my best to hand
out as many gifts to as many people as possible. In fact, the production staff
and my own staff all worried so much about me. You guys know what I’m like,
right? Hm, when I go live on Instagram or do something on social media, I
become such a “too much talker.” I always end up spending more time than I
should. I don’t know what’s going to happen today. It’s already late at night
and you guys should go to work tomorrow and it must be so hard for you, but I
am spending… I don’t even know how much time I have already spent on this
opening segment. I don’t know if you still remember this, but I remember
hosting a radio show and having a chat with you guys [**back when he was serving in the military**]. At the time, too, I
remember the staff going through so much trouble. Today, I will try and keep it
as brief as possible so it won’t cause any trouble for the staff, all the while
making it fun. When you look at the system they have at Naver NOW, seriously,
as far as I know, lots of A-list artists in Korea have dropped by here. So I
intend to do more than an average job. Well, I am not going to get serious
because I am an actor. But since it’s night time, I am not going to get too
playful either. Today, I have a concept in mind: being a bit serious and witty
at the same time. That’s right.
(23:55 ~
The comments I’m getting today are
really… Just looking at them, I see some are from Jordan. Let me take a quick
look. The sort of comment I get the most is, “You have a great voice.” Also,
“You look cute when you laugh.” Yes, thank you. “Dear actor, you have a sweet
voice.” Actually, my voice can be ASMR to you at night. I hope my voice can
guide you to a really sweet dream. “Don’t laugh”? You don’t want me to laigh?
Aha, if I laugh too much (laughs) Because “If you laugh too much, you get too
cute”? “I love the way you talk.” “I want to bite you.” Yes. Yes… I am really a
happy person. Even at this age, I am a man whom you want to bite. “Your voice
is like honey.” I love this comment. I am getting lots of text messages from
you guys. Some from Singapore; some from Indonesia; and from the Philippines.
So many. “Your voice is killing me.” Yes, today I really feel like having five
burgers stacked on my shoulders [**he
uses the metaphor of pumped-up shoulders to show he’s feeling proud**] I’m
so happy. (Laughs) I hope you guys continue to have a great time. The chat is
going by so fast right now. Really, from my point of view, it almost looks like
this. So if you feel like, “Since the chat goes by so fast, my comment won’t
get read. Today this is an epic fail today. This is really frustrating. He
isn’t reading it,” for you, I am receiving your comments through text messaging
as well. I haven’t done this in a long time. Text #7117. It costs 100 won. I
want to make this for free, but I don’t know why. Text #7117, #7117. The header
is ‘Lee Joon Gi’ plus your nickname, and send in your comment. Think of it as
another way to reach me.
(25:57 ~
All right, then. You are watching
Lee Joon Gi’s DREAM today and I am your host. Let’s continue. Why don’t I start
with what I have been up to lately? You guys were so curious about it, right?
What I have been doing lately. In fact, when it comes to stuff like this, you
need someone moderating this so I can think before I start talking about it.
But today, I have to do everything. So please understand that I might be
rambling a bit, talking all over the place today. For instance, [**JG starts role-playing as host and
interviewee**] “We are live on Naver NOW. Today, we are having actor Lee
Joon Gi with us. Actor Lee Joon Gi, it’s so great to see you today after a
while. Can you tell us what you’ve been up to recently?” Yes. Recently, as you
guys know, it’s been two months since the drama called Flower of Evil, the
drama that aired on tvN called Flower of Evil ended. For the time being, I am
reading scripts and working out. Although for now, since we moved to the higher
level of social distancing because of Covid-19, I cannot use indoor gyms. So I
am doing at-home workouts and walking leisurely at the Han river while wearing
a mask. And including things like this, I am doing research and trying to come
up with various ways to spend time with you. What kind of things I can show you
guys right now. What kind of opportunities there are. I’m sorting out things
like that. Also, I am constantly reading the scripts coming in right now. [I
have read so many that] I really feel like I can even write book reports later
on. Because I want to present a great project to you as soon as possible.
Part 2.
(27:44
~
Today, we have something marvelous
here. Naver NOW has something like this: Naver Clova AI? AI? [**JG makes robotic sounds**] Hi. I am
Clova AI N.O.W. Is it something like this? They tell me it’s going to help me
out with the hosting. The state-of-the-art system. Wow, Naver NOW. Is the AI
going to come out walking like this? [**JG
makes robotic moves**] No, is it not? You guys have all sorts of things. I
am very curious what it’s going to be like, so shall we bring it out? AI,
please come out. {AI NOUNCER: Hello. This is Naver
NOW’s Announcer (anchor), Nouncer. Mr Lee Joon Gi, nice to meet you.}
{JOONGI} Are you called Nouncer? Okay. Nouncer. Your last name is Nou, first
name is Uncer. Ms Nouncer. Ms Nouncer, nice to meet you. So when should I speak
to you like this? {NOUNCER: I will come back out when
you need me, so keep on hosting.} {JOONGI} What, you didn’t even say
greetings. So you are just coming out like this when I need you? It’s not like
I have to call you to bring you out or anything? What kind of announcer is she,
then? What kind of announcer are you? Yes, she appeared when the ding-dong
sound rang. They say it’s entirely up to the AI when and where she comes out.
Well, since I am a “too much talker,” the script says, when I talk too much,
she will come out saying “Please stop.” But I will ignore it. (Laughs) Bring it
on. You think you can beat me? Yes, anyway, our reliable Nouncer who has a
beautiful voice will be joining in on Lee Joon Gi DREAM. Now, on to the first
segment: TMI Info.
(29:35
~ “tmi DREAM”)
I was told that you guys sent in so
many questions for me. I am so curious what kind of questions you guys sent in.
I am going to read them, one by one. The questions my fans sent in before the
show. Oh oops. “AAA Awards. Congratulations on winning two awards. You even
gave a speech in English for international fans, it’s so perfect. Is there
anything you just cannot do? Dear Mr Perfect. Is there anything you wanted to
say but couldn’t on that day? Of all your 2021 plans, can you share at least
one of them?” Yes, thank you. The AAA awards were such a huge honor that I
received thanks to the love you gave me. I couldn’t even imagine it. You kind
of know you’re going to receive an award when you get invited, but I didn’t
know I would win two awards. You don’t know how big this award is going to be.
Although they tell us something like, “You are probably going to win an award,
so please come.” I received such huge, huge awards. As for the speech in
English, well, I always think about what I want to say to you guys. That day,
Best… Asia Celebrity Award? Yes, since that’s the award I won, since many
international fans showed their support for me, I prepared a message that I
could send out to them. There are lots of things I cannot do. Yes, but it’s
just that I keep looking for ways, even slightly better ways to express my
feelings to you guys. “Of your 2021 goals, can you share at least one of them?”
In fact, this [Naver NOW show] today is one of those opened up. Yes, like the
gift wrap got ripped open. As for Naver NOW, the staff and I had been talking
about this since about 3 months ago. We’d already been talking about it. I told
them, I personally want to meet you guys on the radio like this. But it kept
getting pushed back, and then we found the right time. Originally, I thought of
meeting you in November, but there was this awards ceremony and several other
things I had to prepare, so we set the date like this, and I’ve been waiting
since, looking forward to it. You guys were surprised, weren’t you? Yes, you’re
in for a surprise, surprise. Radio, all of a sudden~! Yes. That’s exactly the
kind of reaction I wanted from you.
(32:00
~
From Baby Flower Joongi [fan
nickname]. “I heard about your diet during your Instagram Live. You said you
don’t eat flours, try to avoid eating rice, as well. Hearing this got me
reflecting on myself because I get food delivered all the time. Then what do
you usually eat most often? What did you eat today?” Wait, sorry. The previous
question was from “Joongi-nim’s fan since 2005.” Oh, I apologize. I forgot to
say your nickname. Sorry. Right now, this is from “Baby Flower Joongi.” Well, I
didn’t think that this would get talked about so much, though. It seems this
surprised so many people. But lots of people do the ‘low-carb, high-fat diet’
these days. For me, of course, I cut off flours because of my work. At first,
for the first year, I got extremely annoyed, struggled, felt depressed, so
angry, and yes, so enervated, too. But as the years went by, one year, and two
years, I stuck to my diet because I didn’t want to let the hard work I’d done
go to waste. I also stuck to it because I felt lighter. But for me, this is
something related to what I do for a living. That’s why I wouldn’t recommend it
to you guys. I hope you stay healthy and eat many delicious foods. But don’t
eat too much, enjoy eating. You guys enjoying delicious foods – that’s what is
good. So don’t be too critical of yourselves. Just don’t eat too much, too
often, though. I hope you don’t eat too much too often. Today, I ate duck.
Basically, you should definitely eat vegetables. Veggies, duck, and soup.
That’s what I ate. Normally, I ate one meal a day, or two meals. That’s right.
I try my best to eat two meals, but these days I sleep a lot, late into the
morning. Anyway, I try to eat without harming my health, so I hope you guys
also take good care of your health. Also, the most important thing to
strengthen your immune system is what you eat. So it’s important to eat
nutritious meals. Especially in times like this, I hope you eat lots of foods
to keep yourself healthy. Balanced meal.
(34:15
~
Now, on to the short text messages
that came in but are redundant. Those I just read earlier were the longer ones.
I was told the AI Nouncer is giving me more questions, right? Nouncer, what
questions do you have? {NOUNCER: Min-Cho. Mint
chocolate. Love VS Hate?} Is it Yes or No? Min-Cho. Love. Yes. {NOUNCER:
When eating tangsuyuk [*Korean sweet/sour pork/beef*],
do you pour the source or dip in the sauce?} Dip in the sauce. {NOUNCER:
The latest photo in your phone Photo Gallery is my
selfie VS no} It’s my selfie. (Laughs) {NOUCER: Which
one do you miss right now? Joon VS Kabi?} Oh, this is tough. Recently,
Kabi has started acting really cute. So I miss Kabi. {NOUNCER: As the rep for INFP, which word do you prefer? Thoughtful VS
Creative} It’s ‘Creative’ for me. Well, I didn’t even know I’d get ‘INFP.’
This is a little, this is weird. They should make another one. This is all…
{NOUNCER: What drama did you enjoy the most this year?
Please answer, except Flower of Evil.} This year. This year? Ah, really.
Really, honestly, the one I binge-watched was “The World of the Married.”
(Laughs) I binge-watched The World of the Married. I mean, married couple, we
[him and Moon Chae Won] had to play a married couple, too. How… I watched it to
see what it was like to be one, but I ended up enjoying it a lot, honestly. I
enjoyed it. And then, I also enjoyed watching “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” as
well. Yes, there’s a lot. I watch dramas often. Yes. Ah, I’m supposed to
elaborate on these, too. Hmm, as for Min-Cho [mint chocolate], I would always
get this fresh ice cream at that Thirty One [**JG seems to refer to Baskin-Robbins 31**] But I don’t understand
why mint chocolate is not popular. Why is that? Is it because of the color? I
love that feeling, though. You get to chew crunchy bits of chocolate in it.
Crunchy? Mm. Also, there’s a bit of that fresh feeling. That’s why I loved it,
but these days, this seems extremely shocking to some people.
(36:35
~
As for tangsuyuk, I don’t hang out
with people who pour the sauce on it. It’s just impolite. They have no manners.
So I really hate pouring the sauce. What’s the point of deep-frying it, then?
There is a reason you deep-fry tangsuyuk. You can enjoy the crunchiness of it
too. Yes, also, I dip it in the sauce to savor just the right amount of
sweetness I want. Ah, as for the selfies, as my fans know (Laughs) Yes, I love
taking selfies. It seems, how shall I put it, you guys seem to have a lot of
problems with my selfies. You keep saying I am so bad at taking selfies,
calling me sel-something [**JG seems to
refer to Korean slang “selgo” meaning someone who really suck at selfies**]
But I think I am pretty good at it. Why do you think that? What am I supposed
to do to take good selfies, then? I have no idea. I post things where I look
handsome when I look at them. (Laughs) Weird. I take them from this eoljjang
[**meaning ‘best face’**] angle. Like this, click. The ones I post – I take,
like, thirty photos and choose one from them. Please show some love. Selfies.
Why do you say I am bad at taking selfies? Yes, please enlighten me. Yes, right
now, it’s Kabi that I miss right now. Recently, Kabi has become very, yes, very
lovely. These days, she keeps climbing on me, keeping me from sleeping. She
keeps bothering me. It’s like she’s suddenly starved for affection. She’s like
5 years old now. It’s about time she just ignored people. Strangely, though,
she started bothering me so much nowadays. But I love it because the way she
acts is very very cute. Yes, as for the dramas, I told you, right? The drama I
started watching for inspiration, but got hooked on – The World of the Married.
Yes, I enjoyed it a lot. There were so many great dramas this year. I enjoyed
all of them. That particular one came to mind because – The World of the
Married was the one I binge-watched, so it just came to mind. Personally, the
drama I frequently watch is “Be Melodramatic.” I watch it often. I re-watch
that one pretty often. Because it has funny lines in it.
(38:37
~
I’m getting a great deal of
questions about Flower of Evil. Actually, just others… I mean, not just others’
dramas, but the results of the valuable efforts of other people. I, too, watch
a lot of those dramas myself, but ultimately, it’s my own dramas that I watch a
lot. Someone said, “World of the Married? Shocking,” but I just watched it because
it’s enjoyable. I was not trying to liken anything there [World of the Married]
to Flower of Evil or anything. I just watched it, having fun. So we are now
getting questions about Flower of Evil. Some say, “Please stop talking about
other dramas.” Let’s move on to Flower of Evil. Let us get down to it and talk
about Flower of Evil.
(39:20~
Flower of Evil. A question I get
asked a lot each time my drama ends is: “Can you get out of character?” In
fact, all my previous dramas and characters I did were not easy, either. They
were all tough characters to play – mentally demanding characters. But when it
came to Flower of Evil, so many people were so engrossed in it this year. It’s
the drama they all cried and laughed and enjoyed together. The people around me
kept asking me. “How can you get out of that character?” “Are you doing okay?”
“Aren’t you feeling depressed?” “Isn’t it hard to get out of your role
especially with the Covid blues on top of all that?” Those questions are the
ones I get asked the most. Yes, well, I am… Okay. But strangely, this time,
more so than ever, I think it’s especially harder than when I did any other
project. Actually, I felt fine for a week or two after it ended, but I started
having a bit more lingering feelings one month after, and to this day. Yes,
it’s strange. And I started thinking more about having a family as well. I
guess that’s because I played a character being married and having a family. I
guess because I poured a lot of [what I’ve got] into this project in many ways.
We have questions from our viewers, our listeners.
(40:43
~
Oh, I love this. “What did you work
particularly hard on to portray emotionless Do Hyun Soo?” First of all, well,
my general mindset was, “Do not calculate [overthink].” For this project. Actually,
when I start on a project, I tend to do a bit of study on the narratives,
character relationships, and further stories that will come later on in the
drama, and figure things out in advance. But for this project, I tried my best
not to do any of those, but decided to let go of everything and focus on the
situations I was given at every moment. Of course, I did think about the
narratives surrounding this character Do Hyun Soo and discussed a lot with the
director, but I still tried to focus the most on [my work] on set. So as I told
you many times, I barely did any monitoring [of my own performance]. I just
tried to focus solely on that given situation, do every single thing with the
people I worked with, and focus on my work on the set. Sure, the best kind of
acting is actually living the life of that person you portray, but wouldn’t it
be hard living like that? I always read the script before the shoot and was
particularly more immersed in [my role] this time, trying to focus on the given
situation. Because the director led us through all that and made me feel
comfortable, I did not have to monitor my work but instead did a lot more on
set. Also, the actors who played their respective characters – they also gave
me lots of help. All in all, I think focusing on my work on set was the best
way to go.
(42:14
~
“On behalf of emotionless Do Hyun
Soo, what scene made Lee Joon Gi the actor tear up the most while watching the
drama?” For me, it’s different each time. Recently, I’ve been watching it
again… What? {NOUNCER: To talk about Flower of Evil,
you can consult the Naver TV cast. Please use the iPad in front of you.}
Mm, thank you. Thank you, Nouncer. Yes, it’s different each time I watch it.
So, well, what’s there… At first, I felt sad watching the scene on the bridge
where I had my first emotional outburst in front of Cha Ji Won. And then, in
the workshop scene, in the last episode. [**JG
looking at the screen**] This was from the trailer. Ah, here, Jiwon, I
mean, Chaewon. Chaewon’s acting was so great. Yes, this scene was really sad.
Cha Ji Won is… You guys all know what my performance was like here. But what
Moon Chae Won did – later on, after I [Hyunsoo] have lost my memory, she
remembers those traces that vanished and that space. As it showed briefly earlier.
[**JG seems to refer to the scenes in Ep
16, including one where Jiwon holds the shirt Hyunsoo wore against her nose**]
The scent, the smell of her man. The memories that come with it. And those
deeply affecting, wistfully affectionate, and desperate feelings that come with
it. The scene where she [Moon Chae Won] acts out these things. Following those
emotions in the last episode really choked me up. When I was watching it again
recently while drinking. (Laughs) So yeah, I cried a lot. Watching the last
episode I teared up a lot. Also, when those things led to the workshop scene
later on. “Many people call it ‘the drama of my life.’” Wow, oh, one of the
camera operators here watched every single episode of it? Who is it? Hahaha.
Thank you. No wonder you looked so remarkably adept handling that camera. I
mean, there is some kind of artistic sensitivity to it. Thank you. Wow, so
pleased to meet you. Strangely, Flower of Evil makes me feel extra happy.
(44:44
~
“Do you remember your first meeting,
your first shoot with your co-stars?” Yes, well. The first meeting with another
actor, of course, I remember meeting with our Moon Chae Won. But it was my
second time working with Chaewon on a project. Instead of awkwardness, it was
more of curiosity about how we should portray these characters. I remember
shooting the past scene in the workshop first. It was actually the first shoot
for me, but the one that’s most memorable is the kiss scene [in the workshop].
We shot the kiss scene very early on. It was the first scene, in the opening to
Episode 1. So of course, we were nervous. Like, what should we do to make it
look great? We are a married couple here, but both of us are too young and
pretty. So I thought, we shouldn’t kiss looking too much like we were dating. But
then, we probably shouldn’t kiss looking too much like a married couple.
Anyway, I remember having those thoughts. I kept asking the directors and staff
on the set. Then, one staff member… I asked him, “How do married couples kiss?”
He said, “Why would a married couple ever kiss?” (Laughs) I was like, what’s
that? Some married couples do love each other. You’re supposed to help me. [He
said] “I just can’t for the life of me understand this scene.” Love each other,
guys. Why would you not? Why wouldn’t you kiss? Yeah, anyway. To me that scene
is memorable. That we did together.
(46:26
~
When it comes to kiss scenes, you
guys ask me, “What kind of feelings do you get?” Of course, an actor is
supposed to express these basic emotions, so I’m supposed to focus on that. But
in reality, we get really nervous. Because we have to find the best angles. And
we have to figure everything out like how this will appear to viewers. So this
is the moment when actors put in a lot of thought and get nervous. So do the
staff. Especially the cinematographer works the hardest. To find the best
angles. He works hard. Always. (Laughs) “Of the other characters in Flower of
Evil, I want to play this character. What character?” Yes, for me, it’s Cha Ji
Won. I’d like the role [Kim Moo Jin] played by Seo Hyun Woo, as well. But I
often played characters that have professions like the one Cha Ji Won has. So
on set, I’d always say “This time, it’s the other way around.” I find [her
character] very attractive, and she did a brilliant job of leading this
heartbreaking narrative. Personally, I wondered, what if I played that role?
How hard and painful it must be? You know, those struggles to protect those
things [she has] when she faces the truth? That desperation. She [Chaewon] did
such a brilliant job of expressing those things. I think a lot about ‘What if I
had to [deal with] those things?’ I often put myself in others’ shoes. So yes.
Just talking about this suddenly reminds me of that. [**Server crashed at this point, 48:03***]
[**In specifying the time from here on out, I will pretend the server
crash didn’t happen**]
(48:03~
after the server is back up)
Yes, I’m back, guys. You guys were
surprised, weren’t you? Welcome back, guys. I was told the server crashed. WOW!
I know it was such an inconvenience to you, but I felt so happy about it. Like,
I am not an idol, but the server crashed. Earlier, someone said in the
comments, “The power of Lee Joon Gi.” Yes, it’s good to see me back, isn’t it?
Once again. Guys, so nice to see you back. Flower of Evil. I apologize, guys.
The server crashed because there was too much traffic. So yeah, it shut down
temporarily. “The broadcast shut down. Start over,” “Where’s the honey voice
gone?” Even Naver NOW told me that this was the first time the broadcast
stopped in the middle. Do you think they told me the truth? It’s true, right?
Okay, then, thank you. (Laughs) I think the server crashed because I had just
said I was going to call one of my co-stars and we got more attention. So
that’s why the server crashed. Guys, come on in again. From the bottom of my
heart, I am grateful for your interest and love. Right now, you are watching
Lee Joon Gi’s DREAM, presented by Lee Joon Gi and NOW. The comments say, “My
heart almost stopped.” My heart almost stopped. You have no idea what I went
through to join in~ Why are you frozen like a robot? “The incredible power of
Joon Gi.” Thank you. OOOO. “Naver, start working!” I can say this out loud,
right? Is it not back up yet? “Please restore it.” Now it’s been restored,
right? Yes, I think it’s back up. Is there anyone who just joined in now?
Besides those who were already here? To those who just joined in, we have just
started Part 2. Part 1 was sponsored by Lee Joon Gi, advertised by Lee Joon Gi.
Lee Joon Gi and NOW present, Lee Joon Gi’s DREAM: Now, Part 2 has begun.
Nothing happened. If you still don’t see or hear it, you can turn off the Naver
app again and turn it back on. Try turning it off and then back on. When you
turn it off and turn it back on, Part 2 has begun. Anyway, I will make up for
the time we lost during the crash and do it longer, so please don’t feel too
bad. Today, I practically own this place. Anyway, for me, I am feeling… I am
very sorry that this has caused you such an inconvenience, but I was like, “Am
I really that kind of actor who can cause a server crash? Am I that kind of
person? I’m getting a little arrogant. I will stay humble till the end. Anyway,
you know, I told you in Part 1, see you back in 60 seconds, right? I am going
to call someone precious in Part 2.
(51:57
~
Should I make a phone call now? Do
we have many people in here? Who’s it going to be? Who’s it that will take the
call at this hour? Right now, it’s 10:56 pm. It’s nearing 10:57. I’m sorry to
make a call at night, but I’m going to make one anyway. Are you excited? I am
excited as well. Isn’t the ringtone great?
{CHAEWON} Hello? {JOONGI} Hello? {CHAEWON} Speaking. {JOONGI} Aren’t you asleep yet? {CHAEWON} No. {JOONGI} Why are you still awake at this
hour? {CHAEWON} Wait, I can say I’m aware that I am on
the air, right? {JOONGI} Have you been watching this? {CHAEWON} No, I wasn’t watching it deliberately. {JOONGI}
Oh, is that so? {CHAEWON} Yes. {JOONGI} Why, you
should have! {CHAEWON} Because never in my life have I
received a phone call on the radio. {JOONGI} Wow, really? {CHAEWON} I have never done this before. {JOONGI} Why,
don’t the people around you care enough about you to do that? {CHAEWON} I mean, I have been on the radio before, but I have
never had anyone calling me during a show. Seriously, I was literally sitting
on my sofa waiting for your call. {JOONGI} Were you sitting on the sofa?
{CHAEWON} This is so weird. Are there actually people
listening to this? {JOONGI} They are REALLY listening to you right now. {CHAEWON} Oh my gosh, what am I supposed to do? But my voice
doesn’t sound polished. It’s just my raw voice coming out. {JOONGI}
Right now, your voice is sounding so REAL. {CHAEWON} Oh
my god. {JOONGI} You.. {CHAEWON} I’m so screwed.
I should have said I wouldn’t do this. {JOONGI} Why? You know, I was so
excited just thinking about calling you. {CHAEWON} But
it’s so weird. The fact that people can actually listen to this doesn’t feel
real to me right now. {JOONGI} It’s the year of 2020 now. {CHAEWON} Because I feel like I’m just on the phone with you.
{JOONGI} Do you? Just act like you always have when you’re on the phone with me.
{CHAEWON} It’s just the same. {JOONGI} Exactly,
that’s how it feels. {CHAEWON} Isn’t it just the same? {JOONGI}
Yup, you’re exactly the same – Chaewon who always sounds cheerful and a bit
more high-pitched on the phone. {CHAEWON} That’s right.
(54:34
~
{JOONGI} That’s right. I kept a
secret that I was going to call you, although I think everyone already guessed
who. {CHAEWON} Yup. {JOONGI} I guess because
people were wondering who I was going to call, we had a server crash in Part 1.
People have such high expectations. It means there are so many people who love
our Flower of Evil. {CHAEWON} Thank you. {JOONGI}
So… First of all, let us go back to the polite way of talking. Since we are
officially on the air. {CHAEWON} Okay~ {JOONGI}
So, I am on the phone with Moon Chae Won. I am talking to her on my own phone.
Don’t worry too much. Please say hello to our viewers, our listeners. {CHAEWON} Should I say hello to NOW listeners? {JOONGI}
Yup, Naver NOW, to be exact. {CHAEWON} I see, Naver
NOW. Hi, Naver NOW listeners, nice to meet you. {JOONGI} Can you make it
longer? Please make it longer. {CHAEWON} Okay. I am… {JOONGI}
Instead of saying I live in blah blah… {CHAEWON}
Okay. I am Moon Chae Won. {JOONGI} We know you are Moon Chae Won. {CHAEWON} Okay. {JOONGI} We all know about ‘Hi, I am
actor Moon Chae Won.’ {CHAEWON} I see. Then how am I
supposed to say hello? {JOONGI} For instance, ‘How have you guys been
doing? I am so very happy to meet you guys through Naver NOW. I hope you guys
show your support for Joongi oppa so he can do a great job, and I will have a
great time as well.’ Something like that. {CHAEWON} I
see~ Okay. But you already have done it all for me. {JOON, CHAE} (Laughs)
{CHAEWON} Dear Naver NOW listeners. I should have
started listening earlier! {JOONGI} It’s fine. You’re supposed to feel
comfortable. {CHAEWON} I just cannot get the
temperature (tone) of this right. {JOONGI} The temperature is going up
and down. It goes back and forth between hot and cold, or lukewarm. {CHAEWON} Okay, guys. This is so REAL and since my voice is
coming out the way it really is, I wonder if people find it fun.
{JOONGI} It’s so funny to me. I think all our listeners are loving it so much.
Because this is so funny. When people think of you, Moon Chae Won, they assume
you are always calm. {CHAEWON} Yes. {JOONGI} But
I know that you are actually a very adorable and cheerful person. {CHAEWON} (Laughs) {JOONGI} I’m so looking forward to
this. See? You can laugh like that.
(57:16
~
{JOONGI} I am just going to share
some feedback from fans, you can listen to it and follow it up [with your own
response]. {CHAEWON} Okay. {JOONGI} So we have
something like, “Do-Cha couple, long time no see. I love you so much, Moon Chae
Won. So nice to see you again. Moon Chae Won, you are just so fun as you are,
so you don’t have to do anything. Just talk a lot please.” Okay okay? {CHAEWON} Yes yes yes. {JOONGI} So let’s make it
brief. Let’s do the greetings over. {JOON, CHAE} (Laughs) {JOONGI} Let’s focus
on the keyword ‘Flower of Evil.’ In Flower of Evil… Please say something as if
you’re promoting our drama. {CHAEWON} Our drama… As I
remember it, we finished the filming on September 19. I am very happy and very
grateful that those who watched the drama joined the radio show today and say
they’re still missing the drama. Thanks to the drama, and thanks to you, I get
to be on the radio through Naver NOW. It’s going to be a very unforgettable
night. {JOONGI} Wow. {CHAEWON} I really tried my
best. {JOONGI} Like you were forced to! {CHAEWON}
No, I didn’t feel forced… {JOONGI} … You weren’t, though, right? {CHAEWON} I just wanted to avoid making any mistakes, and at
the same time, I wanted to express how I’m feeling. I was trying to come up
with some fancy words to express it. {JOONGI} You shouldn’t try so hard
to look cool, though. For an occasion like this, you’d better look natural. {CHAEWON} Ah, really? {JOONGI} Natural. I am not doing
that [looking cool] either. Today, I’m not doing anything like, ‘I am an
actor.’ {CHAEWON} Hm, ah, guys, I am now… {JOONGI}
You already showed people how you are as an actor in the drama. That was just
enough. {CHAEWON} Right now, I am literally lying down.
{JOONGI} Right. (laughs) {CHAEWON} You mean
something like this? {JOONGI} Something like that. You sound very
relaxed, and in a very, um, comfortable and stable position. {CHAEWON} Yup. I’m lying down right now. {JOONGI} We
got comments like “Detective Cha, don’t be too nervous.” {CHAEWON} “Nervous.” {JOONGI} We’re also getting
comments like, “Chat sounds SO REAL,” “Chaewon, you did such hard work.” {CHAEWON} Wow, thank you. {JOONGI} Reading the
comments right now, I see so many people are missing the Flower of Evil couple.
“Flower of Evil was so great. You guys are now the real-life version of Do-Cha
Couple. Chaewon, your voice sounds so sweet.” You sound sweet, right? {CHAEWON} Nope. {JOONGI} No? {CHAEWON}
Nope.
(59:59
~
{JOONGI} It has not been so long since
Flower of Evil ended. Like two months… But it’s already been two months, right?
{CHAEWON} Yup, two months. {JOONGI} Some people
still feel very sad about it, I can feel so much love from so many. They say
“Your acting was so great.” {CHAEWON} Yes. {JOONGI} It was a very tough time for
you. {CHAEWON} This time, yes. {JOONGI} Working
with me for a second time on a project that is this heavy… {CHAEWON} Yes. {JOONGI} How was it? I guess you must
have felt something different. I watched Chaewon always so immersing herself in
[her character] and struggling to maintain the emotion she had [at the moment].
So I wonder; I think viewers wonder what it was like. {CHAEWON}
Right. I thought it was very meaningful and in a good way we were meant to work
together for a second time. But I had never played a married person. I mean,
I’ve done one or two projects where I ended up getting married or something,
but I had never done a drama where I start out as a married person and have a
child. {JOONGI} Right. {CHAEWON} Still, there is
some significant feeling that comes with such a conceit. So, to me, it was a
very enjoyable experience to do that kind of thing with Joongi. Actually, after
I finished it, after those few months of working hard without a break, I felt
rather sorry about not having been able to create even better memories by
interacting more and having more fun with you – even though the drama itself
had so many tough emotions to handle. And so many people loved it, too. {JOONGI}
That’s right. I mean, very early in the drama, you learned that my husband was,
in fact, Do Hyun Soo. From that moment on, Chaewon led the way in expressing
those very tough emotions. So I was actually very worried that Chaewon might
collapse or something. But she toughed it out so well. She toughed it out and
handled it so well. I think that made viewers very happy. You did such hard
work. {CHAEWON} You did such hard work, as well,
together, seriously.
(62:32
~
{JOONGI} In particular, as for
Flower of Evil, Chaewon you recommended it to me, saying it’s a great project..
{CHAEWON} Right, right. {JOONGI} And you gave me
enough strength for me to make my decision to do it. So personally, I am very
grateful to you. {CHAEWON} Heh! {JOONGI} Heh?
Okay, then. The second project you did with me. You loved it. Then are you
willing to work with actor Lee Joon Gi for a third time? {CHAEWON} Sure, I’d love it. {JOONGI} In which genre would you
like for us to reunite? {CHAEWON} Genre? With you, I
worked on this police procedural called Criminal Minds. This [Flower of Evil]
was a melodrama. {JOONGI} Then you already have the answer. {CHAEWON} And next… what answer do we have? {JOONGI} Like
something historical… Or. {CHAEWON} Historical drama
next? {JOONGI} Exactly, historical drama sounds great, doesn’t it? We
already talked about this before. Like, “How about a historical drama?” “How
about reuniting on a historical drama?” {CHAEWON} A
romantic comedy, too. {JOONGI} I’d love a romantic comedy, as well. {CHAEWON} Yes, but historical drama? Right, there are so many
fans who love your historical dramas so much. {JOONGI} Same goes for
you, though. {CHAEWON} For me, too, fans remember and
love me a lot when I do historical dramas. So if we were to reunite on one…
{JOONGI} How about a historical drama plus romantic comedy? {CHAEWON} Sounds like a really great genre. {JOONGI}
But we can also do something more lighthearted. Of course, Chaewon you have
played more easygoing and adorable characters before, right? {CHAEWON} Yes. {JOONGI} So if we get to work together
again [on a more lighthearted project] I guess we can create synergy. Surely,
we love playing more serious roles where we continuously explore deep emotions.
But we love lighthearted roles, too, don’t we? {CHAEWON}
Yes, exactly. {JOONGI} Right now, the comments are chanting in unison:
“Historical drama, historical drama, we are so looking forward to the two of
you being in a historical drama.” {CHAEWON} Really, I
think I would love it if we get to reunite on a project like that.
{JOONGI} Then how about making a public pledge? If a great historical drama
comes along, {CHAEWON} Hmm. {JOONGI} Do-Cha will
reunite in a historical drama. {CHAEWON} Oh, yes.
{JOONGI} ‘If a great historical drama comes along, I am willing to work with
Lee Joon Gi again. I am willing to do it.’ {CHAEWON}
Yes, I am. {JOONGI} Hooray. You said it. On the record. It’s done. Guys,
please record this. It’s on the record.
(65:17
~
{JOONGI} Now, we’ve got many fans
joining us because of Flower of Evil. There are some people who have just become
fans of Flower of Evil. {CHAEWON} I see. {JOONGI}
So for those viewers, is there any scene you would recommend? Or even for those
who already watched it. There are a number of different scenes. Earlier, I
picked one scene, as well. Like any scene that made you tear up or you love? Is
there any scene you would personally recommend? {CHAEWON}
Mmm… For me, the scene where we are under the cherry blossom trees. {JOONGI}
Ah~ {CHAEWON} Yes, I’d recommend that scene, and also
the scene where we are under the eaves trying to stay out of the rain. Like the
‘good old days.’ Personally, instead of the sad scenes where we have these
emotions running so deep, I would recommend the scenes that are more
heart-touching and happier. {JOONGI} Right, when those scenes later lead
to sad emotions and overlap with [sad present-day scenes] until we reach the devastating
moment, those very ‘good old days’ feel rather more heart-touching. {CHAEWON} Right. {JOONGI} I cry a lot watching those
scenes overlap like that. {CHAEWON} That’s right. {JOONGI}
Why do they have to go through such an ordeal? {CHAEWON}
But – exactly because they had those times [good old days], they can endure it.
{JOONGI} Exactly. We talked about how we wished we could’ve filmed more past
date scenes. {CHAEWON} Yes.
(66:59
~
{JOONGI} Right. I have your phone
number as ‘Actor Moon Chae Won – Cha Ji Won.’ {CHAEWON}
Yes. {JOONGI} This is just a personal question, but what did you save my
number as? {CHAEWON} ‘Actor Moon Chae Won – Cha Ji Won’?
{JOONGI} Yup. {CHAEWON} That’s very… {JOONGI}
Next time we reunite, it will be your next character. {CHAEWON}
Isn’t that very businesslike? {JOON, CHAE} (Laughs) {CHAEWON} I mean… {JOONGI} Then what about you? What
did you save mine as? {CHAEWON} Um… {JOONGI}
See? You’re embarrassed. See? {CHAEWON} No, no, no, no.
You want me to take a screenshot and send it to you? {JOONGI} You’re
going to send me a screenshot of it? Sure. Okay. Be honest. {CHAEWON} I have yours as ‘Lee Joon Gi Oppa.’ {JOONGI}
‘Lee Joon Gi Oppa’? {CHAEWON} Yes. It says not ‘Actor
Lee Joon Gi,’ but ‘Lee Joon Gi Oppa.’ {JOONGI} Okay. Then I will put
yours as ‘Sister Moon Chae Won.’ {CHAEWON} Wait, there
is one more letter after that: Lee Joon Gi dot [“.”] {JOONGI} Dot? {CHAEWON} Yes, as in ‘period.’… {JOONGI} How come you
didn’t put a star or a heart, why ‘dot’? You’re too extreme. {CHAEWON} I still think it’s better than ‘Actor Moon Chae
Won’ {JOONGI} Why? There’s Cha Ji Won after… Okay, I’m going to put a
heart after it then. {CHAEWON} Yes, so that’s how I
saved yours. {JOONGI} Lastly, today… Honestly, though, I want to keep
talking to Chaewon, but Chaewon now sounds sleepy. You should go to bed now. {CHAEWON} That’s right. {JOONGI} Lastly, our show’s
title is ‘Lee Joon Gi DREAM.’ Please say something to our listeners before you
go. I think we should wrap this up, right? {CHAEWON}
Ah. Does it mean Lee Joon Gi’s dream, then? {JOONGI} Right. It’s DREAM
and a dream. {CHAEWON} Dear listeners, today you could
not see me, I am not on the ‘visible’ radio, but it’ll be great if I can watch
this broadcast later. Anyway, I was very happy to see you guys. I got to
connect with Joongi oppa’s fans and those fans who loved the drama, so I had so
much fun these 20 minutes. {JOONGI} I see. Did you have fun? {CHAEWON} Everyone, have sweet dreams. {JOONGI} Can
you make it sound sweeter? {CHAEWON} I cannot do that
myself. You are going to do it when you wrap this up. {JOONGI} Like,
‘Nighty night, guys,” like ASMR. {CHAEWON} Oppa, I
really cannot do it, it gives me goosebumps. {JOONGI} You are so
down-to-earth, anyway. Okay, then. Thank you very much for joining us today.
It’s so late at night, but thank you so, so much for helping me out and taking
the time to join us today. I will treat you to something delicious. {CHAEWON} Hehehe. Okay. {JOONGI} Chaewon, have sweet
dreams. {CHAEWON} Okay. {JOONGI} Good night and
keep in touch. {CHAEWON} Okay I will. Everyone, goodbye.
{JOONGI} Okay, bye. Thank you.
(70:08 ~
So we talked for 17 minutes 34
seconds. Who’s going to pay the phone bill? Normally, the production staff make
phone calls like this. But by doing this myself, I can make this look more
real. That’s why I called her using my phone. When I read comments earlier,
some said, “You have a Taegukgi (Korea’s national flag) [on your phone].’ It’s
from my fans. It’s a sticker my fans gifted me. Saying that I should always
carry this like a cultural ambassador. This is also from my fans. That was my
TMI. Okay, I will always work hard with the mindset of a cultural ambassador.
Moon Chae Won, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I think many of you
enjoyed it. It was very real, wasn’t it? That’s how we usually talk on the
phone. We tease each other as well. Chaewon laughs, looking so down to earth.
When you watch her in the behind-the-scenes or in broadcasts, you might think
Chaewon is very introverted, but she is, in fact, very enthusiastic, very
forward-looking, and very considerate of others. So when we are on the phone,
we sometimes end up talking for over 40 minutes. We sometimes talk for such a
long time because she is very attentive and such a great listener. Please show
your support and love for Moon Chae Won, as well. From the bottom of my heart,
thank you, Moon Chae won, for joining us. Now that we talked about Flower of
Evil and talked with Moon Chae won, let me gift you a song. Masterpieces
usually come with great songs. That’s why I have a Flower of Evil OST ready for
you. Let’s hear Shin Yong Jae’s “Feel You” from Flower of Evil.
(72:08
~
Song: “FEEL YOU” by Shin Yong Jae (노래 = 08:08 ~
11:35, 3m27s
*
(75:36
~
Ah. It’s a great song. They say
masterpieces come with great songs. We are back. You’ve been listening to Shin
Yong Jae’s “Feel You.” I kept laughing reading the comments, because it seems you
guys really couldn’t imagine I’d call Moon Chae Won. Right now the comments
say, “We want to hear from the other actors too,” “Can you please sing the song
yourself?” “I wish Moon Chae Won talked a bit more,” “Do-Cha Couple is so
lovely.” Yes, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Well, I’m glad I did [call
her]. There was a poll going on earlier, right? Yes, we had this poll window
[on the screen]. Surprise quiz in celebration of me winning two AAA awards.
AAA, right. Winner of two awards. That’s right, I won two awards. But the photo
that appeared during the vote. While the song was playing, you saw the photo on
the screen, right? So we ran a poll about what awards ceremony this photo was
from. Some people voted for something completely nonsensical. Cuteness Awards
Ceremony. Why did you do that? Were you that desperate for attention… Well, you
got my attention. I wonder who voted for it. Anyway, I sincerely thank you for
thinking that I’m cute. The answer is, it’s from the 2016 drama wards. A total
of 94 per… Ah, this is percentage. Sorry, I was like, how come so few people
voted? Aha, 3 percent of you voted for the Cuteness Awards. Okay, 1 percent
voted for the Extroverted INFP People Awards. And 1 percent for the
Exceptionally Introverted Awards… Really! I am not that exceptionally
introverted. Well, tsk, fine, I am an introvert. Anyway, yes, the answer is the
2016 SBS Drama Awards ceremony. To those who got the answer right, thank you so
much. It’s weird some of you didn’t get this right, but the funny wrong answers
are also welcome.
(77:58
~
Ah, this is the new system NOW has
just created. This… Hm, it’s not much of a surprise, but anyway, it’s fun.
Quite fun. Yes, this poll system… So did you all get to participate in the
poll? Maybe you guys were so mesmerized by the Do-Cha Couple’s voices that you
are still not back in the real world. Some of you probably couldn’t participate
in the poll. They must be feeling very bad now. We have more polls ready so you
can participate later on. So make sure to participate. You can participate by
clicking on the poll window. It was a photo from the 2016 Drama Awards. I was
also not so sure, so looking at the photo, I was like, ‘When was this?’ [** The song ‘For You’ starts playing **]
Hmm, the song’s playing right now. Yes, I was there for “Moon Lovers: Scarlet
Heart Ryeo.” Just hearing the song alone brings back the memories of that time.
We, Team Moon Lovers, had such great teamwork. Back at the SBS Drama Awards,
many people envied us and were surprised, seeing the camaraderie our team had,
and we also got compliments from other related staff. We truly enjoyed it. We
shot the drama for about a year. So we got to share so many things and make so
many memories. Yes, thanks to you guys who loved the love story of Moon Lovers
and those heartwarming stories in it, we really had a great time. Recently,
through Flower of Evil, after watching Flower of Evil… Yes, through actor Lee
Joon Gi. Many people started watching Moon Lovers.
(79:49
~
So after watching Flower of Evil,
they started binge-watching [Moon Lovers] – these days, people call it
“binge-watching for the nth time” or something like that. Many of them say they
became fans after watching Moon Lovers. I mean, it’s been 4 years! The fact
that we are still getting such a great response is such a blessing. I want to
thank our Lee Ji Eun [IU], our fellow actors, the director, and the production
staff who worked with me. Just among us, we always say we are grateful. Moon
Lovers, in particular, has a lot of fans in Korea, but it has a global fandom
as well. Even now, it is getting so much love. As for me, I got younger fans,
like middle- and high-school students? I even saw some elementary school
students becoming fans of mine. I was truly surprised by how Moon Lovers was
watched by such diverse groups of people. Personally, for me, it was like a big
gift that really diversified my fan base. Ah, is it among the most watched on
Netflix now? Wow, I hope our Flower of Evil soon becomes like that, too.
(Laughs) Please show your support for Flower of Evil. Anyway, when it comes to
Moon Lovers. Yes, do you want me to? Want me to do something in ASMR style?
Then I’m going to do the best line from Moon Lovers. For those who are still
missing Wang So. Hm hm. It’s from the last episode, right? That line from the
finale. [**JG speaks as Wang So**]
“If we are not from the same world, I will find you. My Soo.” (Laughs). Save.
Pretty good, wasn’t it? Because the mic is so good, my voice comes out great,
too.
(81:50
~
Yes, so it [Moon Lovers] is the
quintessence of rediscovery. [** ‘yeok-ju-haeng’
is a popular Korean term that refers to old stuff getting rediscovered or
receiving newfound popularity **] (Laughs) People are so hyped. Great,
let’s go. It’s getting hot, so I am going to take this off before we continue.
Looks like you guys loved it [**JG’s
reading of Wang So’s line ASMR-style**] [**JG takes off his jacket**] Ah, now it’s better. It seems many of
you really love it. Was it good? (Laughs) I haven’t played Wang So in a long
time, so I felt a little awkward. I wonder if it was good. Yes, some call it
the ‘Joon Gi Universe,’ or the universe of the Joon Gi works. I see you guys
are so looking forward to it. There are comments like: “You have a honey
voice,” “Dear Wang So,” “It’s like you sprinkled sugar over my ears,” “My heart
exploded.” The chat window is going so wild right now. Yes, Wang So is so
popular. Since many of you were looking forward to it. And since I haven’t
spoken in that voice in a long while. I felt awkward, but it seems you guys
loved it.
(83:24
~
Now, Joon Gi’s Universe. Let us talk
about the universe of Joon Gi’s works. Joon Gi Universe. What should we talk
about next? It’s been a while, so shall we bring our Nouncer back out? Nouncer,
please come out. {NOUNCER: Take a look at the following
comment, and name what work it refers to.} {JOONGI} Here is the comment.
Yes. It’s appearing on the screen now. It looks too small to me, I can’t see it
clearly. I will make it bigger. Yes. On the screen… Now it’s bigger. [** A comment shows up on the screen **] “A
timeless masterpiece you can’t just praise enough.” “One and only in the truest
sense of the term. Just a timeless masterpiece.” Yes, OOOO wrote this 4 years
ago. (Laughs) It’s been a long time. Yes, this comment. 4 years ago. From OOOO.
Wow. What work is it referring to? What do you think it is? Just looking at
this first comment. Ah, many say it’s Time Between Dog and Wolf. Moon Lovers?
Time Between Dog and Wolf? King and the Clown? Right now, many comments say
Time Between Dog and Wolf. Moon Lovers comes second, followed by King and the
Clown. Yes, of course, there are still good works that are not being mentioned
here. Second hint. [** Song ‘Fate’ starts
playing **] Now, you are hearing the background music. It’s much easier
now. Yes, “The one and only 10-million audience movie in the truest sense of
the term.” Yes, do you guys get it? Do you get it now? Yes, comments are coming
in. King and the Clown, King and the Clown, King and the Clown, King and the
Clown, King and the Clown. King and Clown. That’s correct, guys. It’s the work
that’s an integral part of the Joon Gi Universe. King and the Clown.
(85:38
~
Korean cinema has now grown so much
and there are many brilliant movies that drew more than 10 million moviegoers.
But I remember it [King and the Clown] was such a sensation and received so
much love. King and the Clown is a work that’s like part and parcel of me. It
is a work that made actor Lee Joon Gi widely known to the public. Hm, how
should I put this? To me, it is a blessing. Those who started loving me back in
the King and the Clown era – they still believe in me, cheer me on, and love
me. It’s a work that made me known as an actor who receives so much love in and
outside of Korea. It’s also a work that let the whole world know about the
beauty of Korean cinema. There’s a lot more. Back then, I received so much
love. So much so that I wonder if I will ever get to enjoy days like those
again. Will I ever get to enjoy days like those again? Of course, I just have
to keep striving and working hard to do projects like that. Really, I was so
lucky to be part of the work. Through that work, I met you guys. It came out in
December 2005. I remember it stayed in theatres for a very long time, until
well into 2006. Because so many people asked it to. Seriously. Yes, it received
so much love. I remember it played in theatres for a long time. Also, back
then, I still remember this fan who watched King and the Clown 48 times in
theatres. The fan brought all her admission tickets to prove it. Many people
watched it so many times. Will I ever get to receive such love again? With a
movie? I remember asking myself that. There are several other things I
remember. I also remember all of us watching it standing at Daehan Cinema. At
the time, there were so many people… In fact, there was something like a craze
for the movie. So it probably won’t happen again, but at the time, there
weren’t enough seats available in the theatre, we were all watching it standing.
It was so packed that even the buses coming out of the theatre were shaking.
Even when the actors were leaving, they could not really move because it was
crowded with so many people. Yeah, I remember those things. It was like, I felt
like a rock star. I remember receiving so much love. There must be so many
other records.
(88:12
~
So about King and the Clown,
Nouncer, our AI Nouncer has something to say. Let’s hear it, shall we?
{NOUNCER: These are the actual records of the polls you
topped at the time. Listen carefully, and pick your favorite No. 1: No. 1 in
the Netizens’ Choice of Fairy Tale Princes; No. 1 in the Celebs You Want to Get
a Congratulatory Kiss from When You Become a Grownup; No. 1 in the Celebs You
Want to Bring Along on the Way to Your Hometown during Korean Lunar New Year
Holidays; No. 1 in the Best Devoted Men of the Era; No. 1 in the Most Precious
Men on the Small Screen; and No. 1 in the Celebs Who Have the Most BGMs on
Cyworld.} {JOONGI} Hmm, there were so many back then. My favorite No. 1.
I like all of them, though. I like that fairy tale prince thing, and the man
you want to get a congratulatory kiss from. Back then I… Many people feel sad
about it now, but back then, we used to have a thing called Cyworld. The one
who had the most BGMs on Cyworld, 5,031 songs. I bought some of them, but at
the time, many many fans visited my page. They gifted me a lot of Dotori [** acorns; virtual currency used on Cyworld**]
and gifted me a lot of songs, as well. I remember I couldn’t accept all of
those gifts so I actually had to set a day aside to check and accept all those
tokens of love from my fans, one by one. One more thing, actually. This is
something I want to brag about. I think mine was the most visited Cyworld page
at the time. Of all pages. I am not sure if I still have the screenshot of that
[record]. It was incredible. Also, not just the total number of visits, but I
also had an almost record-breaking number of daily visits from members. It was
monumental. I was sort of proud of that kind of thing at the time. But I felt
sad when hearing the news of Cyworld shutting down. It has so many memories I
shared with my fans back then, so I feel very sad. Very sad, indeed. I made
ilchons [friends] as well. I had ilchons, as well. Some comments say ‘ilchon.’
Yes, of course. At the time, when I received ilchon requests, I accepted a lot
of them. I would exchange a lot of messages with my fans, too. So that’s what
happened.
(90:24
~
“Oppa, are you sleepy?” Nope, I am
not. I am not sleepy at all. On the contrary, I was thinking hard, wondering
what I should do to talk faster and say all the things [I want to say]. “The
number of visits to your Instagram page is about the same as the number you had
for your Cyworld page.” Oh, really? Hm, really? Still, it was an incredible
number at the time. So I like all of those, but my favorite is ‘The one who had
the most BGMs on Cyworld.’ Also, ah. I like them all, at the time. Also, Naver
back then. Now that I am here on Naver. Naver’s most searched persons. You
know, [persons] topping daily charts. I remember topping the charts for like 40
something weeks. Nobody has mentioned it yet. I’m disappointed. Can’t you look
it up, Naver? Some data, please? There should be some records of me topping the
daily most searched person charts then. Yes, I think there should be. Anyway,
the Joon Gi Universe. King and the Clown. That good old King and the Clown.
Such a blessing to me. Filled with precious memories I shared with you guys. So
we talked about King and the Clown.
(91:29
~
Next work from the Joon Gi Universe.
Please show us a comment. Give us a comment. “Boaster Joon Gi.” “Boaster Joon
Gi.” (Laughs) [** A comment shows **]
“Final…” Yes, the next work from the Joon Gi Universe. Hint: “Withdrawals from
that final episode are real. Just thinking about it even now makes my heart
ache.” Yes, OOO. It was posted 3 years ago. What work is this referring to? It
is a very hard question. Now, you guys are saying, Moon Lovers, Moon Lovers,
Time Between Dog and Wolf, Time Between Dog and Wolf, Moon Lovers. Yes, it
looks like Moon Lovers is dominating. But we already talked about Moon Lovers.
So think a little more please. “It just came to mind and I started
binge-watching it. I feel like I watched a 16-hour movie.” Oh, I won’t say the
nickname. [** The nickname shown here is
‘Gae-sae,’ which is shorthand for ‘Gae-sae-kki,’ meaning son of a bitch; also,
‘gae’ = dog, ‘sae’ = bird in Korean **]. The nickname has, um, a mix of my
favorite animals, I guess? (Laughs). Now, guys, here’s the background music.
You get it, don’t you? That’s right. You should know by now. Those who just
recently became fans of mine probably have no idea. Yes, that’s right. It’s
“Time Between Dog and Wolf.” Doesn’t it make your heart ache just hearing this
background music? Sometimes, I watch Time Between Dog and Wolf on YouTube while
drinking beer and, yes, I cry a lot. In particular, when watching Episode 12,
or Episode 14. About that heartbreaking life of Soo Hyun. Yes, watching my performance.
I know it’s a bit pathetic crying while watching my own performances. (Laughs)
But I really cry a lot, a lot. Do you guys also feel the same way when you
watch it again? I think Time Between Dog and Wolf was a sort of turning point
for me.
(93:48
~
There is this article dated December
25, 2005. “Lee Joon Gi, leading star of ‘My Girl,’ has topped Internet searches
for 8 consecutive days, demonstrating his rise in popularity.” So I topped the
searches for 8 consecutive days. In “My Girl,” I played a second male lead. In
fact, in that drama, I played a sort of, how should I put this, a devoted
chaebol guy? So I was playing that kind of role. It was sort of an androgynous
character. A bit androgynous and pretty. But at the same time, a most tough guy
when it came to love. Seo Jung Woo, right? It’s a very precious work of mine in
that romantic comedies have become nonexistent [in my filmography] since.
Following that drama, I needed a turning point in terms of acting. Then, like
by a stroke of fate, came along the script of Time Between Dog and Wolf. It was
the work that cast ‘Actor Lee Joon Gi’ in a new light, and I also think that
was actually the reason I chose to be part of it. More specifically, by this
time, I had received an explosive amount of love for being a pretty boy, like a
gentle and tender guy having long hair and an androgynous charm. Then I
thought, I want to be seen more as an ‘actor.’ Sure, as a male actor, there are
several different things you can be seen as, but I thought, seriously, it was
about time I had tried different other things and taken risks in terms of
acting; otherwise I might fall behind. At the time, I worried a lot about this.
It was at this time that I came across this script, and the script was
entitled, ‘Time Between Dog and Wolf.’ Even now, after we already found out how
it ends, the title is still cool, but when I first saw it, I thought, “Wow, it
is such a cool title.” It has so many meanings behind it, and I could
immediately sense the good versus evil conflict from the script. So the moment
I started reading it, the scripts – synopses – for episodes 1, 2, 3, and 4 read
so smoothly, and I flew through them. Right after reading the synopses, I just
completely made up my mind to do it.
(96:09
~
Also, a meeting with director Kim
Jin Min also left me more convinced. I remember back then, I was told,
“Shouldn’t you take on more film work?” “Why would you take risks in the
drama?” “It’s so tough. Dramas are not easy,” “You need more experience before
doing it.” But for me, it was a tremendous challenge. Yes, it was during this
time that I did a rethinking of how to approach acting. It became a turning
point where I learned a lot. Yes, I received a lot of love, as well. Yes,
that’s right. (Laughs) Yes, [Soo Hyun] also ranks among the most pitiful
characters I’ve played. (Laughs) All my characters are so pitiful. Yes, it’s a
salt flat. It’s a salt flat. For all my characters. [** Pitiful characters make you cry. Tears are salty. Hence the ‘salt flat’
metaphor **] My fans always tell me, “I want our actor to live a good life,
with both parents alive, looking neat and tidy and cool.” Someday I will play
roles like that. I think from this time on, my aspirations as an actor became
greater. I started giving a sort of ‘sincere’ performances where I threw myself
around and poured all of my passion in it, and director Kim Jin Min helped me a
lot with this. Back then, director Kim Jin Min had a very strong personality.
When it came to the drama, I was still not so… I was not yet flexible when it
came to this drama-making system. I got scolded a lot by the director, but also
I learned a lot from him. Time Between Dog and Wolf had the script and
directing that maximized those skills and potential that I had in me, and I
think it was made possible by the help I got from so many people. At the time,
all the actors were rising stars, weren’t they? Rising. There were Jung Kyung
Ho, Nam Sang Mi. I had lots of help from them. Personally, I think Time Between
Dog and Wolf is a truly brilliant drama that can stand the test of time. It was
the sort of noir drama that I doubt can ever be made again in Korea. As far as
I know, it was the first noir picture to ever be made in [Korean] drama
history. The character with such a turbulent life. Seriously. The life of a man
who’s standing on the edge of a cliff. Things like that. I think actors tend to
have this strong desire to play that kind of role. Back then, I think I was
hesitant [to take on that role] because I was so scared. But yes, it was such a
great drama.
(98:47
~
Okay, then. “Oppa, your dramas are
all masterpieces.” “Is this program going on all night?” Ah, is it boring?
(Laughs) Is it boring? No, it’s not going on all night. What is it? What time
is it? Guys, did you all vote? Yes. [**Poll
on screen – “The most pitiful of all characters (played by JG)?”: Wang So from
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo 67%, Do Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil 15%, Jang
Tae San from Two Weeks 6%, Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf 6%, Yong
from Iljimae 4% **] (Laughs) Yes, did you love Soo Hyun and Kay so much?
“Look at his shoulders,” yes, that’s right. “Actor who is the best at
portraying pitiful characters.” Yes, that’s right. Ah. Characters that live
turbulent lives, characters that touch your hearts, and characters that live on
salt flats – all played by Lee Joon Gi and his Universe. Who is the most
pitiful character? Who is your choice? Yes, Yong from Iljimae got 4%. Ah, Yong
is also very… Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf got 6%. Do Hyun Soo
from Flower of Evil, wait, Jang Tae San from Two Weeks got 6%. Oh, they got the
same percentage, didn’t they? Do Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil got 15%. Wang So
from Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo got 67%. (Laughs) You know what’s so funny
here? All these five characters are just so too much. [**JG talking to himself**] How come, of all the characters, you chose
these? Seriously. You are truly one of a kind, really. I mean, really, all of
them have some brushes with death. This is so… If I had had to shoot all these
dramas in a single year, I probably wouldn’t be here. (Laughs) So what if I had
a choice? Wow, all these are really… After finishing all these dramas, I got
eye infections; I got fevers; and I got fractures too. Anyway, I think I ended
up in bad shape after finishing each of these dramas. Ah, of course, as for
Flower of Evil, it was mentally exhausting as well. As for the rest of the
dramas, I was really in bad shape [right after finishing them]. But for me… The
most pitiful character? They are all so poor, though. But if I had to choose
one, I think I like Yong from Iljimae the most. Because… Ah, “like”? I mean, it
was so sad. He saw his sister executed right before his eyes. And his father,
too, dies right before his eyes. He’s really watched all those heartbreaking
situations right before his eyes. Since such a young age, no less. Since a
young age, he’s witnessed the death of his own father and also the death of the
other father who raised him as his own child. Also, just after he has barely
reunited with his biological sister, he sees her executed right before his
eyes. It’s just too much. I just couldn’t survive if I were Yong. To this day,
just thinking about him makes me tear up.
(101:30
~
Yes, Wang So from Moon Lovers:
Scarlet Heart Ryeo, whom most of you chose, is also very pitiful. For me,
though… that’s right. Now (laughs) Do you want me to do that? You know, from
Time Between Dog and Wolf, how exactly does it go, my [voice-over] narration? I
can’t remember it well. How does it go? When the sun falls… Everything. I will
do that line for you, as a gift. I need to get out of Wang So. Um… “When the
sun falls, everything gets washed up red. And the silhouette that approaches
from those hills, whether it is the dog that I raised, or a wolf that comes to
hurt me. The time when I cannot tell. It is the time when both good and evil
can only be red.” (Laughs) I tripped over my words in the middle of it.
(Laughs) Yes, it’s supposed to feel a bit hesitant like this, right? I tripped
up a bit, though. But it’s okay. This style [of narrating] too. I haven’t done
it in a long time. It is a difficult narration. Now I got this comment, “Let us
do this all night.” Yes, I can do it. But you see, the camera directors and the
production staff here all have their own families [waiting for them at home] It
could get them in trouble. So yeah, no, we can’t. For me, I want to spend all
night with you guys. Should I just buy this place? If I get a great response
today, I will have a talk with Naver NOW and try to create another opportunity
to do this… Oh, the writer is Okay with it? I am having fun doing this. Yes, I
will think about it after seeing how you respond. Now I am going to play
another song. The reason I chose this particular song is actually, as I have
often told my fans. The very reason I have received so much love; I have done
such a variety of precious projects in such great environments; I have shared
and connected with you guys; I have felt such happiness; and I have lived such
a blessed life with you guys. That’s because you guys have stayed by my side,
right? So I wondered, how on earth did all these precious bonds that I have
with you guys begin? [**Korean word
“Inyeon” means fate, connection, tie/bond; it’s also the name of Lee Sun Hee’s
song for King and the Clown**] How could I ever measure the value of these
bonds? Where did all these come from? As I am now appreciating how precious all
these are and reminding myself of those bonds I have with every single one of
you, I find them more precious tonight. That’s why I have this song ready for
you. It’s a song by Lee Sun Hee. “Meet Him Among Them.” Let’s hear it, and I
will be right back.
(104:18
~ 108:03)
Song: “MEET HIM AMONG THEM” by Lee
Sun Hee
(108:04
~
I am back. Lee Joon Gi DREAM.
Presented by me and Naver NOW. Many of you love this song. I gifted you this
song several times personally on social media, too. Mmm. When I listen to this
song, I tear up for no reason, and I feel happy for no reason. And I think
about the gratitude I feel towards so many people without whom I wouldn’t exist
as I do right now in real life, and about how precious they are and how much
they mean to me. I also think about what kind of life I should live from now
on. In the end, I should continue to “walk” along with them. This is not the
kind of life you can make easily. That’s why I feel so much gratitude towards
them, and how precious they are, staying by my side. Because of Covid-19, I
felt sad as I spent a whole year finding it increasingly more difficult to have
those ordinary and precious everyday moments and connect with those people. How
precious those normal everyday moments were. Just how did we get to this point
where those are so badly missed? I really had precious moments with such
precious people. I think this year has been one that has made us all realize
such things. Personally, it made me feel a lot of things and reflect on myself.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, and hope you have a great rest of the
year, and stay healthy. Please always stay by my side. So, now, the comments:
“Can’t you be a regular host on NOW?” Regular host on NOW. I can’t really use
this expensive studio, but as I told you earlier, the writer keeps saying,
“Let’s do this again.” Anyway, I will leave it completely up to you to make it happen.
“I hope you continue to do this. I will wait. Red Ginseng Joongi, go on and
become a regular.” Ah, I also feel so happy interacting with you guys in such a
great environment. I am so happy. I hope we can spend more time together like
this. “I’d love it if you’d be a regular,” “Be a regular,” “Become a regular.”
Regular… Right now, the keyword in the chat is ‘regular.” The keyword ‘regular’
has become regular now. Thank you so very much. Thanks to your love, I get to
have a great time here like this. Now you guys are watching Lee Joon Gi DREAM
live.
(111:54
~
Now, on to the Character World Cup!
[**On screen: What’s Lee Joon Gi’s
favorite character?**] The segments we prepared today… I wonder if you guys
find them entertaining enough. This is something a lot of people do these days,
right? So, as an extension of the Joon Gi Universe, we will be doing this World
Cup of the characters in Lee Joon Gi’s filmography. Let’s do this My Favorite
Character World Cup. What is Lee Joon Gi’s favorite character? Originally, we
were supposed to start with a 32-team tournament, but we don’t have time.
(Laughs) So let us get right to the 8-team tournament. Hm. First, we have Lee
Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf, and Park Yoon Kang from Gunman in
Joseon. It’s a tight match between these two characters. Both of them are,
well, great. Yes, as for my favorite character. But as I told you earlier,
although both are very amazing characters, the character that is still loved so
much and from a work that became a turning point in my acting career – that is,
Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf – that’s the character that I will
never forget forever. So, it’s Lee Soo Hyun. Lee Soo Hyun wins. Advancing to
the next round. Next up, Gong Gil from King and the Clown, and Seo Jung Woo
from My Girl. What about you guys? What about you? For me, of course. Yes,
that’s right. The one that connected me to you guys, the link that connected us
together – from my life-changing work. Gong Gil from King and the Clown. Gong
Gil is moving up, on a tightrope. (Laughs) Next up. Next is also a tight match.
Historical drama versus historical drama. Wang So from Moon Lovers: Scarlet
Heart Ryeo, and Yong from Iljimae. This is so… Hmm. Iljimae is the
quintessential modern-day hero… Wait, no, the quintessential historical drama
hero. This is the kind of hero that is so rare in Korea. Ah, this is so tough.
Iljimae. Ah, seriously. As for Wang So, he touched the hearts of so many women.
Right now, Wang So is dominating the chat. Although many also say Yong. Yes,
Wang So from Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Today, I will go along with your
choice. Both are my favorite characters, though. Wang So advances.
(114:47
~
Lastly, Do Hyun Soo from Flower of
Evil, and Bong Sang Pil from Lawless Lawyer. Of course, both are awesome, but
recently, in terms of the drama, or in terms of acting, thankfully so many
people gave such positive feedback and so many people are still in love with
him, right? Do Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil advances. So now, we just played the
8-team tournament. Are you guys happy with the result? Hmm, Do Hyun Soo, Do
Hyun Soo, Do Hyun Soo. That’s right, a lot of you say Do Hyun Soo. Mmm. As for
Bong Sang Pil, I had this thing. I mean, I lost a lot of weight because of this
drama, so I personally feel so emotionally attached to this character. Some of
the characters I played could have been just copies of my own work. In
particular, in the contemporary drama, if I end up looking like a hero, the
narrative, the depth, and the emotions that my character has could not be shown
but get buried. So I wanted to put more thought into it in different ways. In
playing Bong Sang Pil, I really put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into it.
Back then, many of you felt so bad for me. I think I had never lost so much
weight throughout my acting career as I did at that time. So yes, Bong Sang Pil
is also a favorite character of mine that I cannot ignore. The other day, at
the AAA awards, I met Yea Ji again. We received the awards together, and we
really had a lot of fun then. I remember saying to Yea Ji, “Hey, I wish we
could have been up here like this back in the Lawless Lawyer era.” In the end,
we were up there as male and female recipients of the Best Artist Award. So it
was then that I asked Yea Ji: “Can we walk arm in arm when we go up there? When
we walk onto the stage together? So we can use this as though we did it for
Lawless Lawyer.” (Laughs) So yeah, it was a sort of, sort of a wish come true.
(117:02
~
Yes, “What is it you are drinking
now?” What I am drinking right now is the fruit juice my fans sent me
earlier. An assortment of fruits are
dancing in it. Yes. Yes, it’s delicious. “You had great chemistry with Moon
Chae Won.” “You also had great chemistry with Hae Jae Yi.” Yes, thank you so
much. “Oppa’s big picture.” Yes, whenever I get up on the stage, I do things
like that because I want to show you guys something entertaining. Yea Ji is
also very…. How should I put this? I thought she might feel a bit awkward, so I
teased her a lot too. You know, Yea Ji has a great personality. So she took it
very well, saying, “Oppa, you are still the same goofball.” Now, we have the
4-team tournament ready. 4-team tournament. Which do you think is my favorite
character? We have four teams, four players: Lee Soo Hyun from TBDW, Wang So
from Moon Lovers, Gong Gil from King and the Clown, and Do Hyun Soo from Flower
of Evil. “Please say something in a dialect”? Why speaking a dialect all of a
sudden? Ah. [**JG speaks a dialect /
Busan accent because he’s from Busan, Korea**] So we have Lee Soo Hyun from
TBDAW and Wang So from Moon Lovers up against each other. (Laughs) I can’t do
it, trying to do it all of a sudden. So, the four-team tournament. Lee Soo Hyun
from TBDAW versus Wang So from Moon Lovers. This is a big match, big match. A
comment says, “This is like between the two highest peaks.” Wow, this is really
tough. What am I supposed to do? Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf,
Wang So from Moon Lovers. You guys are going wild right now. The comments say, Wang
So, Wang So, Wang So, Lee Soo Hyun, Lee Soo Hyun, Lee Soo Hyun. Wow, right now,
it’s so… It’s just gone wild for now. Yes, it is exactly like what’s going on
inside my head. This is exactly what’s going on inside my head. Wow. I’m dying
here. This is too much. This is too cruel. Seriously, this is too brutal. What
am I supposed to do? Help me out guys. Help me. This is really difficult. I
think I can spend the whole night just on this. (Laughs) How about this? Wang
So from Moon Lovers… The comments say, this is like the final. Wang So from
Moon Lovers has gotten so much love from you for the past 4 years. So let’s
have Wang So make room for his senior, Lee Soo Hyun. Although he himself is
from the Goryeo era. (Laughs) Yes, let Wang So make room for him. This feeling
of longing for Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf, hmm, deepens
tonight. Yes, I will hand a victory to Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and
Wolf, who might be working now as a spy in Paris, France. Yes, Wang So is
already getting so much love, so he can be a bit more generous.
(120:16
~
So now, King and the Clown versus Do
Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil. What am I supposed to do? Let me take a look at
the comments. Gong Gil from King and the Clown. From Flower of Evil. Wang So?
You guys are still talking about Wang So. Gong Gil from King and the Clown, Do
Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil. Yes, Gong Gil. Gong Gil has been sufficiently
loved. Yes. As I told you earlier, he represents my history. So Do Hyun Soo,
from Flower of Evil. “Gong Gil Do Hyun Soo.” (Laughs) Do Hyun Soo from Flower
of Evil. I want to give one more vote to Do Hyun Soo who’s getting love from
you now. So by one vote, Hyun Soo advances. So we are down to Lee Soo Hyun from
TBDAW and Do Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil. Coincidentally, these two are both
from contemporary dramas. Hmm, I didn’t even think about this. I’m a complete
idiot. Right. (Laughs) Many of you are saying Do Hyun Soo, though. Hmm. Even
though they’re both from contemporary dramas, I really found this difficult. I
mean, in Time Between Dog and Wolf, I suffer memory loss, and then I start on
undercover work and suffer an identity crisis before I finally get my memory
back. Likewise, in Flower of Evil, I receive this assessment called anti-social
personality disorder and live without knowing what emotions are, but Hyun Soo
could have been a sufficiently good ‘flower’ if he had been loved and raised in
a good environment. It was so hard and I felt a sort of obsession and weight in
giving a delicate portrayal of him. But anyway, I found it so hard but also
thrilling to express those psychological states both characters are in. Actors
are like that. When you guys relate to [my character] psychologically and feel
the heartache and confusion along with me, I feel a tremendous sense of delight
and achievement.
(122:34
~
So now, we are down to the final
match, guys. Final match. Lee Soo Hyun from TBDAW and Do Hyun Soo from Flower
of Evil. Hmm. What is your choice? Hmm, Do Hyun Soo. Lee Soo Hyun. “For me,
it’s Lee Soo Hyun, Lee Soo Hyun.” “It’s so tough I love it.” (Laughs) “I loved
it because it was tough.” “Soo Hyun is a character you can’t do if you are not
a good actor.” That’s right. “It’s so tough, tough, really tough. Do Hyun Soo,
Soo Hyun, Lee Soo Hyun, Do Hyun Soo.” I just had a quick look, and ah, of
course. Yes, good. This is the choice I’m going to make. A comment says, “Do
Hyun Soo Hyun.” (Laughs) I’m speechless. Yes. The winner is Do Hyun Soo Hyun,
from Flower of Time Between Dog and Wolf. (Laughs). Heartfelt congratulations
to Do Hyun Soo Hyun, Flower of Time Between Dog and Wolf. Isn’t that brilliant?
Hmm, my choice is. Many of you made that choice too. To an actor who is now
thirty something years old – because I do not like revealing my age – as an
actor who is now thirty something and who has been around for 20 years since
his debut, to actor Lee Joon Gi, he brought this new flower into bloom and has
since been loved by you guys – that is, Do Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil! Is my
final decision. Heartfelt congratulations to Do Hyun Soo, Flower of Evil.
(Claps) Fanfare. Bbam bba ra bam. Bbam bbam bbam, bbam bba ra bam. Chuuuuu
congratulations. Yup, hi, this is Do Hyun Soo.
(124:24
~ / background music “FEEL YOU”)
Thank you, from the bottom of my
heart. (Laughs) I never thought I would receive an award like this. Ji Won,
this is all thanks to you. Ji Won, I will hurry back home. (Laughs) To our
director Kim Chul Gyu, who allowed me to play Do Hyun Soo, writer Yoo Jung Hee,
and CP Yoo Sang Won, from Studio Dragon, to Moon Chae Won, Jang Hee jin, Seo
Hyun Woo, Kim Ji Hun, and other senior, junior, fellow actors, the production
team, and the staff. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. (Claps) Guys,
please continue to watch Flower of Evil multiple times. Flower of Evil gets
even greater when you watch it several times. (Laughs) “Do you want me to tell
you? What kind of person I am?” (Laughs) So yeah, so I played this World Cup
segment that apparently many people do these days, but it’s so tough. Just for
no reason. It’s not that fun, but it’s tough. (Laughs) Next time, I will
prepare an even better segment. But it was really tough for me. Seriously. Wow,
because I had to choose quickly while doing this live. Anyway. Thank you, the
production staff, for allowing me to reminisce about these great characters and
relive those memories with my fans. We have a lot of segments ready today, but
it’s already midnight. Hmm. I knew it. I told you I am like that. I don’t know.
It’s 12:09 a.m. now. Ah, why am I so talkative? Hmm, anyway, I will speed
things up. So yeah, I have like, four or five segments ready, but I guess I
should put them aside for now. (Laughs) Because, I am sorry. I really am, guys.
You guys should go to work tomorrow, but… I apologize. As for the segments I prepared,
I will try and do them before the year ends if I get the opportunity to do so.
(Laughs) I will do them before the year ends. Before the year ends. Yes. This
is why I can’t be a good DJ [host].
(126:49
~
Now, it’s time for me to give out
gifts to you guys. It’s time for me to show my appreciation to my fans for
staying with me so late into the night. Was it since last week, guys? We
started taking your personal stories last week, didn’t we? Right? Yes, your
personal stories. So now, I have all your personal stories brought up here with
me. They [staff] kindly printed these out for me. Hmm, I had already read all
of them before I came in. Today, I am taking these stories home with me. We
received these stories through email and via text message. I will read to you a
few of these stories that I found very impressive while reading them. Yes. [**JG reads comments**] What? Ah, you want
me to be a regular host? Nope. So we’ve got a lot of stories. Actually, these
‘bonds’ that I have with my fans really come in all different forms. I am proud
to be one of the very few actors who have maintained very strong relationships
[with my fans] for a long time. Yes. That’s why I feel grateful but also so
bummed out that this seems the only way we got to see one another. I have
always ended each year by making eye contact with you guys, jumping and singing
together. Now, then, let us… Yes, “Joon Gi Brag Flex.” Yes, please show us the
photos.
(128:32
~
This is Lee Joon Gi, an actor who
always stays connected with you. Yes, that’s right. Do you see the photos? Yes.
The nickname is ‘준야’ [fan’s nickname]. Let me read this story from
준야. [** fan story begins **] “In
2005, with King and the Clown about to come out, just as profile photos of this
actor called Lee Joon Gi, who played Gong Gil, gradually spread all over the
Internet, I saw this one profile photo and fell in love with him. That photo
marked the best and the greatest butterfly effect moment of my life, and even
after 15 years, I am still writing this story while digging up this ‘fan box’
of mine. Though exceptionally introverted, I became a fan who helped fly the
ad balloons at the place where we celebrated oppa’s military discharge; who
made 2,000 paper planes for a fan event; and who flew overseas to attend your concerts.
Looking back, I realized those moments added up to this incredible number: 15
years. Of course, just like any couple in love out there, no fan thinks about
the end when it’s only just the beginning, but it has already been 15 years! Do
you think this is what it feels like to get caught in a triangle choke, your
special skill, which you said was not easy to let go and get out of once you
got caught?” (Laughs) [**JG pauses**]
Yes, because I practice jiu jitsu… [**
back to story **]
“Even now, I find myself constantly
falling so hard for Lee Joon Gi that it does not feel real seeing all this time
passing. In my fan box, I see faded pieces of newspapers, tickets that are
washed out and barely recognizable, the videotapes I cannot even play because
there is no player available now, and the advertising photos where you are
holding this flip phone. I feel weird because it feels like they are telling me
about all this time that passed. I want to say to you ‘Thank you for not
letting go of me for such a long time.’ I cannot even begin to imagine how much
time you spent agonizing and worrying about showing us a newer and a more
mature version of yourself each and every time. But thanks to you, I have lived
every moment of my life as a fan of yours feeling unabashedly proud of ‘my
actor.’ I pray that I will become a better person, and a better fan, who never
changes but grows to be an upstanding person just as you are now. At the rate
things are going now, I think I will be able to send a wreath to your 70th
birthday party.” [**JG pauses**] (Laughs)
It makes me both happy and sad. [** back
to story **] “First things first, though, I guess I must survive before I
get to do that, but I will do my best. Please look forward to it.” [** story ends **]
(131:11
~
Ah. 준야, are you watching this? Yes, I remember it
too. Hmm. There are a lot of people I can recognize just by their nicknames.
(Laughs) That’s right. We really have spent so much time together. How did we
get to connect with each other through that one profile photo you saw even
before the movie came out? And then we have been a positive influence on each
other ever since. Honestly, just as 준야 felt, thanks to your love, I am also so happy
and so filled with precious moments that I didn’t even realize 20 years have
passed. All those moments. Looking back, I think this is how I feel. When I
look at the things I have had for a long time, I also realize they are no
longer what they used to be. For instance, the tickets that are so washed up
they are almost unrecognizable. And I have collected those handwritten letters
and fan letters from you guys and I still keep them, but I don’t have space to
store all of them. So as I dig up the old things and look through them, I
realize, wow, so many of those sincere gifts are fading now, little by little.
Those tapes, too, right? Videotapes. The player isn’t working any more. Those
old CDs – I can no longer play them, either. Because I have a Blu-ray player at
home now. Anyway, to this fan who has always stayed by my side and helped me
become a decent person – I consider your story to be representative of those of
my other fans. I am going to pick a gift from this gift list and send it to our
준야. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am so touched. Here’s the
Gifticon list, the NOW sack. What should I pick for you? There really are so
many. So many, but. I want to give you something expensive. Hm. Yes. To someone
who has given me so much strength for 15 years. I will send you a set. A set.
What would you like? Hmm. Kyochon Chicken. My favorite. I mean, it used to be
my favorite. Kyochon Chicken’s Red Combo Potato Wedges Set. Wait, wait. [** to the staff **] Does this Red combo
come with the potato set? You’re not sending just the potato wedges, are you?
Okay, to 준야, I will send you the Gifticon for the Red
Combo Potato Wedges Set from Kyochon Chicken. Congratulations. (Claps) Thank
you, NOW. Thank you, 준야.
(134:00
~
Now, on to the next story. The
nickname is ‘고파.’ [** ‘고파’ means ‘wanting something,’ often referring to hunger or thirst **] What are you so hungry for? I
am so hungry right now too. Yes. (Laughs) 고파. [** fan
story begins **] “To my precious actor. This is 고파 who misses Joongi so much.” [** JG
pauses **] Hmm, so you mean that ‘고파,’ I guessed it right. [** back to story **] “First of all, heartfelt congratulations on
winning two awards [AAA]. I was touched by your heartfelt acceptance speeches
because they conveyed how you truly felt. When I am emotionally exhausted or
anxious, that anxiety magically goes away when I see you. For that, I am very
thankful. I was so touched by how caring of you to always stay connected with
your fans, and by how thoughtful of you to give us presents such as this
broadcast, something we can look forward to. When life gets tough, if there’s
something you can look forward, it makes your life worth living, doesn’t it?
Our dear actor, you always make my life worth living when it has ups and downs.
I respect you, I love you [** ‘은애하다’ is an old-fashioned way of saying ‘love you’ **] and I love you.
There is one thing that worries me,
though. It always worries me when you say you feel lonely and empty while alone
after finishing a project. I pray you won’t feel so lonely but somehow find
peace of mind even when you are alone, and that you get to meet a lot of good
people as your life goes on. My precious actor, I love you. And I always miss
you. The photos I want to show you are.” Oh, yes. (Laughs) “I was at the same
place as you, around the same time as you were there. I saw the same view as
you did here, and I leaned against the same balcony as you did.” [** JG pauses **] Yes, these are the photos.
Wow, yes. (Laughs) You went so far away as there? Wow, it’s so amazing. Isn’t
the view great there? [** back to story
**] I took these photos to remember this very moment, because of my favorite
scene from a drama and because the sunset at the time was so beautiful and I
felt like this was a present from you.” [** story
ends **] Yes. Wow, it’s so touching. I’m so deeply grateful. It really is
not easy to go all the way there. You really went all the way there. Yes, I was
there for the shooting of My Ear’s Candy. This place just automatically creates
a romance. It just happens. How should I put this, it is just like a piece of
painting, isn’t it? Just thinking that I was in the same space as you 고파, at the same place but at a
different time – it feels like another romance. Hmm. It’s the kind of place
that makes everything great. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
(136:35
~
Many of you worry about me because I
feel empty when I am alone after finishing a project. Actually, this year, a
lot of people – not just me – probably have felt the same way, and this year,
for me, that feeling is even greater especially because I have met you guys
through this drama Flower of Evil and then said goodbye to you after it ended.
It’s such a bummer. Because, once I have finished a project, I normally get
over that feeling of loneliness by preparing to meet with you guys. This year,
though, I cannot do that so I feel very sad, bummed out, and yes, a little depressed.
You can say it’s because of the Covid blues, but yes, I feel especially so sad
because I cannot meet you guys. I always miss you. Yes, I feel the same way. I
love you. I will send 고파 a gift as well. 고파, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 고파 [again, it can mean ‘hungry’] hungry, hungry, hungry. I think you
might be hungry now. So yes. Should I send you something like this? Would you
like it? I will send you Myungrang Hot Dog, Jumbo Hot Dog [kinds of Korean corndog] Woohoo. Are you hungry? Then grab a bite
of Jumbo Hot Dog. I will send you the Gifticon. Yes, that’s right. Thank you
from the bottom of my heart. (Laughs)
(137:51
~
Okay, I will read just one more
story to you. Nickname. (Laughs) The nickname is ‘한빛.’ [** fan
story begins **] “My brag starts with how I fell for the charms of actor
Lee Joon Gi back when I was still in puberty, in school. Following your first
fan meeting ‘Episode 1’ that took place at this gigantic, huge concert hall, I
attended every single one of your birthday parties organized by your fan café [Korean fan community site], as well as
all your annual fan meetings where you delighted and touched your fans with
your dancing and singing skills that were as polished as those of any idol musician.
Those are the things I want to brag about, and which are also my precious
memories. The file attachments represent those memories: the tickets,
autographed pieces of paper, and an autographed mug that was a birthday party
souvenir. I had kept the mug carefully in the package for 13 years before I
finally took it out this year and have used it since. Actually, the best thing
I want to brag about when it comes to actor Lee Joon Gi is your fans who are
just as energetic and passionate as you.” [** JG pauses **] Yes, this is about you guys. [** back to story **] “I also have precious bonds of mine that I formed
through Lee Joon Gi, Actor Lee, and we have met regularly for the past 10
years, despite the 20-year age (generational) gap. With you, Actor Lee, we are
all like teenage fan girls. Hehehe. I really wanted to brag about this group of
ours to you. Kekekeke. Dear Actor Lee, I am trying to live my best life, always
getting positive energy from actor Lee Joon Gi and thinking that I want to
become a great fan my great actor can be proud of. I don’t have the drawing or
writing skills to express how much I want to cheer you up, but I wanted to say
that I am always walking right beside actor Lee Joon Gi and right behind you
like your shadow. As much as you gave your fans strength, as much as you
delighted your fans, we also want to give just as much strength and delight to
you. As you continue to walk on – be it on a sunny day or a cloudy and rainy
day – please do not forget that you have your fans walking by your side, right
there to share an umbrella with you. I love you. I will always stay right here
by your side [** from the lyrics of ‘The
Giving Tree’ **] Yes, it’s from the song. [** JG sings the song **] I will always stay right here by your side.
Yes. Thank you.
(140:07
~
한빛 says she met precious friends
because of me. To everyone who has shared with me stories of these precious
bonds of theirs and stayed by my side, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Of course, with me, you guys are all teenage fan girls. With you, I am always a
teenage idol. (Laughs) That’s right, what good does it do to want to grow up?
[** JG has often said he wants to not
grow up/old spiritually but stay young **]
Yes. Today, though, I am acting very mature on this show now. You do
know, don’t you? Guys. I am trying very hard to hold it back. Because it’s
nighttime. I will be a different person when I go on the air in the morning.
(Laughs) [** JG in cheerful voice **]
Yes, this is DREAM presented by Lee Joon Gi. That’s how I would look, but right
now, it’s nighttime, so. [** JG in soft,
whispering voice **] I will stay soft and gentle. Yeah, the 20-year
generational gap, there is no such thing. Right this moment I am spending with
you guys is what is most precious. Each and every moment is really what is most
precious and valuable and what makes us happy. Everyone, let us stay united and
say 항.여.이.지. [** short form for ‘I will
always stay right here by your side,’ from the lyrics of ‘The Giving Tree’
**] I will always be here by my… Uh? Did I just say ‘by my side’? (Laughs) I
will always stay right here by your side. Yes, the comments say… “Fan meeting.
For Chinese family, too.” Oh, I am sorry. But earlier, I said “好久不见” [hǎo jiǔ bu jiàn; Chinese greeting, “long time no see”]. Yes. I
am always waiting to see my Chinese family again, as well. It seems like only
yesterday that I toured overseas and met with my fans, but now, it is so hard
to meet you. What’s happened to us? Yeah, but I haven’t been able to meet my
fans in Korea, either. So please don’t feel too bad about it. I haven’t
forgotten about you and never will. So let us pray for the day we will meet
again. Let us look forward to the day. Guys. There is nothing more important
than this: Until the day comes, put your health first. Yes. Yes, the comments
are now filled with “항여이지” [‘I will always stay right here by your side’]. [** JG sings the part from The Giving Tree
**] I will always stay right here by your side~ Yeah. (Laughs) I want to sing
like this.
(142:17
~
Everyone who has always stayed by my
side. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will pick a gift for you, 한빛. What should I pick for 한빛? What would you like? Yes. Hmm. I
would pick… (Laughs) I have this one ready for you so you won’t feel the
generational gap. I will send you the McDonald’s 1955 Burger Set. (Laughs)
Don’t feel the generational gap any more, do you? Yes, McDonald’s 1955 Burger
Set. I will send you the Gifticon. Congratulations. Aside from these, there are
so many stories from you. So many. Aigoo, guys. What’s going on here? It’s
12:26 a.m. (Laughs) I am so sorry. You guys should go to work tomorrow. Thank
you for staying with me. Right now, the writer keeps making plans for the next
broadcast, saying, “Let’s hear the rest of the stories on the next broadcast.”
Well, I wonder if that’s going to happen. We will see. Anyway, thank you from
the bottom of my heart to each and every one of you for sharing your very
precious memories, your personal stories filled with love. I think the stories
I read to you today represent the feelings of all my fans who are staying with
me right now. I am always grateful. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to
everyone who shared their stories. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for
staying with me right now. Yes. Now, what am I supposed to do? (Laughs) I am so
sad [to say goodbye] too. Then shall we take a look at a few more comments? “I
love you,” “I am not going to work tomorrow,” What do you mean, not going to
work? You must! “Thank you,” “Be a regular host,” “항여이지.” Yes, “On to the next segment.” Next segment.
(Laughs) Yes, some say they are looking forward to my next project. “Please
don’t go,” “Stay all night.” Yes, I’m looking forward to the day when we can
stay all night together.
(144:40
~
Guys, you have been watching Lee
Joon Gi’s DREAM in real time on Naver NOW. Now it is time to wrap up. Actually,
it is way past the time to wrap up. Yes. There are still so many stories you
sent me, and so many comments coming in now. I am feeling so much love. Also, I
lied to you earlier about Part 1 and Part 2, but we got so much love from you
guys and had a server crash right in the middle of it. Once again, I am truly
sorry about that. But personally, I was happy about it. (Laughs) Guys, how was
it spending time with me today? Yes. Did you love it? For me, I was so happy to
let you heart my voice right from here, in this great facility. In 2020, so
many things happened, and the Covid-19 crisis that has been so hard on you – is
still going on, right? I want to offer comfort to everyone who is hurting and
sharing this time with me – from those high school students who took the test
today, to those who are listening to this broadcast, and to those small
business owners. Better days will come. In places where evil grows, good
flowers still bloom. I think better days will come, the day when those flowers
bloom will definitely come. Yes. I am sending you all words of comfort and
encouragement as I am wrapping this up. Tomorrow another day will start. I hope
you have a great day. Tonight, I hope you have sweet dreams. Oh. Tomorrow, at
the same time, at 10 p.m. There will be a rerun. I was surprised; I thought
they told me to go on the air tomorrow at 10 p.m. again. (Laughs) Yes, so we
are going to have a rerun tomorrow at the same time, at 10 p.m. If any of you
missed out on today’s show, please keep that in mind and stay tuned tomorrow.
Today, I hope to comfort you by ending the show with these songs. I am going to
play, like, two songs. Mmm, personally, this is the song I keep listening to
these days. I will do my best to be an actor who can comfort you when you are
having trouble and exhausted. This song has lyrics that express it. From Lee
Juck, “Don’t Worry, Dear.” And praying for the day we will meet again, “For
us.” Today I am going to say goodbye with these two songs. Thank you for
staying with me. Let us always walk together. I will always stay right here, by
your side. Have a great night, guys. Sweet dreams. Good night.
(147:47
~
Song: “DON’T WORRY, DEAR” by Lee
Juck.
(151:36
~ end)
Song: “FOR US” by Lee Joon Gi.
[End].
![Lee Joon Gi’s interview with The Star magazine for the March, 2021 issueBlue Skies, Warm Breezes, Dazzling Jeju Island, and Our Heartthrob Lee
Joon Gi.Editor
| Eun-Young Kang (text), Suji Choi (editorial)Photographer
| Kyung-Jin Lee -One minute, he smiles brightly and
innocently like a ‘spring boy,’ and the next minute, he is back as that guy who
hides behind his enigmatic eyes. Following the conclusion of drama <Flower
of Evil>, actor Lee Joon Gi joined us on a photoshoot trip to Jeju Island. About
three months later, we met again for an interview. Here are the 18 questions we
asked him: -THE STAR Q. We’re curious what you’ve been
up to after our Jeju Island photoshoot.JG – It has already been about three months
since my trip to Jeju Island with <THE STAR>. Once again I realize how quickly
time goes by, and at the same time, I miss the time I spent with the <THE
STAR> photoshoot team – whom I always work with – and my staff in Jeju.
Following the Jeju Island photoshoot, I’ve been spending my time doing some
interviews relating to drama <Flower of Evil>, which received so much
love last year, and taking care of some personal stuff, all the while reading
lots of scripts. Because of Covid-19 that has been so hard on so many people
around the world, I try extremely hard not to go out but stay at home unless I
absolutely have to go out for things I need to get done. Q. What are the most memorable moments
during your Jeju Island photoshoot?JG – I hadn’t been to Jeju Island in about
10 years. It was so different from how I had remembered Jeju Island. It changed
a lot and became an even more mystical and beautiful place with an even more
pleasant environment. Throughout my trip to Jeju Island, I felt like I was
resting while working, so those three days felt so short. At times I felt like
working with you guys really healed my body and mind. I felt as though I had
returned to nature and became calm and poised. At other times, I felt like a
child again. During our visits to beautiful tourist spots to take photos, such
as Cheongsu Gotjawal Forest, when we found something new that we hadn’t
included in our plans, we would photograph it on the spot just to bring a
different feel to the photoshoot. When we suddenly had this idea that we wanted
to capture all the riches of nature that might await us beyond that high hill,
then we wouldn’t hesitate to climb that hill. We also ran along with horses
galloping around, surrounded by that scenery of Mother Nature. When it occurred to us that a place like Yongnuni
Oreum Volcanic Cone would be a great photoshoot spot, then we would actually
climb it all the way to the top. I remember all the staff who came along were
sweating buckets on the way up. (laughs) We also visited Suwolbong Peak, Socheonji,
and other beaches to see all sorts of rock formations and stuff that are the
blessings of nature. I think we were so engrossed seeking out every single
place we could go, taking it all in, and capturing the refreshing, free vibes that
place gave off as well as ‘Lee Joon Gi’ being in there. It’s such a shame that
our trip was too short for us to get all those beautiful riches of Jeju Island
in the photos. I would love to introduce to my beloved fans more about Jeju
Island that has the most beautiful views and the greatest history in Korea if I
get the opportunity to do so. I think you would have the happiest time there if
you go with your loved ones. I want to visit there more often for travel when I
have free time.Q. In 2020, you received so much love for
<Flower of Evil>. What project are you working on this year?JG – I am incredibly grateful to have
received so much love and more praise than I deserved last year. I hadn’t done
a project that had so much depth, gravitas, and humanity to it in a long time.
So right now, I am having a very hard time choosing my next project. (laughs)
Maybe because the drama left such a lasting impression on me. Anyway, I am
carefully reading good scipts that came my way and taking a long, hard look at
them. I am also very curious what project I will be coming back with.
Personally, though, I think a lot about doing a project that has popular
appeal, which can entertain and touch a wider audience. I want to do a
melodrama; I also want to take on a historical drama or a period drama I
haven’t done in a while. I have no idea what project I will be returning with,
but I will choose a project that can give people comfort, hope, and
entertainment with a good story and a message. So please continue to support me
and wait a little longer. I will try not to take too long thinking over it
[next project].Q. There are still a lot of people falling
in love with Lee Joon Gi’s performance catching up with <Flower of Evil>.
Is there any comment you find most memorable?JG – As an actor, the best compliment I can
get is when viewers say they feel the changes in my character’s psychological
state and emotion along with the character and that they believe the character really
does exist. I think I received a lot of compliments like that [for Flower of
Evil]. I am so incredibly thankful that I can’t pick just one comment. You
know, I love watching those reaction videos to <Flower of Evil> on
YouTube, the comments that came with them, and real-time comments. Actually,
when my drama airs, I will watch each episode just as any other viewer does – totally
engrossed, not just in the scenes I performed, but throughout the whole drama.
(laughs) So I laugh and cry along with my fans and viewers, sharing those
reactions with them. Of course, another benefit I get from this is that I can
analyze each and every situation [depicted in the drama]. When I share those
emotions with viewers, I feel a great sense of accomplishment. Those are the
truly happy moments I get as an actor… From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
And now, I should start looking for new things that I can use to give a better
performance. Q. A few days ago we celebrated Seollal (Korea’s
national holiday for New Year’s Day). What did you do during the holidays?JG – Because of Covid-19, I spent this
year’s Seollal at home with my parents and my little sister, having little
conversations, just as we did on the first day of the year. We exchanged New
Year’s greetings with our relatives over the phone. I don’t think it was just
me, but I believe many people did just the same to keep one another healthy and
safe. The Covid-19 crisis has brought suffering to so many people around the
world and I pray it ends as soon as possible and things improve so we get to
see our loved ones face-to-face more often.Q. Covid-19 has made us spend more time at
home. Do you have any tips for using time wisely during your stay at home?JG – Well, I am not so different from you
guys, really. I just do not go out unless I really absolutely have to for things
I need to get done. There is nothing I can do other than strictly adhering to
the safety measures. I love hanging out and chatting with people, but now I
can’t even think of doing that. I think that’s why I do everything that I can
do at home. I do simple at-home workouts, watch all sorts of movies, old and
new, and study English and just anything that I can do at home, little by
little. I also cook. Right, the other day, I got a physical exam along with my
family to check my health. I was worried because I hadn’t done that in a while,
but fortunately, the exam results were good. I say jokingly to myself, “I am
hibernating now,” so I can stay positive. I even have funny thoughts like, ‘If
I have enough rest when I can, that will keep the cells in my body healthy and
help them grow, won’t it?’ I think that [kind of thought] helps me get better
skin. (laughs) It is not just me, but there are so many people suffering due to
this crisis. I hope that Covid-19 ends and our lives return to normal as soon
as possible, bringing smiles back to everyone.
Q. When do you particularly feel that the
long winter has passed and spring is on the way?JG – Actually I don’t feel the change in
temperature because I stay at home all the time. But when I do go out because I
have a [work] schedule to take care of, I will feel the clear and warm sun and
think, ‘Ah, I guess new, spring days are coming.’ Recently, I felt the seasons
changing when I was spring-cleaning my closet. This year, I don’t think I am
going to greet warm spring days directly, but I think spring days next year
will be very cozy and warm, don’t you think? I will pray you guys all get to
have happy spring days.Q. What would your spring bucket list be
like?JG – My bucket list for the spring… Before
Covid-19, I wasn’t really interested in traveling. I worried that traveling
alone would make me feel even lonelier. Those times when I travelled to meet my
fans were actually the happy trips for me. But now that I cannot do any of
them, I started missing people and wanting to see and feel more of the world
freely. Someday, when the situation improves, I want to take my own trips.
These days, I really think a lot about that kind of stuff. Also, I dream of
reuniting with you guys.Q. What makes Lee Joon Gi happy these days?JG – There hasn’t really been anything so
special that made me happy, because I am pretty much living in isolation these
days. Most recently, though, I created a good project and brought it to a
successful conclusion by working with my co-stars, seonbae (senior) and hubae
(junior) actors, and the production team—and that was great happiness for me.
Despite the tough times, everyone worked so very hard to keep one another safe
and bring this good project to a successful conclusion. Feeling a sense of
accomplishment together with those people is probably the greatest happiness. Also,
I think times like this has given me the opportunity to rediscover happiness in
everyday life, which was once peaceful and which I took for granted. I often
have thoughts like, ‘Ah, right, I spent such happy times with so many people,’ ‘There
were so many people who made me happy.’ I will treasure these feelings I’m
having right now and keep them neatly stacked [in my mind]. Hopefully, when the
day comes that we can have warm spring days back, I will be ‘Happy Person Lee
Joon Gi’ who can bring even more positive energy to you.Q. Do you ever feel depressed or sad?JG – Sure, sometimes I feel blue rather than
sad. However, in this situation, I am not the only person having this problem.
Lots of people are working hard to get through this situation wisely. I also
try my best not to let that depression consume me. I get energy from other people
as well, so I think I feel a longing for such things: I want to see them, meet
them, and talk to them. So I do get lonely and depressed thinking about those
things. Fortunately, though, it was only a while ago that I finished my drama
<Flower of Evil>. I felt a great sense of accomplishment on the set, and
I met and worked with all kinds of good people there. Right now, I am trying to
get through this time, thinking that the time will come soon that I can get
back to the set and work with many people again – all the while I am thinking
about and waiting for the day that we get to meet face to face.Q. You reached out to your fans through ‘Naver
NOW’ a while ago.JG – I thought, of all the ways I can reach
out to my fans, it was the best way to go. Personally, I love this medium –
radio – so much. Because it allows me to communicate with my fans in real time.
Of course, I am such a “too much talker” who talks on and on about myself.
(laughs) The [Naver] radio staff already knew that about me and kept the later
time slot open for me, so it ended up being a very long broadcast. Everyone was
surprised. They asked me if I wasn’t tired. On the contrary, it was me who
apologized to the staff. Because I worried they got off work late because of
me. (laughs) I mean I had such a happy time that I didn’t even notice how fast
it went by. Also, we had a server crash because of the enthusiastic support from
you guys, and that is also a great memory. Having spent that time, I started
missing you guys even more and felt truly grateful to receive so much love
endlessly. I also liked communicating directly with you, which is one of the great
benefits of being on radio. I want to make more occasions like that happen now
and then. Because I miss you guys, too, just as you miss me.Q. Is there any other new area you want to explore?JG – Personally, I love watching variety
shows and when I actually do go on [one of those shows], I tend to enjoy it so
much that I even get carried away. But at the same time, because I get excited
and enjoy myself so much, it is so embarrassing watching myself on that space
[variety show]. (laughs) Instead of exploring a new area, I want to work on a
project that has a story in a new genre and reach audiences from different
parts of the world.Q. These days, efforts are being made to
revive Cyworld Minihompy (Mini-Hompage) [**former Korean social media platform
once popular in the 2000s**]. Is there any memory you definitely want to bring
back from your Mini-Homepage?JG – On my previous Mini-Homepage, I used
to have my own photo albums where I saved fan artworks and pictures my fans put
so much work into creating, as well as the videos and photos they took of me.
So if I could bring anything back, I would love to see those memories tucked
away in those photo albums. Those were our [JG and his fans’] own places and I
miss them so much. Also, in the past, I used to interact with my fans in the
comments [on his Cyworld page], so I want to bring back those talks we used to
share at the time. The Mini-Homepage was really such a precious means of communication
for us. I was told that it might be
brought back to life. If everything gets restored, I definitely want to bring
those old memories back and talk about them with my fans.Q. You are a jiu jitsu enthusiast. I assume
you couldn’t really practice it last year. Then what did you spend all your
energy on?JG – In fact, it’s been over half a year
since I took a break from jiu jitsu. I am so sad. (laughs) Of course it was
Covid-19 that impacted this, but I also felt a sense of responsibility that I
had to avoid injury. So I had to be careful, taking every single possibility
[of injury] into consideration. But I really have this strong desire to get
back to jiu jitsu, so I want to start it again when the Covid-19 situation improves.
Until then, I am trying to stay fit by doing at-home workouts. I hope the day
comes soon that I can work out again, sweating and getting all active, and now
I am waiting for that day.Q. Taking care of your mental health is important,
particularly in these times. Do you have your own mantra that you use to get
through tough times?JG – It is not easy to take care of your
mental health, particularly in these times. I am not always a positive person, either.
Sometimes I get pessimistic and critical. But every time I do, I will reflect
on the things that helped me get this far, everything that helped open up
possibilities that I’d had in me, and remind myself of the values I hold dear. Then
I’ll say to myself, ‘I’ve been constantly on the run until now, so I am going to
let myself find a way to rest,’ and ‘I need to value myself.’ That’s the sort
of mantra I say to myself. Of course, it does not always work, but I always try
my best. Personally, I get more positive energy and motivation when I get back
on the set. So hopefully, I will soon get to work in a great environment and
learn new ways to take control of my mind in it.Q. Of the movies, dramas, or variety shows you’ve
recently watched, was there anything that impressed you?JG – Because of the Covid-19 situation, I
also started spending more time watching international productions through a variety
of platforms. While drinking cold beer. (laughs) Instead of choosing just one
thing, I want to say that, in my opinion, the quality of Korean productions,
which aim to reach out to global audiences on those platforms, is now
remarkably high. I guess their [such Korean productions] greatest appeal is
that they receive really high ratings abroad and resonate with audiences of
different cultures. I am also looking forward to having the opportunity to
reach out to audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds. I will do my best to
come back with a project [tha can be helpful in that regard]. Q. Is there any type of character you haven’t
played but want to try?JG – I want to play a character in a drama
or melodrama that deals with warm humanity, who speaks to us living in this age
where people easily become hostile towards others. Or, I would love to do a
Sci-Fi project or an action project that is really fun and exhilarating, has a
meaningful message to give, and visually entertaining. Whatever the project
will be, I always want the same thing: that I want to be in a refreshing story that
will help me spread my wings and soar.Q. Lastly, what are your plans for this year,
and is there anything you want to say to your fans?JG – I think we are all struggling hard to
get through these really hard times. And yet, the hardest part of all this is
that we cannot continue to do things we value—which made us happy in everyday
life but which we took for granted. One of those things is, of course, meetings
with you guys, my fans. This year, I want to bring you greater happiness
through a good project, and my biggest wish is for us to reunite and party
together again. Until that day comes, please take care of your health. I pray
the day comes soon that we reunite, looking cheerful and healthy. From the
bottom of my heart, I thank you all for always sending me unwavering support
and love, and I will try my best to repay for the love and support. As always,
I miss you, and I love you. End. #lee joon gi #이준기 #the star magazine #더 스타#jeju#제주](https://64.media.tumblr.com/4cf57c9292f6e28bbb57ea4ccce28387/a567afad2f8c2da1-fc/s500x750/072d79d7759013252ecf9366a552cea4cd94ade1.jpg)
![Lee Joon Gi: “The time to set out to meet my
fans is a happy journey for me”(https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=469&aid=0000583658)Actor Lee
Joon Gi’s refreshing cover pictorial catches our attention.In the
unveiled pictorial of the March issue of The Star magazine, under the theme ‘LEE
JOON GI IN JEJU ISLAND,’ Lee Joon Gi shows off his gorgeous visuals that match
the spring mood.In the
released photos, Lee Joon Gi shows various sides of him in Jeju Island, such as
walking around in a modern hotel or posing with a horse. On the photoshoot set,
in particular, he boasted his outstanding horseback riding skills, even though
he hadn’t ridden a horse in four to five years.In the
interview that followed the photoshoot, Lee Joon Gi shared his thoughts on shooting
in Jeju: “It’d been about 10 years since I last had been to Jeju, and it looked
so new. I think it’s become even more mysterious and beautiful. I felt like I
was working and resting at the same time.” Lee Joon
Gi received so much praise and love for his performance in last year’s drama ‘Flower
of Evil.’ On his next project, he says humbly: “I was so grateful that I
received so much love and more praise than I deserve through ‘Flower of Evil.’ It’s
left such lingering feelings because I feel like I presented a drama that has
such depth, gravitas, and warm human love as I hadn’t in a long while.” “[Currently]
I am carefully reading good scripts and giving them a lot of thoughts. I have
no idea which project I will come back with, but I think it should have a good
story and good message that can offer many people comfort, hope, and
entertainment. Please wait a little longer.”Asked about
his spring wish list following the winter, he gives an honest answer: “Actually,
I wasn’t really interested in travelling before Covid-19 broke out. I worried
that I would feel even lonelier if I travelled alone, and the time to set out
to meet my fans in and of itself was a happy journey for me. But as there are
so many things I cannot do now, I’ve started missing people and feeling like I
want to see and feel more of the world freely. Someday, when the situation
settles down, I want to set out on a journey of my own.”Asked
about his own magic words he reminds himself of whenever he’s up against
difficulties, he says, “I ruminate on everything that has made me come this far
and that has helped open up all the possibilities I’ve had, and then I remind
myself of important values I find around me. Then I say such magic words as, ‘I should value
myself.’”Lastly, he
sends a message to his fans: “I think we are all struggling so hard to get through
these really difficult times. One of the hardest parts of this is that I cannot
meet my fans. This year, I want to present even greater happiness to you
through a good project. I want to reunite with you and have fun with you again.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank
everyone for sending me unchanging support and love.”Check out
the March issue of The Star for the refreshing Jeju pictorial and interview of
actor Lee Joon Gi. #lee joon gi #이준기#the star#jeju island#더스타](https://64.media.tumblr.com/b5adc396e1535d92585e30b92d66a944/aa2208ab883c899c-07/s500x750/802850360b5acbeb79bb49e190ab91ac5f846c83.jpg)
![Lee Joon Gi graces the cover of Chinese
fashion magazine … Unparalleled influence on hallyu (2021.02.19)(https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=009&aid=0004751581)Actor
Lee Joon Gi fascinates with some extraordinary photos.Lee
Joon Gi graced the cover of the February issue of Chinese fashion magazine ‘SENSE.’
With him named the New Year Personality of 2021,’ the pictorial has caught the
attention of many hallyu fans upon its release, demonstrating Lee Joon Gi’s
indomitable influence on hallyu.The
pictorial shot on 3D also shows different sides of Lee Joon Gi. First, the
photo of him blending into powerful red lighting shows his overwhelming
presence. Lee Joon Gi’s constant handsomeness despite the shaking [of the
camera] and his aura that no one can copy literally hold our attention.In
the photo where Lee Joon Gi is relaxing while leaning against a tea cup, his
quintessentially Asian vibes attract our attention. Here he represents a
harmonious blend of modernity and past, exuding mysterious beauty and making us
think that we have stepped into some fantasy world. In the third photo showing
his profile, he shows off his sharp facial features, making it look like a
movie poster.Saying
hello to fans through the pictorial, Lee Joon Gi continues to talk about his
next project in the interview that followed. “In the next project, I want to
show a different and even better version of myself. I am hard at work reading
the scripts and reviewing them so I can do a project that feels like my destiny.”
Asked what genre he wants to try, he said, “I’d like to do a melodrama that my
fans love to see me in the most. I also want to do an action or historical
drama I haven’t done in a while. I am keeping an open mind to many
possibilities, so please look forward to what project I am bringing to you in
2021.” His answer makes us look forward to his next step.Last
year, actor Lee Joon Gi received a lot of love through drama ‘Flower of Evil’
and continues to be an indomitable ‘hallyu’ influence. With so much attention
being paid to him around the world, he makes us wonder how he will entertain
and touch us in 2021. #lee joon gi #이준기 #lee jun ki #flower of evil #sense#악의꽃](https://64.media.tumblr.com/048442a1cd60e4353cd4c0be7b79b83d/fc543087feb098a7-6a/s500x750/b84974fb45f3b21afb97dd72d33e2c0ef98a1eb2.jpg)
![Lee Joon Gi’s interview with StarNews (2021/01/18) - same as previous interview (2021/01/11)
(read the full interview translation here : https://allaboutjoongi.tumblr.com/post/639997584665100288/eng-translation-starnews-exclusive-interview)except the following:[Exclusive] Lee Joon Gi: “In 2021, I want to come back soon with a new project”(source - https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002925579)Actor Lee Joon Gi demonstrated his presence as a “star actor” by winning two awards at the 2020 Asia Artist Awards last year. Last November, at the 2020 AAA, Lee Joon Gi won the Best Artist Award and the Asia Celebrity Award in the acting category. In tvN drama ‘Flower of Evil,’ which ended last September, the actor played Do Hyun Soo who’s lived as Baek Hee Seong, performing two characters in one role and garnering acclaim from viewers. Having returned to the small screen after a two-year hiatus, Lee Joon Gi ended the year of 2020 on a high note by being honored with the awards at the 2020 AAA. All this has made us want to see him back as soon as possible. Q. Is there anything you didn’t get to say during your acceptance speech?JG – During the acceptance speech I didn’t have enough time to thank everyone properly and it’s been on my mind ever since. ‘Flower of Evil’ received so much love and turned out so well because of the hard work so many people put in.From those staff members who worked so hard to get the best possible outcome even though they had to wear masks constantly at work, and for long periods of time, due to Covid-19; to director Kim Chul Gyu, who guided me in the right direction so I could give a great performance; to writer Yoo Jung Hee who crafted such a great script from start to finish; and to all my peers, juniors, and seniors from whom I learned a lot and who made me feel a lot of things: I worked with truly great, amazing people who made this such an enjoyable experience, and we made precious memories together.Ultimately, we wouldn’t have been able to make it without those viewers who laughed and felt pain along with us watching ‘Flower of Evil.’ Really, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who stayed with us from start to finish. Because of you, I will remember 2020 as a year filled with happiness and gratitude.Q. You have delivered a great performance in Flower of Evil last year. What are your plans for 2021?JG – I want to come back with a new project as soon as possible. Since ‘Flower of Evil’ received so much love, I am now feeling more pressure in choosing my next project. But I want to make my choice more carefully so my next project can be a great present for you. #lee joon gi #lee joongi #lee jun ki #flower of evil #이준기#악의꽃](https://64.media.tumblr.com/d2fd66db35369f981d7e7454c18b5d22/054a466091921901-93/s500x750/ec2a91f03326a9eee26211d11b0a7ddba82488f1.jpg)
![(ENG translation) StarNews’ Exclusive Interview with Lee Joon
Gi, winner of the Best Artist Award and the Asia Celebrity Award in the Acting
category at the 2020 Asia Artist Awards (2021/01/11)-part 1(https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2021011020591462821)2020
was certainly a meaningful year for this actor, who won two awards at the 2020
Asia Artist Awards (“2020 AAA”) and made us look forward to the next step he’s
going to take in 2021. That actor is none other than Lee Joon Gi.At
the 2020 AAA held last November, Lee Joon Gi won the Best Artist Award and the
Asia Celebrity Award in the acting category. He
made a small-screen comeback after two years with tvN drama Flower of Evil,
which aired last July, and went on to become a double award winner at the 2020
AAA, leaving us all wowed: “Of course! [**an expression used to say he lived up to his name**]”In
Flower of Evil, Lee Joon Gi plays Do Hyun Soo who lives as Baek Hee Seong, so
that’s basically two characters in one role. Lee turned in a spine-chilling
performance that took viewers by surprise, and the viewers were mesmerized by
it. That’s probably why Lee gave Flower of Evil a special place when asked what
winning the 2020 AAA awards meant to him:“For
me, ‘Flower of Evil’ was a truly meaningful project. We started filming in the
spring of 2020 and continued to work until early winter, so we worked together for about
a year. Winning the awards at the 2020 AAA made 2020 an even more meaningful
year especially after I spent it working on ‘Flower of Evil.’ This is all
because of those viewers and fans who showed love and support for ‘Flower
of Evil.’ So thank you from the bottom of my heart.”This
is his second time winning at the AAA following the 2017 awards. The AAAs hold
a special meaning for him.“I
am always grateful for the memories I have of the AAAs, not just this year but
also 3 years ago (laughs). In particular, I am very well aware that I was
honored with these awards because of my fans who showed me their unchanging
love and support, so my heart is always full of gratitude, then as well as now.
However, unlike 3 years ago, this year I could not meet my fans due to
Covid-19. I sincerely hope and pray that Covid-19 ends as soon as possible so
the next awards will be a festival where everyone gets to laugh and have fun
together.”Following
Lee Joon Gi’s wins, international fans, as well as his Korean fans, left him
messages of congratulations on his SNS account. He expressed his gratitude to
his fans for showing him their unwavering support and love."I
think I got these great results because of my fans who always cheer me on and send
me love. This year must have been harder on them than any other year, yet they still
did not forget to cheer me on and send me lots of love. So thank you from the
bottom of my heart. Thanks to the support you gave me, I was able to cheer up
and run this race till the very end. I hope you take good care of your health,
and I am cheering you all on and wish you a year filled with happiness and joy
in 2021. I will also work hard to show you a greater, better version of myself.
Thank you.”Lee
Joon Gi is now the double award winner at the 2020 AAA. He confided that ‘Flower
of Evil’ is such a special project for him because it put him where he is right
now."To
me, ‘Flower of Evil’ was a project that truly felt like a ‘gift’. It was my
small-screen comeback project after two years, so I was constantly under
pressure and worried so much, from the moment I chose to do this project and
throughout the shoot. In fact, from the moment I received the script, the
biggest thought in my head was ‘this is so difficult,’ and the project particularly
made me worry a lot and wonder if I could do a good job. But now that I
finished it all, looking back, I think those worries and those moments came
together and brought into my life a time that feels like a gift. It was
definitely the case when I was shooting, but even now, after finishing it, when
I look back on that time, it is just filled with fun and happy memories.”Lee
Joon Gi also confided that the cast and the production crew he worked with on
Flower of Evil also congratulated him on his wins at the 2020 AAA. He added
that he regarded those awards as the honors he received along with those he’d
worked together on the drama.”(Following
my wins at the 2020 AAA) everyone called me to offer their sincere congratulations.
In the end, I think these awards are the honors I received along with all the
actors and production crew who worked so hard together. So when we spoke to
one another I remember saying thank you back to those I worked with.”-part 2[Exclusive] Lee Joon Gi: “I worried so much
I would end up playing a parody of myself in Flower of Evil’StarNews’ Exclusive Interview with Lee Joon
Gi, winner of the Best Artist Award and the Asia Celebrity Award in the Acting
category at the 2020 Asia Artist Awards(https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2021011020592008578)In ‘Flower
of Evil,’ Lee Joon Gi practically plays two characters in one role, in every
aspect – from facial expressions to emotions, and to action performances. His
portrayal of Do Hyun Soo, wrongly accused of murder, who lives as killer Baek
Hee Seong, left an indelible impression on viewers. But Lee Joon Gi himself had
difficulty playing this role who has polar opposites in him.“Since
Do Hyun Soo and Baek Hee Seong have completely different vibes to them, I
had to think long and hard about how to play them. Plus, Do Hyun Soo is incapable of
feeling emotions, so I had difficulty expressing this character on-screen. That’s
why I paid particularly more attention to the reactions this character shows in
his interactions with other various characters. Precisely because he is
incapable of feeling, I thought every single reaction that comes from every
tiny expression could be powerful and make the character more believable. So
before the shoot began, I spent time with the director and the other actors
exchanging ideas and tried hard not to miss any details.”In Flower
of Evil, Lee Joon Gi showed a mysterious but oddly attractive side of him as
well: that is, his portrayal of a ‘father,’ which drew a positive response from
viewers. Lee Joon Gi shared the behind-the-scenes story about this performance.
"I
think the scenes I shared with my daughter Eun Ha (Jung Seo Yeon) really
reflect a lot of my real-life self. In fact, on the days we had a shoot
together, I remember deliberately showing up to work early to hang out with Seo
Yeon so I could get closer to her. During the shoot, the director also left it
all up to me when it came to the scenes of Hee Seong and Eun Ha. I guess that
is probably why those scenes show more natural sides of us.”Lee
Joon Gi also told us about what kind of ‘father’ he thinks he should be.“I
dream of having a warm and happy family just like Baek Hee Seong’s, and I also
want to become a good husband and good father. Working on Flower of Evil
particularly made me think more about this, and the staff members I worked with
saw me like this and told me, ‘I think you are going to have a really good life
when married.’ I think when I become a father, I would look pretty much like
what I looked like in Flower of Evil.”Lee
Joon Gi also heaped praises on Moon Chae Won and Kim Ji Hun he worked with and
who helped make Flower of Evil a well-made drama.“It
always has been the case with every other project I worked on, but Flower of
Evil particularly had a great ensemble cast. This was my second time working
with Moon Chae Won, and she is the type of actor who is very detail-oriented
and great at staying focused, so we helped each other a lot. I think I
could make those emotions in Do Hyun Soo feel more desperate because of Cha
Ji Won as performed by Chae Won. It was my first time working with Kim Ji Hun,
but we have known each other for such a long time, so I was actually very
excited about acting with him. The tension and impact Ji Hun delivered in Flower
of Evil was so great that he left me feeling overwhelmed and thrilled. On top
of that, we were very similar in our work style, so those times we spent together
thinking over and discussing how to create great scenes left me such great
memories.”In
addition to Moon Chae Won and Kim Ji Hun, Lee Joon Gi also talked about working
with Seo Hyun Woo and Jang Hee Jin, which he described as “awe-inspiring and
stimulating.”“It
was so amazing working with Seo Hyun Woo as well. I had already been told he was a
great actor, but when I actually got to act alongside him, he even surpassed my
expectations. I think Seo Hyun Woo made a significant contribution to that
early impactful scene where Do Hyun Soo’s true identity is revealed. I am so
truly grateful to him and I want to work with him often on projects I’ll be doing in the future.It
was also my second time working with Jang Hee Jin. As soon as I heard Hee Jin
had been cast in the role Do Hae Soo, I thought, ‘There we go!’ I mean that’s how much I trusted and relied on her. Normally, she is a cheerful and positive
person, but when the shoot begins, she instantly gets into character and shows
an entirely different side of her. Working with her on Flower of Evil, I found
her a great inspiration and thanks to her, we had a great chemistry.” In
Flower of Evil, Lee Joon Gi made us say, “Of course, that’s Lee Joon Gi,”
leaving us in awe. In every project he was in, he gave such an impressive
performance. In Flower of Evil, he wanted to show a side of him that people had
not seen before."Each
time I work on a new project, I constantly think about what I should do to show
people a new side of me. The thing that worried me the most while preparing for
Flower of Evil was what if I ended up playing a parody of myself. But the more
I read the script, the more I thought up images in my head that were completely
new, unique, and different from the roles I had played before. Imagining such
things was such an appealing part of the process. Then, when developing those
two characters – Do Hyun Soo and Baek Hee Seong, I worked hard to set my
character apart in terms of various details so that it would be a completely new
character people had never seen before.”-part 3[Exclusive] Lee Joon Gi: “I’m sending you
cheers and pray we get to return to normal in 2021” StarNews’ Exclusive Interview with Lee Joon
Gi, winner of the Best Artist Award and the Asia Celebrity Award in the Acting
category at the 2020 Asia Artist Awards (https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2021011020592664742)In
Flower of Evil, Lee Joon Gi gave a powerful performance shifting between good
and evil. For each project he is in, he creates a character that only Lee Joon
Gi can do. With expectations mounting for his next project, people wonder what
kind of role the actor himself wants to play."I
am still thinking hard about how to show a ‘new’ side of me in my next project.
I want to show fans a melodramatic side of me that they want to see in me; I
also want to go the action route all the way. Or, if I am given an opportunity
then I want to come back with a historical drama after a long while. For now, I
am keeping an open mind for a lot of possibilities.”Lee
Joon Gi’s work has spanned various genres, from drama, film, to romance, and to
thriller. But there is this one specific genre he wants to try:"I
did a melodrama in Flower of Evil, but it is a ‘suspense melodrama,’ so I don’t
think it had as many melodramatic scenes as I’d thought it would, which I
regretted a little (laughs). So if I get an opportunity I want to try a real
classic melodrama.”So
Lee Joon Gi wants to try a real classic melodrama. Asked what he wants to show
in the future, he talked about “touching hearts”:"I
want to be an actor who can help people heal through my work; an actor who
works consistently and diligently for a long time and can touch hearts like it’s
a gift [for people]. When it comes to the character and the genre, I want
people to see me taking on various kinds of challenges, instead of having a
certain set of criteria. One of the things I consider most important when choosing
a project is ‘human love.’ I want to comfort and touch people by giving a
performance rich in emotions like that.”2020
was a year that saw him in Flower of Evil and at the 2020 AAA winning awards.
It is now last year, but he described 2020 as a “year I will not forget forever.”"It
was a year that was very hard but made me feel grateful and happy. I think, for
many people, 2020 will be remembered as a hard year [due to Covid-19]. However,
even amid a global crisis like this, I am so grateful that I met this drama ‘Flower
of Evil’ and got to spend almost all of the four seasons on the set. So many
things changed on set due to Covid-19, but we had good people coming together
and doing their best to stay safe. Because of them, we could finish it safely
without problems, for which I am grateful. I was very happy I got to comfort
viewers through this drama this past year that was so hard on us, and I was
also deeply touched by the viewers. 2020 was truly a year I will not forget
forever.”Now
2020 is gone, and the new year has begun. Welcoming 2021, Lee Joon Gi sent a
New Year’s message to the readers of StarNews:"It
feels like just a short while ago that I said hello to you through Flower of
Evil last year, but the new year has already begun. Because of the big love and
support you sent me last year, 2020 was such an unforgettable year. Thank you
from the bottom of my heart. Most of us are still in difficult times due to
Covid-19, but I’m sending you cheers and sincerely pray that we get to return
to normal in 2021 as soon as possible. As an actor, I will also work hard to entertain
and touch you with a better project and character. Please always take care of
your health, and happy new year! Thank you.”-End. #lee joon gi #이준기 #flower of evil #악의 꽃#악의꽃#kdrama#korean drama](https://64.media.tumblr.com/6af063561f91eac58d526c83169e7e11/61a2500ac08fbf28-f7/s500x750/4a8c7fd61200a08324d8e35a5efacae11a70064a.jpg)
![Lee
Joon Gi: “I feel a sense of achievement when I can help people heal as an actor”
[Star’s Photoshoot]
(2021.01.04)
(https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000381071) Lee
Joon Gi graces the beginning of the new year of 2021 with glitter.Lee
Joon Gi’s cover for the January issue of Chinese fashion magazine “WAVES 漫潮” has been released.Last
year, he heated up the small screen and made a successful comeback after two
years’ hiatus with drama ‘Flower of Evil,’ where his top-notch performance and
dazzling visuals drew acclaim. His spine-chilling turn as a two-faced character
and heartbreaking melodramatic performance were both touching and entertaining.
This gift from Lee Joon Gi captivated fans not just in Korea but also across
Asia, Europe, and even the U.S., demonstrating his indomitable global impact. The news
of Lee Joon Gi’s gracing the cover of the Chinese fashion magazine’s first
issue of 2021 has attracted the attention of many fans, raising our
expectations for the next step he will take as a hallyu star this year.The
January issue of “WAVES 漫潮” contains Lee Joon GI’s indescribably
charming photos and his honest interview. It offers a glimpse of his thoughts
as he never stops thinking hard about how to show people a better version of
himself as an actor.Following
‘Flower of Evil,’ he got many people curious about his next project. To that he
answered, “I am carefully considering several offers. I am thinking hard about what
I can do to show a new side of me in my next project.” Asked
what he considers the most important as an actor, he reveals his earnest
devotion to acting: “I think the best part of being a professional actor is
when I get to help people heal. That is when this job of acting feels most
rewarding and I feel the greatest sense of achievement. I will continue to work
hard and become an actor that does not miss even a tiny thing.” #lee joon gi #이준기#waves #flower of evil #악의 꽃#악의꽃](https://64.media.tumblr.com/e18b8912e44ba2913f07a058d58ce1fd/50037c6bb9d24e18-3c/s500x750/79f2ad4535cb07a1dea38fbb987283aa79b4d757.jpg)
![Lee Joon Gi’s interview with Marisol (2021/01/01)(source –
https://marisol.hpplus.jp/article/63336/01/)Q. Can you tell us about the role you play in
Flower of Evil, Baek Hee Seong?JG – I play Do Hyun Soo who lives as Baek Hee
Seong. In the past 14 years, he has concealed his cruel past, lived under a false
identity, made a family of his own to live a new life, deceived his loving wife,
and pretended to love her. I was hoping that you (viewers) would also feel all
kinds of emotions while watching Do Hyun Soo’s story, such as tension and
thrill, throughout all the 16 episodes. That is what I focused on when I played
this role.Q. Why did you choose to star in this drama?JG – It was not an easy decision to make.
Because initially I thought I was not suited for this character, and that in depicting
this character’s story – whether in real life or in terms of my acting career –
I was probably too young to play such a character with so much depth. (Laughs)
So I thought long and hard about it and felt under a lot of pressure. Of
course, it was the director and the production team who offered me the role first,
but I really thought very hard about it. Many people around me tried to persuade
me to take it, saying that it would be a new challenge for me and another
turning point in my acting career. Moon Chae Won also suggested I do it,
cheering me on: That this character, Do Hyun Soo, was the center of this drama,
and it might be difficult to play; but this was a role that Lee Joon Gi could do,
and it would be an opportunity for me to broaden my range as an actor. Since so
many people around me said things like that to me, I thought very hard about
those things, read the script over and over, and studied it for a long time. Then
it occurred to me that this was a very unique drama and it was so amazing how it had two
conflicting values – thriller and romance – in it. So I thought, ‘This is a
challenge and it will help me grow further.’ I consider this a challenge I took
on in my career as an actor. It was a challenge rather than a choice.Q. Of the scenes and lines you performed, can
you tell us about one that you find particularly memorable?JG – Each and every scene was not easy as they
all lead to the story that comes later. It is very difficult to choose one
particular scene. Each episode has some great scenes. All of those scenes were
necessary to trace the life of Do Hyun Soo. However, if I had to choose one, it
would be the scene where the emotions of Do Hyun Soo, who cannot feel anything,
are released for the first time. I worried a lot about how to express that kind
of emotional release, which comes from the desperation of not wanting to lose
what he values most when he is forced into this extreme situation. I thought, if
not done properly, that scene would not be convincing. I also thought, to viewers,
that emotional release might seem so sudden especially after following so closely the emotions and situations of Do Hyun Soo all along. It could have made all the relationships [Hyun Soo has with other characters] fall to pieces, throw
the drama off balance, and even cause what Do Hyun Soo pictured [in his mind] to fall
apart. In that sense, the scene where Hyunsoo bursts out crying for the first
time in front of Jiwon was very difficult, but I think many viewers also felt
his sadness and found it heartbreaking. This is a scene where Hyunsoo lets out
all the emotions he’s feeling in front of Jiwon, and it is precisely because of
this scene that Jiwon once again begins to trust Do Hyun Soo, the husband she
so loves. It was difficult throughout starting with the rehearsal, and we
constantly made changes, but the director continued to come up with ideas and I
discussed with him what I had prepared. We put a lot of thought into that
scene. Thankfully, viewers also felt sad while watching it, so I find that
scene memorable. Q. In the drama, you performed the duality of
your character with delicacy. Do you feel that you, Lee Joon Gi, have two
sides?JG – I think everyone has two sides. In this
day and age, though, doesn’t everyone live a life where they hide themselves
while always thinking about how they look to the world? I do think everyone lives
this way, hiding themselves… Of course, I also have two sides to me. I think I
am more careful and hesitant than I may look to others out there; sometimes I
can be a bit calculating and living with my own thoughts. Then when I come back
to ‘Lee Joon Gi’ as I originally am, I think there is quite a deep side of me.
As I get older these days, I have started asking myself, “What should I do to
live in balance?” Isn’t it something everyone has on their mind? I think many
people put on an act to a degree, just as Hyunsoo does. When you think about
it, we live in an age where we cannot live expressing all our emotions, don’t
we? Q. In Japan, we have this term “イクメン”
[*
ikumen = a man who actively takes pleasure in childcare; source – https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20181127-ikumen-how-japans-hunky-dads-are-changing-parenting]. In the drama, there are ordinary scenes
where you do housework and childcare. You performed those scenes very naturally
and so perfectly. But do you enjoy housework in real life?JG – Well, I lived alone for a long time after I’d left home at the age of 19 (laughs). I mean, I am interested in everything
[about housework] but now I live with my sibling [little sister] so she does
the housework and she does it very well. I don’t really do as much housework as
I used to, but in the past, I especially loved cooking and making stuff for
myself. Back in the military – and I was famous for this – I remember keeping
things clean. If I get to have a family of my own, I will gladly take pleasure
in childcare, cooking, and cleaning.Q. It
seems there are many people around the world who can’t go out as much as they
want but spend more time at home due to Covid-19. Is there anything you have
recently started because of the time we live in now? JG – Before [Covid-19] I had started and
practiced jiu jitsu consistently for over 2 years. However, I had to stop all
that because of Covid-19. Now it’s a time when I have to be careful about
everything. I used to go to the gym regularly even during filming, but this
year, I had no choice but to concentrate only on filming. Because, as a leading
actor, I did not want to risk causing harm to anyone. So this year, I would say
I stopped [jiu jitsu] for a while, rather than losing my hobby. Instead, I have
started walking. I was very worried that if I did not train my body this way, I
would get [easily] tired when I do something. Before I had started jiu jitsu, I’d
loved walking anyway, so I started walking again. I started walking at the Han
River, following all the infection prevention guidelines and putting on a thick
mask. So when I went for a walk like this for the first time in a long time, it
felt refreshing. I walk the same long trail I had taken before, and it is not
just for exercising, but I enjoy walking while listening to music without
thinking about anything, or while thinking about various things. I think
walking around like that, completely free from any thoughts at all, ultimately helps
refresh myself. I think life is similar to walking, so every time I go for a
walk, I feel like I get to look back on my life, and I think that’s good. In
every aspect, many people, not just me, are living restricted lives these days,
but I hope that we all get through this and I suggest we do it by trying simple
things, one by one, just as I do – so we can stay healthy both physically and
mentally. Q. What kind of genre and role do you want to
try in the future?JG – So far, I have done a lot of genre (-specific)
works, like action and romance. You know, most Korean dramas have romance in
them, and they always have romance aspects to them, don’t they? (laughs) Many
of those fans who love me often tell me they want to see me in a romance, but
hey, I have not done a single project
that does not have romance in it. It
is just that many of my works fall under the genres of action and thriller, but
I think they all have romantic aspects to them… But after finishing this drama
[Flower of Evil], I did feel like I had done a romantic drama (melodrama) I had
been avoiding before. I think it blends thriller and romance harmoniously, and once
again made me think a lot about what love is. I have always been interested in
stories about love, and I have always thought I want to express a love between
man and woman, the most basic kind of love. If I can, I want to do a project that
focuses on a love between man and woman. But even now, a lot of people think of
‘Lee Joon Gi’ when it comes to action, so I still get a lot of offers in that
genre [action]. To directors [specializing] in the romance genre, please keep
me in mind (laughs). Or else, I want to play a role where I let go of anything
that’s weighing me down… I want to do a role where I get to express myself
freely. Without being tied to a specific genre. I think this drama [Flower of
Evil] made me desire such things.Q. Lastly, is there any message you want to
send to your Japanese fans who are about to watch Flower of Evil?JG – In Korea, the drama received so much love
from many fans and viewers, and I am so grateful. From the production team to
the director, the writer, all the other staff, and the actors I worked with –
everyone did their best and worked so hard on this, and it turned out to be a
great drama. Guys, I am so happy you guys love the passion that went into this.
I hope many watch Flower of Evil. Don’t miss it! I think that Covid-19 has been
very hard on the fans in Japan as well. But health always comes first! I pray
that we all follow the infection prevention guidelines, stay healthy, and get
to meet one another very soon. Please stay healthy, and always stay happy.
Thank you very much. [In Japanese] “See you again.” #lee joon gi #이준기 #flower of evil #악의꽃](https://64.media.tumblr.com/e3b0c8f505c1034d5d31b217a9c9cb0f/919f6995578fe768-53/s500x750/17fff3aa423db6c2c3abf2bc436d9dfcdd9bb97a.jpg)
![JG’s Instagram update 2021/01/01
[trans]Happy new year💥 2021 💥💞 I pray for an even healthier year for you all and that your days will only be filled with blessings in the new year🙏 I hope in the new year we all get to jump high more energetically than we have until now. I hope that the day will come soon when we get our precious ordinary days back and get to look at one another in person, holding hands together. To my people, who always give me big love, I love you 💝Thank you🙋♂️Happy new year 💌 Love you all ♡[original]Happy new year💥 2021 💥💞 새해에는 모두 더욱더 건강하시고 여러분 모두에게 축복가득한 나날들만 있으시길 기도할게요🙏 새해엔 모두가 지금보다 활기차게 뛰어오를수있는 그런 한해가 되길 바라봅니다 소중한 일상을 되찾고 함께 다시 바라보며 손 맞잡을 그날이 빨리 오길 바라며 언제나 큰 사랑주시는 내 사람들 사랑합니다 💝감사합니다🙋♂️새해 복 많이 받으세요 💌 Love you all ♡ #lee joon gi #이준기](https://64.media.tumblr.com/49e6c38eef141efeb0a578ec7d94e7ec/770b7fbd129ea124-79/s500x750/e7b8c9c060e6552dcc165aad6e307da6f6d62430.jpg)
![LEE JOON GI’s New Year Message to Hajunse
(Korean fan club), ENG translation(source
– https://cafe.daum.net/myloverjunki/9MyE/247)“Hi,
guys. This is your actor Lee Joon Gi. Dear Hajunse family, finally, 2021, the
Year of the Metal Ox, has dawned. I wish you all a happy new year. 2020, a year
that was filled with ups and downs, is gone. The new year has finally dawned.
They say it’s the Year of the Ox (cow). You know, there is this thing that my
fans and I always remind ourselves of? That I should work hard like a cow every
year. [** ‘working like a cow’ is a popular Korean expression meaning working
hard and diligently.**] This year is going to be a bit different from any other
year. I will do my best to make it a particularly great year by working harder
and more diligently like a cow. I hope in the new year you guys get to fulfill
all your dreams you couldn’t in 2020. In 2021, I hope you always stay healthy
and happy. What’s going to happen in 2021? I am very curious. For me, health
comes first. Second, I hope this year I get to present a great project to you.
Third, another goal and wish of mine for the year is to become a great actor
who gets recognized by not only my fans but also by the public. And I wish you
all and your families a home always filled with blessings. I pray for days
filled with blessings not just for me but also you all. In the year of 2021, I
hope you are always happy. Your actor Lee Joon Gi will stay by your side. Thank
you, guys. I always love you. Bye. Happy New Year. Let’s love one another. #lee joon gi #이준기](https://64.media.tumblr.com/19777f42c6ebd434753bffb35b714a5d/c2a34dba758e92ae-86/s500x750/07025fc8f2398e34ccae98cfb215dc4c173861c4.jpg)
![LEE JOON GI’s DREAM with Naver NOW (2020/12/03) - Transcript, English Translation-(Opening remarks after Lee Joon Gi’s
song NOW ends – roughly 06:28
~ 07:34)‘Flower of Evil,’ the drama that
aired this past summer. In the prologue to Episode 1, this is the first line
our protagonist Do Hyun Soo says: “Do you want me to tell you? What kind of
person I am?” And as the drama progresses, it gradually reveals what kind of
life he has lived, doesn’t it? So many people loved it precisely because it
unfolds in such intriguing ways. It got me so curious. It got me curious about
you who gave it so much love. And I missed you. ‘Maybe we will be able to see
each other soon, won’t we?’ That vague feeling of anticipation we have dreamed
of since spring has already taken us to this cold winter. I am here because I
wanted to see you no matter what before the year ends. With my heart filled
with longing, I’d like to start today’s show by saying this: “Do you want me to
tell you? What kind of life I’m living these days.”(08:00
~Hi, everyone. This is your actor,
Lee Joon Gi. Hi, guys. Hello~ Can you see me? Okay, camera #1. Camera change.
Camera change. Change. Change. Hello, hello. Wow, I haven’t met you guys on the
radio in such a long time, so it feels so refreshing and exciting, though it does
come with pressure. Yes, really, I am so looking forward to it today. This is
my first time appearing on Naver NOW as well. Of course it’s my first time.
Just looking around here, I was touched to see so many people working hard to
produce a great show, preparing for you guys with all these different kinds of
equipment and the top-of-the-line system. They are so awesome. Right now, my
voice also sounds great. This looks like a very expensive mic. On top of this
very expensive mic… I don’t think you can get a good look at the inside here,
but many camera operators are doing their best to make me look great. Also, in
the control booth, lots of people are working hard right now to make a great
show today. (09:20
~From the bottom of my heart, thank
you for inviting me, all staff at Naver NOW. Thank you for having me. Thank
you. Seeing the comments right now. Hm, there are so many comments. Fans from
different countries around the world, and fans from Korea, they are joining in.
Is there anyone who has never tuned in to Naver NOW before? As far as I know,
many artists have been here before me. Don’t be shy, and hurry and come on in.
I hope many many people join in. Dear international fans, it’s been a long
time. It’s been a long time. I hope to see you. The comments are coming in so
quickly right now. So nice to see you guys. Even though it’s 10 o’clock at
night, many of you guys are joining in to talk with me. But I can’t read [all
comments]. Almost can’t, right now. (Laughs) How does my voice sound? Today I
have a bit of a nasal voice. I didn’t say a word the whole day because I wanted
to make my voice sound great to you guys. Anyway, I guess I need a bit of
warm-up first. I gotta warm up my voice as well.(10:40~Let me just quickly read some
comments: “I’m a fan of yours, oppa.” Yes, yes, I think I would still be having
trouble [reading all comments] even if I started rapping now, though. “I’ve
been waiting all day,” “I miss you so much,” “You’re so handsome,” “You have a
great voice.” Thank you. I chose to do this content [show] exactly because I am
proud of my own voice. I also chose to do this, thinking that it would be nice
if you hear my sweet [honey] voice at night. Yes, I’m glad to see you guys
respond so well. “You have a crazy good-looking face.” I love comments like
this. Yes, it looks pretty good, right? I don’t look so bad today. I had it [my
face] taken care of before I got here. I take to my personal space [on SNS].
Personally I use Instagram Live. Lots of people do it these days, though. I
don’t do it so often, but I want to receive [interact with] my fans. I go live
on Instagram to meet my fans like this. I am so happy to actually meet you here
like this. It really feels very refreshing. And I can hear my own voice now,
and I’m thinking about how to make you guys happy with better sound quality,
with a better voice. Right now, I also feel really close to you. (11:56~I am talking to you from NOW studio.
The reason I visited NOW today. Do you guys want to know? First, as I said
earlier, I wanted to interact more with you guys. Before the year ends… These
days, because of Covid-19, I don’t get much opportunity to meet you in person.
Of course, it’s so hard on you guys as well. So before the year ends, I wanted
to repay the big love you have given me. Even a tiny bit of it. I wanted to
repay you for that. Also, I came here today to connect with more fans. Yes, I’m
seeing comments like, “You are like a piece of sculpture,” “You have a crazy
good-looking face.” Thank you. It’s still great to hear things like that even
when you get older. Dear international fans, yes, nice to meet you. Hi. How are
you guys? [**Greeting in Japanese: It’s
been a long time. Dear Japanese fans.**] [**Greeting in Chinese: Nice to meet you.**] Some fans are from
Thailand. So many people are joining in. There are also fans from Iran, as well
as those from Indonesia. Right now, I’m getting comments like, “You’re so
cute.” Shoes? Yes, I am wearing a pretty pair today. But on this ‘visible’
radio show, you cannot see me down from the table top. Yes, I am wearing blue
sneakers. Yes, thank you. Anyway, we have not been able to see each other in a
while, so we should make good use of this time today, right? I’m going to talk
with you so I can have a great time with you guys, so please look forward to
it. I am going to fill this time with great stories, and heartwarming stories.(13:45~)The NOW staff are telling me now
that NOW and I were destined to meet. Yes. I wonder if you guys remember this.
Back in 2016… I don’t remember much of that year right now, either. Was it
2016? My album called ‘Thank You.’ It had a song called “Now” in it. I played
that song earlier as the show opener. It was on December 3 that it was
released. December 3rd. And coincidentally – what’s the date today,
guys? The day I’m hosting this live show on NOW? It’s December 3rd. December
3rd. The release date of ‘Now’—the song that’s filled with our
precious memories and which I played as the opener—coincides exactly with the
day I am meeting you guys today on NOW. Exactly the same. It feels as though I
released this song for today’s occasion, doesn’t it? But this is really pure
coincidence. Because today… At Naver NOW, they have a completely packed
schedule. So it’s hard for them to find a time slot for me no matter how much I
ask. But somehow, I got to have this time slot confirmed on December 3rd
to meet you guys. Wow, this really gives me the chills! Chills.(15:05~Okay, then, let me say greetings
again. On December 3, 2016, ‘Now,’ a track on ‘Thank you,’ was released. In
2020, four years from that day, in the fall of 2020, no, wait, it’s winter now.
So on the same day in 2020, me sitting in the NOW studio, me meeting you guys
here, and NOW – we are all like one community bound by destiny. We are a
community with a shared destiny. I am your Lee Joon Gi. Once again, I want to say
nice to meet you. Congratulations to you, NOW, as well. I am also honored to be
with you. Our writers are so amazing they found this information. Even I did
not know about this. This is why being a writer is such a tough job. Writers
have to search for lots of information and know a lot. So I also learned
something today. About a track on my album. The release date of my album. Thank
you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.(16:16~Today, the college entrance exam…
right, it’s finished. Today was the day of the college entrance exam. Is there
anyone who took the exam today in the comments? You did a great, great job. In
fact, this year, 2020, has been hard on so many people. Even now, it’s causing
inconvenience for so many people, as well as pain; it’s so hard with each
passing day. So I can’t imagine how hard the year of 2020 must have been for
our test takers. I think you guys have had a really hard time, harder than
ever. I sincerely want to say you guys did a great job. Just studying alone is
so hard, getting through each day is so hard, right. On top of that, you have
to take care of your health. It’s definitely not easy to prepare [for the exam]
while following all these [Covid] precautions. You guys are really amazing, I
want to say I’m cheering you on, and that I’m proud of you. I believe that as
much as you did your best today, it will definitely get you a good result. It
will bring you a good result. Your life is not completely determined by the
result of what you did in a single day. I think that, as you get through every
single day like you did today, and as you get these opportunities and these
experiences with each passing year, you will become a better person and a
better, brighter future awaits you. So I hope you guys cheer up and pray you will
get a good result. All the test takers did a great job, but many other people
are also having a hard time. Every one of you in my family [**JG often calls his fans ‘family’**] is
toughing it out and getting through each day this year. For everyone, for all
of you, I hope this time today will be a ‘healing time.’ Why don’t we give a
round of applause to those test takers who did a great job today? Please give
it up in the comments as well. You guys did such a great, great job. I’m
praying for a good result for you. You did a great job, guys. Great job.(18:37~Yes, OOO. “I took the exam today.”
OOO, you did a great job. Did you do well? It must have been hard. It was very
different from the previous exam system, wasn’t it? I also learned about it
from the news today. It seems that under the [new] system you guys can’t really
take the exam in a comfortable atmosphere; it seemed very stiff. Despite all
that, you did a great job of staying focused. OOOO, “I got back from the exam.”
OOOO, “I’m a mom to a high school senior! It was so hard.” It must have been
so, so hard on the families of test takers, as well as the test takers, right?
I saw this photo on the Internet, where the family even put up a tent at home.
The family members couldn’t go out. I saw them having a really tough time
taking care of the test taker [in their family] while trying hard to take care
of their health, help the [test taker] stay healthy and stay in the right
condition. To the mothers, the parents, you did such a great, great job. All the
families of [test takers] did a great job. To you guys, and to me, this year
will be an unforgettable one in so many ways. You did a great job. Your
nephew/niece also took the exam? To the nephew/niece, I hope you accomplish
your desired goals. Do I look tired? Nope, I am not. I had enough sleep before
I got here today. Does it show that I slept a lot? I am not tired, though. I
just slept a lot today. Because I wanted to make my voice sound great to you. (20:22~Now, I will let you know the special
title of the show. Your comments are so heartwarming, and we are having a great
atmosphere today, so yes, it’s going to be so fun. I haven’t done a radio show
in a long time, so I needed a bit of warm-up, too. I think we are off to a
great start, having fun. I am doing this broadcast with you guys, where we get
to interact in a fun and heartwarming way. Do you see the title ‘DREAM,’ on the
right side of the screen? It says ‘Lee Joon Gi’s DREAM’ in the upper righthand
corner, right? You see it, don’t you? I came up with it with the [NOW]
production staff, trying to give it several meanings. Literally, it means
‘dream.’ It’s a ‘dream,’ dream. Also it’s ‘hope.’ And ‘imagination.’ A place
where everything is possible. As long as I am with you guys, I believe everything
is possible. I can’t help but believe that. And I also start imagining all
those things. That’s why I came up with the concept ‘DREAM’ so it conveys those
meanings. Yes, anyway, it means I am going to talk with you guys about all
sorts of stuff related to ‘dreams. I’m going to make this a fun time for you.
Because I am here today to have a lot of chat with you guys, instead of staying
at home. So I am going to talk fun stuff with you guys. Our dream has come
true. Yes, dreams come true. Yes, anyway, I am going to host today’s show with
the concept of ‘DREAM.’ (21:48~Today, I am going to keep giving
things away. To repay you for all your support. I’m going to keep giving stuff.
So I hope you guys participate actively. Very actively. At first, how about me
starting with my latest TMI? I was thinking about what to start with… I will
share some latest TMI, too. Also, I am giving out some gifts. I was really
surprised when I got here earlier. Right now, there are so many gifts ready.
Yes, so many. Yes, guys, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you, the NOW
production staff. For preparing so many gifts. I will also do my best to hand
out as many gifts to as many people as possible. In fact, the production staff
and my own staff all worried so much about me. You guys know what I’m like,
right? Hm, when I go live on Instagram or do something on social media, I
become such a “too much talker.” I always end up spending more time than I
should. I don’t know what’s going to happen today. It’s already late at night
and you guys should go to work tomorrow and it must be so hard for you, but I
am spending… I don’t even know how much time I have already spent on this
opening segment. I don’t know if you still remember this, but I remember
hosting a radio show and having a chat with you guys [**back when he was serving in the military**]. At the time, too, I
remember the staff going through so much trouble. Today, I will try and keep it
as brief as possible so it won’t cause any trouble for the staff, all the while
making it fun. When you look at the system they have at Naver NOW, seriously,
as far as I know, lots of A-list artists in Korea have dropped by here. So I
intend to do more than an average job. Well, I am not going to get serious
because I am an actor. But since it’s night time, I am not going to get too
playful either. Today, I have a concept in mind: being a bit serious and witty
at the same time. That’s right. (23:55 ~The comments I’m getting today are
really… Just looking at them, I see some are from Jordan. Let me take a quick
look. The sort of comment I get the most is, “You have a great voice.” Also,
“You look cute when you laugh.” Yes, thank you. “Dear actor, you have a sweet
voice.” Actually, my voice can be ASMR to you at night. I hope my voice can
guide you to a really sweet dream. “Don’t laugh”? You don’t want me to laigh?
Aha, if I laugh too much (laughs) Because “If you laugh too much, you get too
cute”? “I love the way you talk.” “I want to bite you.” Yes. Yes… I am really a
happy person. Even at this age, I am a man whom you want to bite. “Your voice
is like honey.” I love this comment. I am getting lots of text messages from
you guys. Some from Singapore; some from Indonesia; and from the Philippines.
So many. “Your voice is killing me.” Yes, today I really feel like having five
burgers stacked on my shoulders [**he
uses the metaphor of pumped-up shoulders to show he’s feeling proud**] I’m
so happy. (Laughs) I hope you guys continue to have a great time. The chat is
going by so fast right now. Really, from my point of view, it almost looks like
this. So if you feel like, “Since the chat goes by so fast, my comment won’t
get read. Today this is an epic fail today. This is really frustrating. He
isn’t reading it,” for you, I am receiving your comments through text messaging
as well. I haven’t done this in a long time. Text #7117. It costs 100 won. I
want to make this for free, but I don’t know why. Text #7117, #7117. The header
is ‘Lee Joon Gi’ plus your nickname, and send in your comment. Think of it as
another way to reach me. (25:57 ~All right, then. You are watching
Lee Joon Gi’s DREAM today and I am your host. Let’s continue. Why don’t I start
with what I have been up to lately? You guys were so curious about it, right?
What I have been doing lately. In fact, when it comes to stuff like this, you
need someone moderating this so I can think before I start talking about it.
But today, I have to do everything. So please understand that I might be
rambling a bit, talking all over the place today. For instance, [**JG starts role-playing as host and
interviewee**] “We are live on Naver NOW. Today, we are having actor Lee
Joon Gi with us. Actor Lee Joon Gi, it’s so great to see you today after a
while. Can you tell us what you’ve been up to recently?” Yes. Recently, as you
guys know, it’s been two months since the drama called Flower of Evil, the
drama that aired on tvN called Flower of Evil ended. For the time being, I am
reading scripts and working out. Although for now, since we moved to the higher
level of social distancing because of Covid-19, I cannot use indoor gyms. So I
am doing at-home workouts and walking leisurely at the Han river while wearing
a mask. And including things like this, I am doing research and trying to come
up with various ways to spend time with you. What kind of things I can show you
guys right now. What kind of opportunities there are. I’m sorting out things
like that. Also, I am constantly reading the scripts coming in right now. [I
have read so many that] I really feel like I can even write book reports later
on. Because I want to present a great project to you as soon as possible.Part 2.(27:44
~Today, we have something marvelous
here. Naver NOW has something like this: Naver Clova AI? AI? [**JG makes robotic sounds**] Hi. I am
Clova AI N.O.W. Is it something like this? They tell me it’s going to help me
out with the hosting. The state-of-the-art system. Wow, Naver NOW. Is the AI
going to come out walking like this? [**JG
makes robotic moves**] No, is it not? You guys have all sorts of things. I
am very curious what it’s going to be like, so shall we bring it out? AI,
please come out. {AI NOUNCER: Hello. This is Naver
NOW’s Announcer (anchor), Nouncer. Mr Lee Joon Gi, nice to meet you.}
{JOONGI} Are you called Nouncer? Okay. Nouncer. Your last name is Nou, first
name is Uncer. Ms Nouncer. Ms Nouncer, nice to meet you. So when should I speak
to you like this? {NOUNCER: I will come back out when
you need me, so keep on hosting.} {JOONGI} What, you didn’t even say
greetings. So you are just coming out like this when I need you? It’s not like
I have to call you to bring you out or anything? What kind of announcer is she,
then? What kind of announcer are you? Yes, she appeared when the ding-dong
sound rang. They say it’s entirely up to the AI when and where she comes out.
Well, since I am a “too much talker,” the script says, when I talk too much,
she will come out saying “Please stop.” But I will ignore it. (Laughs) Bring it
on. You think you can beat me? Yes, anyway, our reliable Nouncer who has a
beautiful voice will be joining in on Lee Joon Gi DREAM. Now, on to the first
segment: TMI Info.(29:35
~ “tmi DREAM”)I was told that you guys sent in so
many questions for me. I am so curious what kind of questions you guys sent in.
I am going to read them, one by one. The questions my fans sent in before the
show. Oh oops. “AAA Awards. Congratulations on winning two awards. You even
gave a speech in English for international fans, it’s so perfect. Is there
anything you just cannot do? Dear Mr Perfect. Is there anything you wanted to
say but couldn’t on that day? Of all your 2021 plans, can you share at least
one of them?” Yes, thank you. The AAA awards were such a huge honor that I
received thanks to the love you gave me. I couldn’t even imagine it. You kind
of know you’re going to receive an award when you get invited, but I didn’t
know I would win two awards. You don’t know how big this award is going to be.
Although they tell us something like, “You are probably going to win an award,
so please come.” I received such huge, huge awards. As for the speech in
English, well, I always think about what I want to say to you guys. That day,
Best… Asia Celebrity Award? Yes, since that’s the award I won, since many
international fans showed their support for me, I prepared a message that I
could send out to them. There are lots of things I cannot do. Yes, but it’s
just that I keep looking for ways, even slightly better ways to express my
feelings to you guys. “Of your 2021 goals, can you share at least one of them?”
In fact, this [Naver NOW show] today is one of those opened up. Yes, like the
gift wrap got ripped open. As for Naver NOW, the staff and I had been talking
about this since about 3 months ago. We’d already been talking about it. I told
them, I personally want to meet you guys on the radio like this. But it kept
getting pushed back, and then we found the right time. Originally, I thought of
meeting you in November, but there was this awards ceremony and several other
things I had to prepare, so we set the date like this, and I’ve been waiting
since, looking forward to it. You guys were surprised, weren’t you? Yes, you’re
in for a surprise, surprise. Radio, all of a sudden~! Yes. That’s exactly the
kind of reaction I wanted from you. (32:00
~From Baby Flower Joongi [fan
nickname]. “I heard about your diet during your Instagram Live. You said you
don’t eat flours, try to avoid eating rice, as well. Hearing this got me
reflecting on myself because I get food delivered all the time. Then what do
you usually eat most often? What did you eat today?” Wait, sorry. The previous
question was from “Joongi-nim’s fan since 2005.” Oh, I apologize. I forgot to
say your nickname. Sorry. Right now, this is from “Baby Flower Joongi.” Well, I
didn’t think that this would get talked about so much, though. It seems this
surprised so many people. But lots of people do the ‘low-carb, high-fat diet’
these days. For me, of course, I cut off flours because of my work. At first,
for the first year, I got extremely annoyed, struggled, felt depressed, so
angry, and yes, so enervated, too. But as the years went by, one year, and two
years, I stuck to my diet because I didn’t want to let the hard work I’d done
go to waste. I also stuck to it because I felt lighter. But for me, this is
something related to what I do for a living. That’s why I wouldn’t recommend it
to you guys. I hope you stay healthy and eat many delicious foods. But don’t
eat too much, enjoy eating. You guys enjoying delicious foods – that’s what is
good. So don’t be too critical of yourselves. Just don’t eat too much, too
often, though. I hope you don’t eat too much too often. Today, I ate duck.
Basically, you should definitely eat vegetables. Veggies, duck, and soup.
That’s what I ate. Normally, I ate one meal a day, or two meals. That’s right.
I try my best to eat two meals, but these days I sleep a lot, late into the
morning. Anyway, I try to eat without harming my health, so I hope you guys
also take good care of your health. Also, the most important thing to
strengthen your immune system is what you eat. So it’s important to eat
nutritious meals. Especially in times like this, I hope you eat lots of foods
to keep yourself healthy. Balanced meal.(34:15
~Now, on to the short text messages
that came in but are redundant. Those I just read earlier were the longer ones.
I was told the AI Nouncer is giving me more questions, right? Nouncer, what
questions do you have? {NOUNCER: Min-Cho. Mint
chocolate. Love VS Hate?} Is it Yes or No? Min-Cho. Love. Yes. {NOUNCER:
When eating tangsuyuk [*Korean sweet/sour pork/beef*],
do you pour the source or dip in the sauce?} Dip in the sauce. {NOUNCER:
The latest photo in your phone Photo Gallery is my
selfie VS no} It’s my selfie. (Laughs) {NOUCER: Which
one do you miss right now? Joon VS Kabi?} Oh, this is tough. Recently,
Kabi has started acting really cute. So I miss Kabi. {NOUNCER: As the rep for INFP, which word do you prefer? Thoughtful VS
Creative} It’s ‘Creative’ for me. Well, I didn’t even know I’d get ‘INFP.’
This is a little, this is weird. They should make another one. This is all…
{NOUNCER: What drama did you enjoy the most this year?
Please answer, except Flower of Evil.} This year. This year? Ah, really.
Really, honestly, the one I binge-watched was “The World of the Married.”
(Laughs) I binge-watched The World of the Married. I mean, married couple, we
[him and Moon Chae Won] had to play a married couple, too. How… I watched it to
see what it was like to be one, but I ended up enjoying it a lot, honestly. I
enjoyed it. And then, I also enjoyed watching “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” as
well. Yes, there’s a lot. I watch dramas often. Yes. Ah, I’m supposed to
elaborate on these, too. Hmm, as for Min-Cho [mint chocolate], I would always
get this fresh ice cream at that Thirty One [**JG seems to refer to Baskin-Robbins 31**] But I don’t understand
why mint chocolate is not popular. Why is that? Is it because of the color? I
love that feeling, though. You get to chew crunchy bits of chocolate in it.
Crunchy? Mm. Also, there’s a bit of that fresh feeling. That’s why I loved it,
but these days, this seems extremely shocking to some people. (36:35
~As for tangsuyuk, I don’t hang out
with people who pour the sauce on it. It’s just impolite. They have no manners.
So I really hate pouring the sauce. What’s the point of deep-frying it, then?
There is a reason you deep-fry tangsuyuk. You can enjoy the crunchiness of it
too. Yes, also, I dip it in the sauce to savor just the right amount of
sweetness I want. Ah, as for the selfies, as my fans know (Laughs) Yes, I love
taking selfies. It seems, how shall I put it, you guys seem to have a lot of
problems with my selfies. You keep saying I am so bad at taking selfies,
calling me sel-something [**JG seems to
refer to Korean slang “selgo” meaning someone who really suck at selfies**]
But I think I am pretty good at it. Why do you think that? What am I supposed
to do to take good selfies, then? I have no idea. I post things where I look
handsome when I look at them. (Laughs) Weird. I take them from this eoljjang
[**meaning ‘best face’**] angle. Like this, click. The ones I post – I take,
like, thirty photos and choose one from them. Please show some love. Selfies.
Why do you say I am bad at taking selfies? Yes, please enlighten me. Yes, right
now, it’s Kabi that I miss right now. Recently, Kabi has become very, yes, very
lovely. These days, she keeps climbing on me, keeping me from sleeping. She
keeps bothering me. It’s like she’s suddenly starved for affection. She’s like
5 years old now. It’s about time she just ignored people. Strangely, though,
she started bothering me so much nowadays. But I love it because the way she
acts is very very cute. Yes, as for the dramas, I told you, right? The drama I
started watching for inspiration, but got hooked on – The World of the Married.
Yes, I enjoyed it a lot. There were so many great dramas this year. I enjoyed
all of them. That particular one came to mind because – The World of the
Married was the one I binge-watched, so it just came to mind. Personally, the
drama I frequently watch is “Be Melodramatic.” I watch it often. I re-watch
that one pretty often. Because it has funny lines in it. (38:37
~I’m getting a great deal of
questions about Flower of Evil. Actually, just others… I mean, not just others’
dramas, but the results of the valuable efforts of other people. I, too, watch
a lot of those dramas myself, but ultimately, it’s my own dramas that I watch a
lot. Someone said, “World of the Married? Shocking,” but I just watched it because
it’s enjoyable. I was not trying to liken anything there [World of the Married]
to Flower of Evil or anything. I just watched it, having fun. So we are now
getting questions about Flower of Evil. Some say, “Please stop talking about
other dramas.” Let’s move on to Flower of Evil. Let us get down to it and talk
about Flower of Evil. (39:20~Flower of Evil. A question I get
asked a lot each time my drama ends is: “Can you get out of character?” In
fact, all my previous dramas and characters I did were not easy, either. They
were all tough characters to play – mentally demanding characters. But when it
came to Flower of Evil, so many people were so engrossed in it this year. It’s
the drama they all cried and laughed and enjoyed together. The people around me
kept asking me. “How can you get out of that character?” “Are you doing okay?”
“Aren’t you feeling depressed?” “Isn’t it hard to get out of your role
especially with the Covid blues on top of all that?” Those questions are the
ones I get asked the most. Yes, well, I am… Okay. But strangely, this time,
more so than ever, I think it’s especially harder than when I did any other
project. Actually, I felt fine for a week or two after it ended, but I started
having a bit more lingering feelings one month after, and to this day. Yes,
it’s strange. And I started thinking more about having a family as well. I
guess that’s because I played a character being married and having a family. I
guess because I poured a lot of [what I’ve got] into this project in many ways.
We have questions from our viewers, our listeners.(40:43
~Oh, I love this. “What did you work
particularly hard on to portray emotionless Do Hyun Soo?” First of all, well,
my general mindset was, “Do not calculate [overthink].” For this project. Actually,
when I start on a project, I tend to do a bit of study on the narratives,
character relationships, and further stories that will come later on in the
drama, and figure things out in advance. But for this project, I tried my best
not to do any of those, but decided to let go of everything and focus on the
situations I was given at every moment. Of course, I did think about the
narratives surrounding this character Do Hyun Soo and discussed a lot with the
director, but I still tried to focus the most on [my work] on set. So as I told
you many times, I barely did any monitoring [of my own performance]. I just
tried to focus solely on that given situation, do every single thing with the
people I worked with, and focus on my work on the set. Sure, the best kind of
acting is actually living the life of that person you portray, but wouldn’t it
be hard living like that? I always read the script before the shoot and was
particularly more immersed in [my role] this time, trying to focus on the given
situation. Because the director led us through all that and made me feel
comfortable, I did not have to monitor my work but instead did a lot more on
set. Also, the actors who played their respective characters – they also gave
me lots of help. All in all, I think focusing on my work on set was the best
way to go. (42:14
~“On behalf of emotionless Do Hyun
Soo, what scene made Lee Joon Gi the actor tear up the most while watching the
drama?” For me, it’s different each time. Recently, I’ve been watching it
again… What? {NOUNCER: To talk about Flower of Evil,
you can consult the Naver TV cast. Please use the iPad in front of you.}
Mm, thank you. Thank you, Nouncer. Yes, it’s different each time I watch it.
So, well, what’s there… At first, I felt sad watching the scene on the bridge
where I had my first emotional outburst in front of Cha Ji Won. And then, in
the workshop scene, in the last episode. [**JG
looking at the screen**] This was from the trailer. Ah, here, Jiwon, I
mean, Chaewon. Chaewon’s acting was so great. Yes, this scene was really sad.
Cha Ji Won is… You guys all know what my performance was like here. But what
Moon Chae Won did – later on, after I [Hyunsoo] have lost my memory, she
remembers those traces that vanished and that space. As it showed briefly earlier.
[**JG seems to refer to the scenes in Ep
16, including one where Jiwon holds the shirt Hyunsoo wore against her nose**]
The scent, the smell of her man. The memories that come with it. And those
deeply affecting, wistfully affectionate, and desperate feelings that come with
it. The scene where she [Moon Chae Won] acts out these things. Following those
emotions in the last episode really choked me up. When I was watching it again
recently while drinking. (Laughs) So yeah, I cried a lot. Watching the last
episode I teared up a lot. Also, when those things led to the workshop scene
later on. “Many people call it ‘the drama of my life.’” Wow, oh, one of the
camera operators here watched every single episode of it? Who is it? Hahaha.
Thank you. No wonder you looked so remarkably adept handling that camera. I
mean, there is some kind of artistic sensitivity to it. Thank you. Wow, so
pleased to meet you. Strangely, Flower of Evil makes me feel extra happy.(44:44
~“Do you remember your first meeting,
your first shoot with your co-stars?” Yes, well. The first meeting with another
actor, of course, I remember meeting with our Moon Chae Won. But it was my
second time working with Chaewon on a project. Instead of awkwardness, it was
more of curiosity about how we should portray these characters. I remember
shooting the past scene in the workshop first. It was actually the first shoot
for me, but the one that’s most memorable is the kiss scene [in the workshop].
We shot the kiss scene very early on. It was the first scene, in the opening to
Episode 1. So of course, we were nervous. Like, what should we do to make it
look great? We are a married couple here, but both of us are too young and
pretty. So I thought, we shouldn’t kiss looking too much like we were dating. But
then, we probably shouldn’t kiss looking too much like a married couple.
Anyway, I remember having those thoughts. I kept asking the directors and staff
on the set. Then, one staff member… I asked him, “How do married couples kiss?”
He said, “Why would a married couple ever kiss?” (Laughs) I was like, what’s
that? Some married couples do love each other. You’re supposed to help me. [He
said] “I just can’t for the life of me understand this scene.” Love each other,
guys. Why would you not? Why wouldn’t you kiss? Yeah, anyway. To me that scene
is memorable. That we did together.(46:26
~When it comes to kiss scenes, you
guys ask me, “What kind of feelings do you get?” Of course, an actor is
supposed to express these basic emotions, so I’m supposed to focus on that. But
in reality, we get really nervous. Because we have to find the best angles. And
we have to figure everything out like how this will appear to viewers. So this
is the moment when actors put in a lot of thought and get nervous. So do the
staff. Especially the cinematographer works the hardest. To find the best
angles. He works hard. Always. (Laughs) “Of the other characters in Flower of
Evil, I want to play this character. What character?” Yes, for me, it’s Cha Ji
Won. I’d like the role [Kim Moo Jin] played by Seo Hyun Woo, as well. But I
often played characters that have professions like the one Cha Ji Won has. So
on set, I’d always say “This time, it’s the other way around.” I find [her
character] very attractive, and she did a brilliant job of leading this
heartbreaking narrative. Personally, I wondered, what if I played that role?
How hard and painful it must be? You know, those struggles to protect those
things [she has] when she faces the truth? That desperation. She [Chaewon] did
such a brilliant job of expressing those things. I think a lot about ‘What if I
had to [deal with] those things?’ I often put myself in others’ shoes. So yes.
Just talking about this suddenly reminds me of that. [**Server crashed at this point, 48:03***][**In specifying the time from here on out, I will pretend the server
crash didn’t happen**] (48:03~
after the server is back up)Yes, I’m back, guys. You guys were
surprised, weren’t you? Welcome back, guys. I was told the server crashed. WOW!
I know it was such an inconvenience to you, but I felt so happy about it. Like,
I am not an idol, but the server crashed. Earlier, someone said in the
comments, “The power of Lee Joon Gi.” Yes, it’s good to see me back, isn’t it?
Once again. Guys, so nice to see you back. Flower of Evil. I apologize, guys.
The server crashed because there was too much traffic. So yeah, it shut down
temporarily. “The broadcast shut down. Start over,” “Where’s the honey voice
gone?” Even Naver NOW told me that this was the first time the broadcast
stopped in the middle. Do you think they told me the truth? It’s true, right?
Okay, then, thank you. (Laughs) I think the server crashed because I had just
said I was going to call one of my co-stars and we got more attention. So
that’s why the server crashed. Guys, come on in again. From the bottom of my
heart, I am grateful for your interest and love. Right now, you are watching
Lee Joon Gi’s DREAM, presented by Lee Joon Gi and NOW. The comments say, “My
heart almost stopped.” My heart almost stopped. You have no idea what I went
through to join in~ Why are you frozen like a robot? “The incredible power of
Joon Gi.” Thank you. OOOO. “Naver, start working!” I can say this out loud,
right? Is it not back up yet? “Please restore it.” Now it’s been restored,
right? Yes, I think it’s back up. Is there anyone who just joined in now?
Besides those who were already here? To those who just joined in, we have just
started Part 2. Part 1 was sponsored by Lee Joon Gi, advertised by Lee Joon Gi.
Lee Joon Gi and NOW present, Lee Joon Gi’s DREAM: Now, Part 2 has begun.
Nothing happened. If you still don’t see or hear it, you can turn off the Naver
app again and turn it back on. Try turning it off and then back on. When you
turn it off and turn it back on, Part 2 has begun. Anyway, I will make up for
the time we lost during the crash and do it longer, so please don’t feel too
bad. Today, I practically own this place. Anyway, for me, I am feeling… I am
very sorry that this has caused you such an inconvenience, but I was like, “Am
I really that kind of actor who can cause a server crash? Am I that kind of
person? I’m getting a little arrogant. I will stay humble till the end. Anyway,
you know, I told you in Part 1, see you back in 60 seconds, right? I am going
to call someone precious in Part 2.(51:57
~Should I make a phone call now? Do
we have many people in here? Who’s it going to be? Who’s it that will take the
call at this hour? Right now, it’s 10:56 pm. It’s nearing 10:57. I’m sorry to
make a call at night, but I’m going to make one anyway. Are you excited? I am
excited as well. Isn’t the ringtone great?{CHAEWON} Hello? {JOONGI} Hello? {CHAEWON} Speaking. {JOONGI} Aren’t you asleep yet? {CHAEWON} No. {JOONGI} Why are you still awake at this
hour? {CHAEWON} Wait, I can say I’m aware that I am on
the air, right? {JOONGI} Have you been watching this? {CHAEWON} No, I wasn’t watching it deliberately. {JOONGI}
Oh, is that so? {CHAEWON} Yes. {JOONGI} Why, you
should have! {CHAEWON} Because never in my life have I
received a phone call on the radio. {JOONGI} Wow, really? {CHAEWON} I have never done this before. {JOONGI} Why,
don’t the people around you care enough about you to do that? {CHAEWON} I mean, I have been on the radio before, but I have
never had anyone calling me during a show. Seriously, I was literally sitting
on my sofa waiting for your call. {JOONGI} Were you sitting on the sofa?
{CHAEWON} This is so weird. Are there actually people
listening to this? {JOONGI} They are REALLY listening to you right now. {CHAEWON} Oh my gosh, what am I supposed to do? But my voice
doesn’t sound polished. It’s just my raw voice coming out. {JOONGI}
Right now, your voice is sounding so REAL. {CHAEWON} Oh
my god. {JOONGI} You.. {CHAEWON} I’m so screwed.
I should have said I wouldn’t do this. {JOONGI} Why? You know, I was so
excited just thinking about calling you. {CHAEWON} But
it’s so weird. The fact that people can actually listen to this doesn’t feel
real to me right now. {JOONGI} It’s the year of 2020 now. {CHAEWON} Because I feel like I’m just on the phone with you.
{JOONGI} Do you? Just act like you always have when you’re on the phone with me.
{CHAEWON} It’s just the same. {JOONGI} Exactly,
that’s how it feels. {CHAEWON} Isn’t it just the same? {JOONGI}
Yup, you’re exactly the same – Chaewon who always sounds cheerful and a bit
more high-pitched on the phone. {CHAEWON} That’s right.
(54:34
~{JOONGI} That’s right. I kept a
secret that I was going to call you, although I think everyone already guessed
who. {CHAEWON} Yup. {JOONGI} I guess because
people were wondering who I was going to call, we had a server crash in Part 1.
People have such high expectations. It means there are so many people who love
our Flower of Evil. {CHAEWON} Thank you. {JOONGI}
So… First of all, let us go back to the polite way of talking. Since we are
officially on the air. {CHAEWON} Okay~ {JOONGI}
So, I am on the phone with Moon Chae Won. I am talking to her on my own phone.
Don’t worry too much. Please say hello to our viewers, our listeners. {CHAEWON} Should I say hello to NOW listeners? {JOONGI}
Yup, Naver NOW, to be exact. {CHAEWON} I see, Naver
NOW. Hi, Naver NOW listeners, nice to meet you. {JOONGI} Can you make it
longer? Please make it longer. {CHAEWON} Okay. I am… {JOONGI}
Instead of saying I live in blah blah… {CHAEWON}
Okay. I am Moon Chae Won. {JOONGI} We know you are Moon Chae Won. {CHAEWON} Okay. {JOONGI} We all know about ‘Hi, I am
actor Moon Chae Won.’ {CHAEWON} I see. Then how am I
supposed to say hello? {JOONGI} For instance, ‘How have you guys been
doing? I am so very happy to meet you guys through Naver NOW. I hope you guys
show your support for Joongi oppa so he can do a great job, and I will have a
great time as well.’ Something like that. {CHAEWON} I
see~ Okay. But you already have done it all for me. {JOON, CHAE} (Laughs)
{CHAEWON} Dear Naver NOW listeners. I should have
started listening earlier! {JOONGI} It’s fine. You’re supposed to feel
comfortable. {CHAEWON} I just cannot get the
temperature (tone) of this right. {JOONGI} The temperature is going up
and down. It goes back and forth between hot and cold, or lukewarm. {CHAEWON} Okay, guys. This is so REAL and since my voice is
coming out the way it really is, I wonder if people find it fun.
{JOONGI} It’s so funny to me. I think all our listeners are loving it so much.
Because this is so funny. When people think of you, Moon Chae Won, they assume
you are always calm. {CHAEWON} Yes. {JOONGI} But
I know that you are actually a very adorable and cheerful person. {CHAEWON} (Laughs) {JOONGI} I’m so looking forward to
this. See? You can laugh like that.(57:16
~{JOONGI} I am just going to share
some feedback from fans, you can listen to it and follow it up [with your own
response]. {CHAEWON} Okay. {JOONGI} So we have
something like, “Do-Cha couple, long time no see. I love you so much, Moon Chae
Won. So nice to see you again. Moon Chae Won, you are just so fun as you are,
so you don’t have to do anything. Just talk a lot please.” Okay okay? {CHAEWON} Yes yes yes. {JOONGI} So let’s make it
brief. Let’s do the greetings over. {JOON, CHAE} (Laughs) {JOONGI} Let’s focus
on the keyword ‘Flower of Evil.’ In Flower of Evil… Please say something as if
you’re promoting our drama. {CHAEWON} Our drama… As I
remember it, we finished the filming on September 19. I am very happy and very
grateful that those who watched the drama joined the radio show today and say
they’re still missing the drama. Thanks to the drama, and thanks to you, I get
to be on the radio through Naver NOW. It’s going to be a very unforgettable
night. {JOONGI} Wow. {CHAEWON} I really tried my
best. {JOONGI} Like you were forced to! {CHAEWON}
No, I didn’t feel forced… {JOONGI} … You weren’t, though, right? {CHAEWON} I just wanted to avoid making any mistakes, and at
the same time, I wanted to express how I’m feeling. I was trying to come up
with some fancy words to express it. {JOONGI} You shouldn’t try so hard
to look cool, though. For an occasion like this, you’d better look natural. {CHAEWON} Ah, really? {JOONGI} Natural. I am not doing
that [looking cool] either. Today, I’m not doing anything like, ‘I am an
actor.’ {CHAEWON} Hm, ah, guys, I am now… {JOONGI}
You already showed people how you are as an actor in the drama. That was just
enough. {CHAEWON} Right now, I am literally lying down.
{JOONGI} Right. (laughs) {CHAEWON} You mean
something like this? {JOONGI} Something like that. You sound very
relaxed, and in a very, um, comfortable and stable position. {CHAEWON} Yup. I’m lying down right now. {JOONGI} We
got comments like “Detective Cha, don’t be too nervous.” {CHAEWON} “Nervous.” {JOONGI} We’re also getting
comments like, “Chat sounds SO REAL,” “Chaewon, you did such hard work.” {CHAEWON} Wow, thank you. {JOONGI} Reading the
comments right now, I see so many people are missing the Flower of Evil couple.
“Flower of Evil was so great. You guys are now the real-life version of Do-Cha
Couple. Chaewon, your voice sounds so sweet.” You sound sweet, right? {CHAEWON} Nope. {JOONGI} No? {CHAEWON}
Nope. (59:59
~{JOONGI} It has not been so long since
Flower of Evil ended. Like two months… But it’s already been two months, right?
{CHAEWON} Yup, two months. {JOONGI} Some people
still feel very sad about it, I can feel so much love from so many. They say
“Your acting was so great.” {CHAEWON} Yes. {JOONGI} It was a very tough time for
you. {CHAEWON} This time, yes. {JOONGI} Working
with me for a second time on a project that is this heavy… {CHAEWON} Yes. {JOONGI} How was it? I guess you must
have felt something different. I watched Chaewon always so immersing herself in
[her character] and struggling to maintain the emotion she had [at the moment].
So I wonder; I think viewers wonder what it was like. {CHAEWON}
Right. I thought it was very meaningful and in a good way we were meant to work
together for a second time. But I had never played a married person. I mean,
I’ve done one or two projects where I ended up getting married or something,
but I had never done a drama where I start out as a married person and have a
child. {JOONGI} Right. {CHAEWON} Still, there is
some significant feeling that comes with such a conceit. So, to me, it was a
very enjoyable experience to do that kind of thing with Joongi. Actually, after
I finished it, after those few months of working hard without a break, I felt
rather sorry about not having been able to create even better memories by
interacting more and having more fun with you – even though the drama itself
had so many tough emotions to handle. And so many people loved it, too. {JOONGI}
That’s right. I mean, very early in the drama, you learned that my husband was,
in fact, Do Hyun Soo. From that moment on, Chaewon led the way in expressing
those very tough emotions. So I was actually very worried that Chaewon might
collapse or something. But she toughed it out so well. She toughed it out and
handled it so well. I think that made viewers very happy. You did such hard
work. {CHAEWON} You did such hard work, as well,
together, seriously. (62:32
~{JOONGI} In particular, as for
Flower of Evil, Chaewon you recommended it to me, saying it’s a great project..
{CHAEWON} Right, right. {JOONGI} And you gave me
enough strength for me to make my decision to do it. So personally, I am very
grateful to you. {CHAEWON} Heh! {JOONGI} Heh?
Okay, then. The second project you did with me. You loved it. Then are you
willing to work with actor Lee Joon Gi for a third time? {CHAEWON} Sure, I’d love it. {JOONGI} In which genre would you
like for us to reunite? {CHAEWON} Genre? With you, I
worked on this police procedural called Criminal Minds. This [Flower of Evil]
was a melodrama. {JOONGI} Then you already have the answer. {CHAEWON} And next… what answer do we have? {JOONGI} Like
something historical… Or. {CHAEWON} Historical drama
next? {JOONGI} Exactly, historical drama sounds great, doesn’t it? We
already talked about this before. Like, “How about a historical drama?” “How
about reuniting on a historical drama?” {CHAEWON} A
romantic comedy, too. {JOONGI} I’d love a romantic comedy, as well. {CHAEWON} Yes, but historical drama? Right, there are so many
fans who love your historical dramas so much. {JOONGI} Same goes for
you, though. {CHAEWON} For me, too, fans remember and
love me a lot when I do historical dramas. So if we were to reunite on one…
{JOONGI} How about a historical drama plus romantic comedy? {CHAEWON} Sounds like a really great genre. {JOONGI}
But we can also do something more lighthearted. Of course, Chaewon you have
played more easygoing and adorable characters before, right? {CHAEWON} Yes. {JOONGI} So if we get to work together
again [on a more lighthearted project] I guess we can create synergy. Surely,
we love playing more serious roles where we continuously explore deep emotions.
But we love lighthearted roles, too, don’t we? {CHAEWON}
Yes, exactly. {JOONGI} Right now, the comments are chanting in unison:
“Historical drama, historical drama, we are so looking forward to the two of
you being in a historical drama.” {CHAEWON} Really, I
think I would love it if we get to reunite on a project like that.
{JOONGI} Then how about making a public pledge? If a great historical drama
comes along, {CHAEWON} Hmm. {JOONGI} Do-Cha will
reunite in a historical drama. {CHAEWON} Oh, yes.
{JOONGI} ‘If a great historical drama comes along, I am willing to work with
Lee Joon Gi again. I am willing to do it.’ {CHAEWON}
Yes, I am. {JOONGI} Hooray. You said it. On the record. It’s done. Guys,
please record this. It’s on the record. (65:17
~{JOONGI} Now, we’ve got many fans
joining us because of Flower of Evil. There are some people who have just become
fans of Flower of Evil. {CHAEWON} I see. {JOONGI}
So for those viewers, is there any scene you would recommend? Or even for those
who already watched it. There are a number of different scenes. Earlier, I
picked one scene, as well. Like any scene that made you tear up or you love? Is
there any scene you would personally recommend? {CHAEWON}
Mmm… For me, the scene where we are under the cherry blossom trees. {JOONGI}
Ah~ {CHAEWON} Yes, I’d recommend that scene, and also
the scene where we are under the eaves trying to stay out of the rain. Like the
‘good old days.’ Personally, instead of the sad scenes where we have these
emotions running so deep, I would recommend the scenes that are more
heart-touching and happier. {JOONGI} Right, when those scenes later lead
to sad emotions and overlap with [sad present-day scenes] until we reach the devastating
moment, those very ‘good old days’ feel rather more heart-touching. {CHAEWON} Right. {JOONGI} I cry a lot watching those
scenes overlap like that. {CHAEWON} That’s right. {JOONGI}
Why do they have to go through such an ordeal? {CHAEWON}
But – exactly because they had those times [good old days], they can endure it.
{JOONGI} Exactly. We talked about how we wished we could’ve filmed more past
date scenes. {CHAEWON} Yes. (66:59
~{JOONGI} Right. I have your phone
number as ‘Actor Moon Chae Won – Cha Ji Won.’ {CHAEWON}
Yes. {JOONGI} This is just a personal question, but what did you save my
number as? {CHAEWON} ‘Actor Moon Chae Won – Cha Ji Won’?
{JOONGI} Yup. {CHAEWON} That’s very… {JOONGI}
Next time we reunite, it will be your next character. {CHAEWON}
Isn’t that very businesslike? {JOON, CHAE} (Laughs) {CHAEWON} I mean… {JOONGI} Then what about you? What
did you save mine as? {CHAEWON} Um… {JOONGI}
See? You’re embarrassed. See? {CHAEWON} No, no, no, no.
You want me to take a screenshot and send it to you? {JOONGI} You’re
going to send me a screenshot of it? Sure. Okay. Be honest. {CHAEWON} I have yours as ‘Lee Joon Gi Oppa.’ {JOONGI}
‘Lee Joon Gi Oppa’? {CHAEWON} Yes. It says not ‘Actor
Lee Joon Gi,’ but ‘Lee Joon Gi Oppa.’ {JOONGI} Okay. Then I will put
yours as ‘Sister Moon Chae Won.’ {CHAEWON} Wait, there
is one more letter after that: Lee Joon Gi dot [“.”] {JOONGI} Dot? {CHAEWON} Yes, as in ‘period.’… {JOONGI} How come you
didn’t put a star or a heart, why ‘dot’? You’re too extreme. {CHAEWON} I still think it’s better than ‘Actor Moon Chae
Won’ {JOONGI} Why? There’s Cha Ji Won after… Okay, I’m going to put a
heart after it then. {CHAEWON} Yes, so that’s how I
saved yours. {JOONGI} Lastly, today… Honestly, though, I want to keep
talking to Chaewon, but Chaewon now sounds sleepy. You should go to bed now. {CHAEWON} That’s right. {JOONGI} Lastly, our show’s
title is ‘Lee Joon Gi DREAM.’ Please say something to our listeners before you
go. I think we should wrap this up, right? {CHAEWON}
Ah. Does it mean Lee Joon Gi’s dream, then? {JOONGI} Right. It’s DREAM
and a dream. {CHAEWON} Dear listeners, today you could
not see me, I am not on the ‘visible’ radio, but it’ll be great if I can watch
this broadcast later. Anyway, I was very happy to see you guys. I got to
connect with Joongi oppa’s fans and those fans who loved the drama, so I had so
much fun these 20 minutes. {JOONGI} I see. Did you have fun? {CHAEWON} Everyone, have sweet dreams. {JOONGI} Can
you make it sound sweeter? {CHAEWON} I cannot do that
myself. You are going to do it when you wrap this up. {JOONGI} Like,
‘Nighty night, guys,” like ASMR. {CHAEWON} Oppa, I
really cannot do it, it gives me goosebumps. {JOONGI} You are so
down-to-earth, anyway. Okay, then. Thank you very much for joining us today.
It’s so late at night, but thank you so, so much for helping me out and taking
the time to join us today. I will treat you to something delicious. {CHAEWON} Hehehe. Okay. {JOONGI} Chaewon, have sweet
dreams. {CHAEWON} Okay. {JOONGI} Good night and
keep in touch. {CHAEWON} Okay I will. Everyone, goodbye.
{JOONGI} Okay, bye. Thank you. (70:08 ~So we talked for 17 minutes 34
seconds. Who’s going to pay the phone bill? Normally, the production staff make
phone calls like this. But by doing this myself, I can make this look more
real. That’s why I called her using my phone. When I read comments earlier,
some said, “You have a Taegukgi (Korea’s national flag) [on your phone].’ It’s
from my fans. It’s a sticker my fans gifted me. Saying that I should always
carry this like a cultural ambassador. This is also from my fans. That was my
TMI. Okay, I will always work hard with the mindset of a cultural ambassador.
Moon Chae Won, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I think many of you
enjoyed it. It was very real, wasn’t it? That’s how we usually talk on the
phone. We tease each other as well. Chaewon laughs, looking so down to earth.
When you watch her in the behind-the-scenes or in broadcasts, you might think
Chaewon is very introverted, but she is, in fact, very enthusiastic, very
forward-looking, and very considerate of others. So when we are on the phone,
we sometimes end up talking for over 40 minutes. We sometimes talk for such a
long time because she is very attentive and such a great listener. Please show
your support and love for Moon Chae Won, as well. From the bottom of my heart,
thank you, Moon Chae won, for joining us. Now that we talked about Flower of
Evil and talked with Moon Chae won, let me gift you a song. Masterpieces
usually come with great songs. That’s why I have a Flower of Evil OST ready for
you. Let’s hear Shin Yong Jae’s “Feel You” from Flower of Evil. (72:08
~Song: “FEEL YOU” by Shin Yong Jae (노래 = 08:08 ~
11:35, 3m27s*(75:36
~ Ah. It’s a great song. They say
masterpieces come with great songs. We are back. You’ve been listening to Shin
Yong Jae’s “Feel You.” I kept laughing reading the comments, because it seems you
guys really couldn’t imagine I’d call Moon Chae Won. Right now the comments
say, “We want to hear from the other actors too,” “Can you please sing the song
yourself?” “I wish Moon Chae Won talked a bit more,” “Do-Cha Couple is so
lovely.” Yes, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Well, I’m glad I did [call
her]. There was a poll going on earlier, right? Yes, we had this poll window
[on the screen]. Surprise quiz in celebration of me winning two AAA awards.
AAA, right. Winner of two awards. That’s right, I won two awards. But the photo
that appeared during the vote. While the song was playing, you saw the photo on
the screen, right? So we ran a poll about what awards ceremony this photo was
from. Some people voted for something completely nonsensical. Cuteness Awards
Ceremony. Why did you do that? Were you that desperate for attention… Well, you
got my attention. I wonder who voted for it. Anyway, I sincerely thank you for
thinking that I’m cute. The answer is, it’s from the 2016 drama wards. A total
of 94 per… Ah, this is percentage. Sorry, I was like, how come so few people
voted? Aha, 3 percent of you voted for the Cuteness Awards. Okay, 1 percent
voted for the Extroverted INFP People Awards. And 1 percent for the
Exceptionally Introverted Awards… Really! I am not that exceptionally
introverted. Well, tsk, fine, I am an introvert. Anyway, yes, the answer is the
2016 SBS Drama Awards ceremony. To those who got the answer right, thank you so
much. It’s weird some of you didn’t get this right, but the funny wrong answers
are also welcome.(77:58
~Ah, this is the new system NOW has
just created. This… Hm, it’s not much of a surprise, but anyway, it’s fun.
Quite fun. Yes, this poll system… So did you all get to participate in the
poll? Maybe you guys were so mesmerized by the Do-Cha Couple’s voices that you
are still not back in the real world. Some of you probably couldn’t participate
in the poll. They must be feeling very bad now. We have more polls ready so you
can participate later on. So make sure to participate. You can participate by
clicking on the poll window. It was a photo from the 2016 Drama Awards. I was
also not so sure, so looking at the photo, I was like, ‘When was this?’ [** The song ‘For You’ starts playing **]
Hmm, the song’s playing right now. Yes, I was there for “Moon Lovers: Scarlet
Heart Ryeo.” Just hearing the song alone brings back the memories of that time.
We, Team Moon Lovers, had such great teamwork. Back at the SBS Drama Awards,
many people envied us and were surprised, seeing the camaraderie our team had,
and we also got compliments from other related staff. We truly enjoyed it. We
shot the drama for about a year. So we got to share so many things and make so
many memories. Yes, thanks to you guys who loved the love story of Moon Lovers
and those heartwarming stories in it, we really had a great time. Recently,
through Flower of Evil, after watching Flower of Evil… Yes, through actor Lee
Joon Gi. Many people started watching Moon Lovers.(79:49
~So after watching Flower of Evil,
they started binge-watching [Moon Lovers] – these days, people call it
“binge-watching for the nth time” or something like that. Many of them say they
became fans after watching Moon Lovers. I mean, it’s been 4 years! The fact
that we are still getting such a great response is such a blessing. I want to
thank our Lee Ji Eun [IU], our fellow actors, the director, and the production
staff who worked with me. Just among us, we always say we are grateful. Moon
Lovers, in particular, has a lot of fans in Korea, but it has a global fandom
as well. Even now, it is getting so much love. As for me, I got younger fans,
like middle- and high-school students? I even saw some elementary school
students becoming fans of mine. I was truly surprised by how Moon Lovers was
watched by such diverse groups of people. Personally, for me, it was like a big
gift that really diversified my fan base. Ah, is it among the most watched on
Netflix now? Wow, I hope our Flower of Evil soon becomes like that, too.
(Laughs) Please show your support for Flower of Evil. Anyway, when it comes to
Moon Lovers. Yes, do you want me to? Want me to do something in ASMR style?
Then I’m going to do the best line from Moon Lovers. For those who are still
missing Wang So. Hm hm. It’s from the last episode, right? That line from the
finale. [**JG speaks as Wang So**]
“If we are not from the same world, I will find you. My Soo.” (Laughs). Save.
Pretty good, wasn’t it? Because the mic is so good, my voice comes out great,
too.(81:50
~Yes, so it [Moon Lovers] is the
quintessence of rediscovery. [** ‘yeok-ju-haeng’
is a popular Korean term that refers to old stuff getting rediscovered or
receiving newfound popularity **] (Laughs) People are so hyped. Great,
let’s go. It’s getting hot, so I am going to take this off before we continue.
Looks like you guys loved it [**JG’s
reading of Wang So’s line ASMR-style**] [**JG takes off his jacket**] Ah, now it’s better. It seems many of
you really love it. Was it good? (Laughs) I haven’t played Wang So in a long
time, so I felt a little awkward. I wonder if it was good. Yes, some call it
the ‘Joon Gi Universe,’ or the universe of the Joon Gi works. I see you guys
are so looking forward to it. There are comments like: “You have a honey
voice,” “Dear Wang So,” “It’s like you sprinkled sugar over my ears,” “My heart
exploded.” The chat window is going so wild right now. Yes, Wang So is so
popular. Since many of you were looking forward to it. And since I haven’t
spoken in that voice in a long while. I felt awkward, but it seems you guys
loved it.(83:24
~Now, Joon Gi’s Universe. Let us talk
about the universe of Joon Gi’s works. Joon Gi Universe. What should we talk
about next? It’s been a while, so shall we bring our Nouncer back out? Nouncer,
please come out. {NOUNCER: Take a look at the following
comment, and name what work it refers to.} {JOONGI} Here is the comment.
Yes. It’s appearing on the screen now. It looks too small to me, I can’t see it
clearly. I will make it bigger. Yes. On the screen… Now it’s bigger. [** A comment shows up on the screen **] “A
timeless masterpiece you can’t just praise enough.” “One and only in the truest
sense of the term. Just a timeless masterpiece.” Yes, OOOO wrote this 4 years
ago. (Laughs) It’s been a long time. Yes, this comment. 4 years ago. From OOOO.
Wow. What work is it referring to? What do you think it is? Just looking at
this first comment. Ah, many say it’s Time Between Dog and Wolf. Moon Lovers?
Time Between Dog and Wolf? King and the Clown? Right now, many comments say
Time Between Dog and Wolf. Moon Lovers comes second, followed by King and the
Clown. Yes, of course, there are still good works that are not being mentioned
here. Second hint. [** Song ‘Fate’ starts
playing **] Now, you are hearing the background music. It’s much easier
now. Yes, “The one and only 10-million audience movie in the truest sense of
the term.” Yes, do you guys get it? Do you get it now? Yes, comments are coming
in. King and the Clown, King and the Clown, King and the Clown, King and the
Clown, King and the Clown. King and Clown. That’s correct, guys. It’s the work
that’s an integral part of the Joon Gi Universe. King and the Clown.(85:38
~Korean cinema has now grown so much
and there are many brilliant movies that drew more than 10 million moviegoers.
But I remember it [King and the Clown] was such a sensation and received so
much love. King and the Clown is a work that’s like part and parcel of me. It
is a work that made actor Lee Joon Gi widely known to the public. Hm, how
should I put this? To me, it is a blessing. Those who started loving me back in
the King and the Clown era – they still believe in me, cheer me on, and love
me. It’s a work that made me known as an actor who receives so much love in and
outside of Korea. It’s also a work that let the whole world know about the
beauty of Korean cinema. There’s a lot more. Back then, I received so much
love. So much so that I wonder if I will ever get to enjoy days like those
again. Will I ever get to enjoy days like those again? Of course, I just have
to keep striving and working hard to do projects like that. Really, I was so
lucky to be part of the work. Through that work, I met you guys. It came out in
December 2005. I remember it stayed in theatres for a very long time, until
well into 2006. Because so many people asked it to. Seriously. Yes, it received
so much love. I remember it played in theatres for a long time. Also, back
then, I still remember this fan who watched King and the Clown 48 times in
theatres. The fan brought all her admission tickets to prove it. Many people
watched it so many times. Will I ever get to receive such love again? With a
movie? I remember asking myself that. There are several other things I
remember. I also remember all of us watching it standing at Daehan Cinema. At
the time, there were so many people… In fact, there was something like a craze
for the movie. So it probably won’t happen again, but at the time, there
weren’t enough seats available in the theatre, we were all watching it standing.
It was so packed that even the buses coming out of the theatre were shaking.
Even when the actors were leaving, they could not really move because it was
crowded with so many people. Yeah, I remember those things. It was like, I felt
like a rock star. I remember receiving so much love. There must be so many
other records.(88:12
~So about King and the Clown,
Nouncer, our AI Nouncer has something to say. Let’s hear it, shall we?
{NOUNCER: These are the actual records of the polls you
topped at the time. Listen carefully, and pick your favorite No. 1: No. 1 in
the Netizens’ Choice of Fairy Tale Princes; No. 1 in the Celebs You Want to Get
a Congratulatory Kiss from When You Become a Grownup; No. 1 in the Celebs You
Want to Bring Along on the Way to Your Hometown during Korean Lunar New Year
Holidays; No. 1 in the Best Devoted Men of the Era; No. 1 in the Most Precious
Men on the Small Screen; and No. 1 in the Celebs Who Have the Most BGMs on
Cyworld.} {JOONGI} Hmm, there were so many back then. My favorite No. 1.
I like all of them, though. I like that fairy tale prince thing, and the man
you want to get a congratulatory kiss from. Back then I… Many people feel sad
about it now, but back then, we used to have a thing called Cyworld. The one
who had the most BGMs on Cyworld, 5,031 songs. I bought some of them, but at
the time, many many fans visited my page. They gifted me a lot of Dotori [** acorns; virtual currency used on Cyworld**]
and gifted me a lot of songs, as well. I remember I couldn’t accept all of
those gifts so I actually had to set a day aside to check and accept all those
tokens of love from my fans, one by one. One more thing, actually. This is
something I want to brag about. I think mine was the most visited Cyworld page
at the time. Of all pages. I am not sure if I still have the screenshot of that
[record]. It was incredible. Also, not just the total number of visits, but I
also had an almost record-breaking number of daily visits from members. It was
monumental. I was sort of proud of that kind of thing at the time. But I felt
sad when hearing the news of Cyworld shutting down. It has so many memories I
shared with my fans back then, so I feel very sad. Very sad, indeed. I made
ilchons [friends] as well. I had ilchons, as well. Some comments say ‘ilchon.’
Yes, of course. At the time, when I received ilchon requests, I accepted a lot
of them. I would exchange a lot of messages with my fans, too. So that’s what
happened.(90:24
~“Oppa, are you sleepy?” Nope, I am
not. I am not sleepy at all. On the contrary, I was thinking hard, wondering
what I should do to talk faster and say all the things [I want to say]. “The
number of visits to your Instagram page is about the same as the number you had
for your Cyworld page.” Oh, really? Hm, really? Still, it was an incredible
number at the time. So I like all of those, but my favorite is ‘The one who had
the most BGMs on Cyworld.’ Also, ah. I like them all, at the time. Also, Naver
back then. Now that I am here on Naver. Naver’s most searched persons. You
know, [persons] topping daily charts. I remember topping the charts for like 40
something weeks. Nobody has mentioned it yet. I’m disappointed. Can’t you look
it up, Naver? Some data, please? There should be some records of me topping the
daily most searched person charts then. Yes, I think there should be. Anyway,
the Joon Gi Universe. King and the Clown. That good old King and the Clown.
Such a blessing to me. Filled with precious memories I shared with you guys. So
we talked about King and the Clown.(91:29
~Next work from the Joon Gi Universe.
Please show us a comment. Give us a comment. “Boaster Joon Gi.” “Boaster Joon
Gi.” (Laughs) [** A comment shows **]
“Final…” Yes, the next work from the Joon Gi Universe. Hint: “Withdrawals from
that final episode are real. Just thinking about it even now makes my heart
ache.” Yes, OOO. It was posted 3 years ago. What work is this referring to? It
is a very hard question. Now, you guys are saying, Moon Lovers, Moon Lovers,
Time Between Dog and Wolf, Time Between Dog and Wolf, Moon Lovers. Yes, it
looks like Moon Lovers is dominating. But we already talked about Moon Lovers.
So think a little more please. “It just came to mind and I started
binge-watching it. I feel like I watched a 16-hour movie.” Oh, I won’t say the
nickname. [** The nickname shown here is
‘Gae-sae,’ which is shorthand for ‘Gae-sae-kki,’ meaning son of a bitch; also,
‘gae’ = dog, ‘sae’ = bird in Korean **]. The nickname has, um, a mix of my
favorite animals, I guess? (Laughs). Now, guys, here’s the background music.
You get it, don’t you? That’s right. You should know by now. Those who just
recently became fans of mine probably have no idea. Yes, that’s right. It’s
“Time Between Dog and Wolf.” Doesn’t it make your heart ache just hearing this
background music? Sometimes, I watch Time Between Dog and Wolf on YouTube while
drinking beer and, yes, I cry a lot. In particular, when watching Episode 12,
or Episode 14. About that heartbreaking life of Soo Hyun. Yes, watching my performance.
I know it’s a bit pathetic crying while watching my own performances. (Laughs)
But I really cry a lot, a lot. Do you guys also feel the same way when you
watch it again? I think Time Between Dog and Wolf was a sort of turning point
for me.(93:48
~There is this article dated December
25, 2005. “Lee Joon Gi, leading star of ‘My Girl,’ has topped Internet searches
for 8 consecutive days, demonstrating his rise in popularity.” So I topped the
searches for 8 consecutive days. In “My Girl,” I played a second male lead. In
fact, in that drama, I played a sort of, how should I put this, a devoted
chaebol guy? So I was playing that kind of role. It was sort of an androgynous
character. A bit androgynous and pretty. But at the same time, a most tough guy
when it came to love. Seo Jung Woo, right? It’s a very precious work of mine in
that romantic comedies have become nonexistent [in my filmography] since.
Following that drama, I needed a turning point in terms of acting. Then, like
by a stroke of fate, came along the script of Time Between Dog and Wolf. It was
the work that cast ‘Actor Lee Joon Gi’ in a new light, and I also think that
was actually the reason I chose to be part of it. More specifically, by this
time, I had received an explosive amount of love for being a pretty boy, like a
gentle and tender guy having long hair and an androgynous charm. Then I
thought, I want to be seen more as an ‘actor.’ Sure, as a male actor, there are
several different things you can be seen as, but I thought, seriously, it was
about time I had tried different other things and taken risks in terms of
acting; otherwise I might fall behind. At the time, I worried a lot about this.
It was at this time that I came across this script, and the script was
entitled, ‘Time Between Dog and Wolf.’ Even now, after we already found out how
it ends, the title is still cool, but when I first saw it, I thought, “Wow, it
is such a cool title.” It has so many meanings behind it, and I could
immediately sense the good versus evil conflict from the script. So the moment
I started reading it, the scripts – synopses – for episodes 1, 2, 3, and 4 read
so smoothly, and I flew through them. Right after reading the synopses, I just
completely made up my mind to do it.(96:09
~Also, a meeting with director Kim
Jin Min also left me more convinced. I remember back then, I was told,
“Shouldn’t you take on more film work?” “Why would you take risks in the
drama?” “It’s so tough. Dramas are not easy,” “You need more experience before
doing it.” But for me, it was a tremendous challenge. Yes, it was during this
time that I did a rethinking of how to approach acting. It became a turning
point where I learned a lot. Yes, I received a lot of love, as well. Yes,
that’s right. (Laughs) Yes, [Soo Hyun] also ranks among the most pitiful
characters I’ve played. (Laughs) All my characters are so pitiful. Yes, it’s a
salt flat. It’s a salt flat. For all my characters. [** Pitiful characters make you cry. Tears are salty. Hence the ‘salt flat’
metaphor **] My fans always tell me, “I want our actor to live a good life,
with both parents alive, looking neat and tidy and cool.” Someday I will play
roles like that. I think from this time on, my aspirations as an actor became
greater. I started giving a sort of ‘sincere’ performances where I threw myself
around and poured all of my passion in it, and director Kim Jin Min helped me a
lot with this. Back then, director Kim Jin Min had a very strong personality.
When it came to the drama, I was still not so… I was not yet flexible when it
came to this drama-making system. I got scolded a lot by the director, but also
I learned a lot from him. Time Between Dog and Wolf had the script and
directing that maximized those skills and potential that I had in me, and I
think it was made possible by the help I got from so many people. At the time,
all the actors were rising stars, weren’t they? Rising. There were Jung Kyung
Ho, Nam Sang Mi. I had lots of help from them. Personally, I think Time Between
Dog and Wolf is a truly brilliant drama that can stand the test of time. It was
the sort of noir drama that I doubt can ever be made again in Korea. As far as
I know, it was the first noir picture to ever be made in [Korean] drama
history. The character with such a turbulent life. Seriously. The life of a man
who’s standing on the edge of a cliff. Things like that. I think actors tend to
have this strong desire to play that kind of role. Back then, I think I was
hesitant [to take on that role] because I was so scared. But yes, it was such a
great drama.(98:47
~Okay, then. “Oppa, your dramas are
all masterpieces.” “Is this program going on all night?” Ah, is it boring?
(Laughs) Is it boring? No, it’s not going on all night. What is it? What time
is it? Guys, did you all vote? Yes. [**Poll
on screen – “The most pitiful of all characters (played by JG)?”: Wang So from
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo 67%, Do Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil 15%, Jang
Tae San from Two Weeks 6%, Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf 6%, Yong
from Iljimae 4% **] (Laughs) Yes, did you love Soo Hyun and Kay so much?
“Look at his shoulders,” yes, that’s right. “Actor who is the best at
portraying pitiful characters.” Yes, that’s right. Ah. Characters that live
turbulent lives, characters that touch your hearts, and characters that live on
salt flats – all played by Lee Joon Gi and his Universe. Who is the most
pitiful character? Who is your choice? Yes, Yong from Iljimae got 4%. Ah, Yong
is also very… Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf got 6%. Do Hyun Soo
from Flower of Evil, wait, Jang Tae San from Two Weeks got 6%. Oh, they got the
same percentage, didn’t they? Do Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil got 15%. Wang So
from Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo got 67%. (Laughs) You know what’s so funny
here? All these five characters are just so too much. [**JG talking to himself**] How come, of all the characters, you chose
these? Seriously. You are truly one of a kind, really. I mean, really, all of
them have some brushes with death. This is so… If I had had to shoot all these
dramas in a single year, I probably wouldn’t be here. (Laughs) So what if I had
a choice? Wow, all these are really… After finishing all these dramas, I got
eye infections; I got fevers; and I got fractures too. Anyway, I think I ended
up in bad shape after finishing each of these dramas. Ah, of course, as for
Flower of Evil, it was mentally exhausting as well. As for the rest of the
dramas, I was really in bad shape [right after finishing them]. But for me… The
most pitiful character? They are all so poor, though. But if I had to choose
one, I think I like Yong from Iljimae the most. Because… Ah, “like”? I mean, it
was so sad. He saw his sister executed right before his eyes. And his father,
too, dies right before his eyes. He’s really watched all those heartbreaking
situations right before his eyes. Since such a young age, no less. Since a
young age, he’s witnessed the death of his own father and also the death of the
other father who raised him as his own child. Also, just after he has barely
reunited with his biological sister, he sees her executed right before his
eyes. It’s just too much. I just couldn’t survive if I were Yong. To this day,
just thinking about him makes me tear up.(101:30
~Yes, Wang So from Moon Lovers:
Scarlet Heart Ryeo, whom most of you chose, is also very pitiful. For me,
though… that’s right. Now (laughs) Do you want me to do that? You know, from
Time Between Dog and Wolf, how exactly does it go, my [voice-over] narration? I
can’t remember it well. How does it go? When the sun falls… Everything. I will
do that line for you, as a gift. I need to get out of Wang So. Um… “When the
sun falls, everything gets washed up red. And the silhouette that approaches
from those hills, whether it is the dog that I raised, or a wolf that comes to
hurt me. The time when I cannot tell. It is the time when both good and evil
can only be red.” (Laughs) I tripped over my words in the middle of it.
(Laughs) Yes, it’s supposed to feel a bit hesitant like this, right? I tripped
up a bit, though. But it’s okay. This style [of narrating] too. I haven’t done
it in a long time. It is a difficult narration. Now I got this comment, “Let us
do this all night.” Yes, I can do it. But you see, the camera directors and the
production staff here all have their own families [waiting for them at home] It
could get them in trouble. So yeah, no, we can’t. For me, I want to spend all
night with you guys. Should I just buy this place? If I get a great response
today, I will have a talk with Naver NOW and try to create another opportunity
to do this… Oh, the writer is Okay with it? I am having fun doing this. Yes, I
will think about it after seeing how you respond. Now I am going to play
another song. The reason I chose this particular song is actually, as I have
often told my fans. The very reason I have received so much love; I have done
such a variety of precious projects in such great environments; I have shared
and connected with you guys; I have felt such happiness; and I have lived such
a blessed life with you guys. That’s because you guys have stayed by my side,
right? So I wondered, how on earth did all these precious bonds that I have
with you guys begin? [**Korean word
“Inyeon” means fate, connection, tie/bond; it’s also the name of Lee Sun Hee’s
song for King and the Clown**] How could I ever measure the value of these
bonds? Where did all these come from? As I am now appreciating how precious all
these are and reminding myself of those bonds I have with every single one of
you, I find them more precious tonight. That’s why I have this song ready for
you. It’s a song by Lee Sun Hee. “Meet Him Among Them.” Let’s hear it, and I
will be right back.(104:18
~ 108:03)Song: “MEET HIM AMONG THEM” by Lee
Sun Hee(108:04
~I am back. Lee Joon Gi DREAM.
Presented by me and Naver NOW. Many of you love this song. I gifted you this
song several times personally on social media, too. Mmm. When I listen to this
song, I tear up for no reason, and I feel happy for no reason. And I think
about the gratitude I feel towards so many people without whom I wouldn’t exist
as I do right now in real life, and about how precious they are and how much
they mean to me. I also think about what kind of life I should live from now
on. In the end, I should continue to “walk” along with them. This is not the
kind of life you can make easily. That’s why I feel so much gratitude towards
them, and how precious they are, staying by my side. Because of Covid-19, I
felt sad as I spent a whole year finding it increasingly more difficult to have
those ordinary and precious everyday moments and connect with those people. How
precious those normal everyday moments were. Just how did we get to this point
where those are so badly missed? I really had precious moments with such
precious people. I think this year has been one that has made us all realize
such things. Personally, it made me feel a lot of things and reflect on myself.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, and hope you have a great rest of the
year, and stay healthy. Please always stay by my side. So, now, the comments:
“Can’t you be a regular host on NOW?” Regular host on NOW. I can’t really use
this expensive studio, but as I told you earlier, the writer keeps saying,
“Let’s do this again.” Anyway, I will leave it completely up to you to make it happen.
“I hope you continue to do this. I will wait. Red Ginseng Joongi, go on and
become a regular.” Ah, I also feel so happy interacting with you guys in such a
great environment. I am so happy. I hope we can spend more time together like
this. “I’d love it if you’d be a regular,” “Be a regular,” “Become a regular.”
Regular… Right now, the keyword in the chat is ‘regular.” The keyword ‘regular’
has become regular now. Thank you so very much. Thanks to your love, I get to
have a great time here like this. Now you guys are watching Lee Joon Gi DREAM
live.(111:54
~Now, on to the Character World Cup!
[**On screen: What’s Lee Joon Gi’s
favorite character?**] The segments we prepared today… I wonder if you guys
find them entertaining enough. This is something a lot of people do these days,
right? So, as an extension of the Joon Gi Universe, we will be doing this World
Cup of the characters in Lee Joon Gi’s filmography. Let’s do this My Favorite
Character World Cup. What is Lee Joon Gi’s favorite character? Originally, we
were supposed to start with a 32-team tournament, but we don’t have time.
(Laughs) So let us get right to the 8-team tournament. Hm. First, we have Lee
Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf, and Park Yoon Kang from Gunman in
Joseon. It’s a tight match between these two characters. Both of them are,
well, great. Yes, as for my favorite character. But as I told you earlier,
although both are very amazing characters, the character that is still loved so
much and from a work that became a turning point in my acting career – that is,
Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf – that’s the character that I will
never forget forever. So, it’s Lee Soo Hyun. Lee Soo Hyun wins. Advancing to
the next round. Next up, Gong Gil from King and the Clown, and Seo Jung Woo
from My Girl. What about you guys? What about you? For me, of course. Yes,
that’s right. The one that connected me to you guys, the link that connected us
together – from my life-changing work. Gong Gil from King and the Clown. Gong
Gil is moving up, on a tightrope. (Laughs) Next up. Next is also a tight match.
Historical drama versus historical drama. Wang So from Moon Lovers: Scarlet
Heart Ryeo, and Yong from Iljimae. This is so… Hmm. Iljimae is the
quintessential modern-day hero… Wait, no, the quintessential historical drama
hero. This is the kind of hero that is so rare in Korea. Ah, this is so tough.
Iljimae. Ah, seriously. As for Wang So, he touched the hearts of so many women.
Right now, Wang So is dominating the chat. Although many also say Yong. Yes,
Wang So from Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Today, I will go along with your
choice. Both are my favorite characters, though. Wang So advances.(114:47
~ Lastly, Do Hyun Soo from Flower of
Evil, and Bong Sang Pil from Lawless Lawyer. Of course, both are awesome, but
recently, in terms of the drama, or in terms of acting, thankfully so many
people gave such positive feedback and so many people are still in love with
him, right? Do Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil advances. So now, we just played the
8-team tournament. Are you guys happy with the result? Hmm, Do Hyun Soo, Do
Hyun Soo, Do Hyun Soo. That’s right, a lot of you say Do Hyun Soo. Mmm. As for
Bong Sang Pil, I had this thing. I mean, I lost a lot of weight because of this
drama, so I personally feel so emotionally attached to this character. Some of
the characters I played could have been just copies of my own work. In
particular, in the contemporary drama, if I end up looking like a hero, the
narrative, the depth, and the emotions that my character has could not be shown
but get buried. So I wanted to put more thought into it in different ways. In
playing Bong Sang Pil, I really put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into it.
Back then, many of you felt so bad for me. I think I had never lost so much
weight throughout my acting career as I did at that time. So yes, Bong Sang Pil
is also a favorite character of mine that I cannot ignore. The other day, at
the AAA awards, I met Yea Ji again. We received the awards together, and we
really had a lot of fun then. I remember saying to Yea Ji, “Hey, I wish we
could have been up here like this back in the Lawless Lawyer era.” In the end,
we were up there as male and female recipients of the Best Artist Award. So it
was then that I asked Yea Ji: “Can we walk arm in arm when we go up there? When
we walk onto the stage together? So we can use this as though we did it for
Lawless Lawyer.” (Laughs) So yeah, it was a sort of, sort of a wish come true. (117:02
~Yes, “What is it you are drinking
now?” What I am drinking right now is the fruit juice my fans sent me
earlier. An assortment of fruits are
dancing in it. Yes. Yes, it’s delicious. “You had great chemistry with Moon
Chae Won.” “You also had great chemistry with Hae Jae Yi.” Yes, thank you so
much. “Oppa’s big picture.” Yes, whenever I get up on the stage, I do things
like that because I want to show you guys something entertaining. Yea Ji is
also very…. How should I put this? I thought she might feel a bit awkward, so I
teased her a lot too. You know, Yea Ji has a great personality. So she took it
very well, saying, “Oppa, you are still the same goofball.” Now, we have the
4-team tournament ready. 4-team tournament. Which do you think is my favorite
character? We have four teams, four players: Lee Soo Hyun from TBDW, Wang So
from Moon Lovers, Gong Gil from King and the Clown, and Do Hyun Soo from Flower
of Evil. “Please say something in a dialect”? Why speaking a dialect all of a
sudden? Ah. [**JG speaks a dialect /
Busan accent because he’s from Busan, Korea**] So we have Lee Soo Hyun from
TBDAW and Wang So from Moon Lovers up against each other. (Laughs) I can’t do
it, trying to do it all of a sudden. So, the four-team tournament. Lee Soo Hyun
from TBDAW versus Wang So from Moon Lovers. This is a big match, big match. A
comment says, “This is like between the two highest peaks.” Wow, this is really
tough. What am I supposed to do? Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf,
Wang So from Moon Lovers. You guys are going wild right now. The comments say, Wang
So, Wang So, Wang So, Lee Soo Hyun, Lee Soo Hyun, Lee Soo Hyun. Wow, right now,
it’s so… It’s just gone wild for now. Yes, it is exactly like what’s going on
inside my head. This is exactly what’s going on inside my head. Wow. I’m dying
here. This is too much. This is too cruel. Seriously, this is too brutal. What
am I supposed to do? Help me out guys. Help me. This is really difficult. I
think I can spend the whole night just on this. (Laughs) How about this? Wang
So from Moon Lovers… The comments say, this is like the final. Wang So from
Moon Lovers has gotten so much love from you for the past 4 years. So let’s
have Wang So make room for his senior, Lee Soo Hyun. Although he himself is
from the Goryeo era. (Laughs) Yes, let Wang So make room for him. This feeling
of longing for Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and Wolf, hmm, deepens
tonight. Yes, I will hand a victory to Lee Soo Hyun from Time Between Dog and
Wolf, who might be working now as a spy in Paris, France. Yes, Wang So is
already getting so much love, so he can be a bit more generous. (120:16
~So now, King and the Clown versus Do
Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil. What am I supposed to do? Let me take a look at
the comments. Gong Gil from King and the Clown. From Flower of Evil. Wang So?
You guys are still talking about Wang So. Gong Gil from King and the Clown, Do
Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil. Yes, Gong Gil. Gong Gil has been sufficiently
loved. Yes. As I told you earlier, he represents my history. So Do Hyun Soo,
from Flower of Evil. “Gong Gil Do Hyun Soo.” (Laughs) Do Hyun Soo from Flower
of Evil. I want to give one more vote to Do Hyun Soo who’s getting love from
you now. So by one vote, Hyun Soo advances. So we are down to Lee Soo Hyun from
TBDAW and Do Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil. Coincidentally, these two are both
from contemporary dramas. Hmm, I didn’t even think about this. I’m a complete
idiot. Right. (Laughs) Many of you are saying Do Hyun Soo, though. Hmm. Even
though they’re both from contemporary dramas, I really found this difficult. I
mean, in Time Between Dog and Wolf, I suffer memory loss, and then I start on
undercover work and suffer an identity crisis before I finally get my memory
back. Likewise, in Flower of Evil, I receive this assessment called anti-social
personality disorder and live without knowing what emotions are, but Hyun Soo
could have been a sufficiently good ‘flower’ if he had been loved and raised in
a good environment. It was so hard and I felt a sort of obsession and weight in
giving a delicate portrayal of him. But anyway, I found it so hard but also
thrilling to express those psychological states both characters are in. Actors
are like that. When you guys relate to [my character] psychologically and feel
the heartache and confusion along with me, I feel a tremendous sense of delight
and achievement. (122:34
~So now, we are down to the final
match, guys. Final match. Lee Soo Hyun from TBDAW and Do Hyun Soo from Flower
of Evil. Hmm. What is your choice? Hmm, Do Hyun Soo. Lee Soo Hyun. “For me,
it’s Lee Soo Hyun, Lee Soo Hyun.” “It’s so tough I love it.” (Laughs) “I loved
it because it was tough.” “Soo Hyun is a character you can’t do if you are not
a good actor.” That’s right. “It’s so tough, tough, really tough. Do Hyun Soo,
Soo Hyun, Lee Soo Hyun, Do Hyun Soo.” I just had a quick look, and ah, of
course. Yes, good. This is the choice I’m going to make. A comment says, “Do
Hyun Soo Hyun.” (Laughs) I’m speechless. Yes. The winner is Do Hyun Soo Hyun,
from Flower of Time Between Dog and Wolf. (Laughs). Heartfelt congratulations
to Do Hyun Soo Hyun, Flower of Time Between Dog and Wolf. Isn’t that brilliant?
Hmm, my choice is. Many of you made that choice too. To an actor who is now
thirty something years old – because I do not like revealing my age – as an
actor who is now thirty something and who has been around for 20 years since
his debut, to actor Lee Joon Gi, he brought this new flower into bloom and has
since been loved by you guys – that is, Do Hyun Soo from Flower of Evil! Is my
final decision. Heartfelt congratulations to Do Hyun Soo, Flower of Evil.
(Claps) Fanfare. Bbam bba ra bam. Bbam bbam bbam, bbam bba ra bam. Chuuuuu
congratulations. Yup, hi, this is Do Hyun Soo.(124:24
~ / background music “FEEL YOU”)Thank you, from the bottom of my
heart. (Laughs) I never thought I would receive an award like this. Ji Won,
this is all thanks to you. Ji Won, I will hurry back home. (Laughs) To our
director Kim Chul Gyu, who allowed me to play Do Hyun Soo, writer Yoo Jung Hee,
and CP Yoo Sang Won, from Studio Dragon, to Moon Chae Won, Jang Hee jin, Seo
Hyun Woo, Kim Ji Hun, and other senior, junior, fellow actors, the production
team, and the staff. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. (Claps) Guys,
please continue to watch Flower of Evil multiple times. Flower of Evil gets
even greater when you watch it several times. (Laughs) “Do you want me to tell
you? What kind of person I am?” (Laughs) So yeah, so I played this World Cup
segment that apparently many people do these days, but it’s so tough. Just for
no reason. It’s not that fun, but it’s tough. (Laughs) Next time, I will
prepare an even better segment. But it was really tough for me. Seriously. Wow,
because I had to choose quickly while doing this live. Anyway. Thank you, the
production staff, for allowing me to reminisce about these great characters and
relive those memories with my fans. We have a lot of segments ready today, but
it’s already midnight. Hmm. I knew it. I told you I am like that. I don’t know.
It’s 12:09 a.m. now. Ah, why am I so talkative? Hmm, anyway, I will speed
things up. So yeah, I have like, four or five segments ready, but I guess I
should put them aside for now. (Laughs) Because, I am sorry. I really am, guys.
You guys should go to work tomorrow, but… I apologize. As for the segments I prepared,
I will try and do them before the year ends if I get the opportunity to do so.
(Laughs) I will do them before the year ends. Before the year ends. Yes. This
is why I can’t be a good DJ [host].(126:49
~Now, it’s time for me to give out
gifts to you guys. It’s time for me to show my appreciation to my fans for
staying with me so late into the night. Was it since last week, guys? We
started taking your personal stories last week, didn’t we? Right? Yes, your
personal stories. So now, I have all your personal stories brought up here with
me. They [staff] kindly printed these out for me. Hmm, I had already read all
of them before I came in. Today, I am taking these stories home with me. We
received these stories through email and via text message. I will read to you a
few of these stories that I found very impressive while reading them. Yes. [**JG reads comments**] What? Ah, you want
me to be a regular host? Nope. So we’ve got a lot of stories. Actually, these
‘bonds’ that I have with my fans really come in all different forms. I am proud
to be one of the very few actors who have maintained very strong relationships
[with my fans] for a long time. Yes. That’s why I feel grateful but also so
bummed out that this seems the only way we got to see one another. I have
always ended each year by making eye contact with you guys, jumping and singing
together. Now, then, let us… Yes, “Joon Gi Brag Flex.” Yes, please show us the
photos.(128:32
~This is Lee Joon Gi, an actor who
always stays connected with you. Yes, that’s right. Do you see the photos? Yes.
The nickname is ‘준야’ [fan’s nickname]. Let me read this story from
준야. [** fan story begins **] “In
2005, with King and the Clown about to come out, just as profile photos of this
actor called Lee Joon Gi, who played Gong Gil, gradually spread all over the
Internet, I saw this one profile photo and fell in love with him. That photo
marked the best and the greatest butterfly effect moment of my life, and even
after 15 years, I am still writing this story while digging up this ‘fan box’
of mine. Though exceptionally introverted, I became a fan who helped fly the
ad balloons at the place where we celebrated oppa’s military discharge; who
made 2,000 paper planes for a fan event; and who flew overseas to attend your concerts.
Looking back, I realized those moments added up to this incredible number: 15
years. Of course, just like any couple in love out there, no fan thinks about
the end when it’s only just the beginning, but it has already been 15 years! Do
you think this is what it feels like to get caught in a triangle choke, your
special skill, which you said was not easy to let go and get out of once you
got caught?” (Laughs) [**JG pauses**]
Yes, because I practice jiu jitsu… [**
back to story **] “Even now, I find myself constantly
falling so hard for Lee Joon Gi that it does not feel real seeing all this time
passing. In my fan box, I see faded pieces of newspapers, tickets that are
washed out and barely recognizable, the videotapes I cannot even play because
there is no player available now, and the advertising photos where you are
holding this flip phone. I feel weird because it feels like they are telling me
about all this time that passed. I want to say to you ‘Thank you for not
letting go of me for such a long time.’ I cannot even begin to imagine how much
time you spent agonizing and worrying about showing us a newer and a more
mature version of yourself each and every time. But thanks to you, I have lived
every moment of my life as a fan of yours feeling unabashedly proud of ‘my
actor.’ I pray that I will become a better person, and a better fan, who never
changes but grows to be an upstanding person just as you are now. At the rate
things are going now, I think I will be able to send a wreath to your 70th
birthday party.” [**JG pauses**] (Laughs)
It makes me both happy and sad. [** back
to story **] “First things first, though, I guess I must survive before I
get to do that, but I will do my best. Please look forward to it.” [** story ends **](131:11
~ Ah. 준야, are you watching this? Yes, I remember it
too. Hmm. There are a lot of people I can recognize just by their nicknames.
(Laughs) That’s right. We really have spent so much time together. How did we
get to connect with each other through that one profile photo you saw even
before the movie came out? And then we have been a positive influence on each
other ever since. Honestly, just as 준야 felt, thanks to your love, I am also so happy
and so filled with precious moments that I didn’t even realize 20 years have
passed. All those moments. Looking back, I think this is how I feel. When I
look at the things I have had for a long time, I also realize they are no
longer what they used to be. For instance, the tickets that are so washed up
they are almost unrecognizable. And I have collected those handwritten letters
and fan letters from you guys and I still keep them, but I don’t have space to
store all of them. So as I dig up the old things and look through them, I
realize, wow, so many of those sincere gifts are fading now, little by little.
Those tapes, too, right? Videotapes. The player isn’t working any more. Those
old CDs – I can no longer play them, either. Because I have a Blu-ray player at
home now. Anyway, to this fan who has always stayed by my side and helped me
become a decent person – I consider your story to be representative of those of
my other fans. I am going to pick a gift from this gift list and send it to our
준야. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am so touched. Here’s the
Gifticon list, the NOW sack. What should I pick for you? There really are so
many. So many, but. I want to give you something expensive. Hm. Yes. To someone
who has given me so much strength for 15 years. I will send you a set. A set.
What would you like? Hmm. Kyochon Chicken. My favorite. I mean, it used to be
my favorite. Kyochon Chicken’s Red Combo Potato Wedges Set. Wait, wait. [** to the staff **] Does this Red combo
come with the potato set? You’re not sending just the potato wedges, are you?
Okay, to 준야, I will send you the Gifticon for the Red
Combo Potato Wedges Set from Kyochon Chicken. Congratulations. (Claps) Thank
you, NOW. Thank you, 준야.(134:00
~Now, on to the next story. The
nickname is ‘고파.’ [** ‘고파’ means ‘wanting something,’ often referring to hunger or thirst **] What are you so hungry for? I
am so hungry right now too. Yes. (Laughs) 고파. [** fan
story begins **] “To my precious actor. This is 고파 who misses Joongi so much.” [** JG
pauses **] Hmm, so you mean that ‘고파,’ I guessed it right. [** back to story **] “First of all, heartfelt congratulations on
winning two awards [AAA]. I was touched by your heartfelt acceptance speeches
because they conveyed how you truly felt. When I am emotionally exhausted or
anxious, that anxiety magically goes away when I see you. For that, I am very
thankful. I was so touched by how caring of you to always stay connected with
your fans, and by how thoughtful of you to give us presents such as this
broadcast, something we can look forward to. When life gets tough, if there’s
something you can look forward, it makes your life worth living, doesn’t it?
Our dear actor, you always make my life worth living when it has ups and downs.
I respect you, I love you [** ‘은애하다’ is an old-fashioned way of saying ‘love you’ **] and I love you. There is one thing that worries me,
though. It always worries me when you say you feel lonely and empty while alone
after finishing a project. I pray you won’t feel so lonely but somehow find
peace of mind even when you are alone, and that you get to meet a lot of good
people as your life goes on. My precious actor, I love you. And I always miss
you. The photos I want to show you are.” Oh, yes. (Laughs) “I was at the same
place as you, around the same time as you were there. I saw the same view as
you did here, and I leaned against the same balcony as you did.” [** JG pauses **] Yes, these are the photos.
Wow, yes. (Laughs) You went so far away as there? Wow, it’s so amazing. Isn’t
the view great there? [** back to story
**] I took these photos to remember this very moment, because of my favorite
scene from a drama and because the sunset at the time was so beautiful and I
felt like this was a present from you.” [** story
ends **] Yes. Wow, it’s so touching. I’m so deeply grateful. It really is
not easy to go all the way there. You really went all the way there. Yes, I was
there for the shooting of My Ear’s Candy. This place just automatically creates
a romance. It just happens. How should I put this, it is just like a piece of
painting, isn’t it? Just thinking that I was in the same space as you 고파, at the same place but at a
different time – it feels like another romance. Hmm. It’s the kind of place
that makes everything great. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.(136:35
~Many of you worry about me because I
feel empty when I am alone after finishing a project. Actually, this year, a
lot of people – not just me – probably have felt the same way, and this year,
for me, that feeling is even greater especially because I have met you guys
through this drama Flower of Evil and then said goodbye to you after it ended.
It’s such a bummer. Because, once I have finished a project, I normally get
over that feeling of loneliness by preparing to meet with you guys. This year,
though, I cannot do that so I feel very sad, bummed out, and yes, a little depressed.
You can say it’s because of the Covid blues, but yes, I feel especially so sad
because I cannot meet you guys. I always miss you. Yes, I feel the same way. I
love you. I will send 고파 a gift as well. 고파, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 고파 [again, it can mean ‘hungry’] hungry, hungry, hungry. I think you
might be hungry now. So yes. Should I send you something like this? Would you
like it? I will send you Myungrang Hot Dog, Jumbo Hot Dog [kinds of Korean corndog] Woohoo. Are you hungry? Then grab a bite
of Jumbo Hot Dog. I will send you the Gifticon. Yes, that’s right. Thank you
from the bottom of my heart. (Laughs)(137:51
~Okay, I will read just one more
story to you. Nickname. (Laughs) The nickname is ‘한빛.’ [** fan
story begins **] “My brag starts with how I fell for the charms of actor
Lee Joon Gi back when I was still in puberty, in school. Following your first
fan meeting ‘Episode 1’ that took place at this gigantic, huge concert hall, I
attended every single one of your birthday parties organized by your fan café [Korean fan community site], as well as
all your annual fan meetings where you delighted and touched your fans with
your dancing and singing skills that were as polished as those of any idol musician.
Those are the things I want to brag about, and which are also my precious
memories. The file attachments represent those memories: the tickets,
autographed pieces of paper, and an autographed mug that was a birthday party
souvenir. I had kept the mug carefully in the package for 13 years before I
finally took it out this year and have used it since. Actually, the best thing
I want to brag about when it comes to actor Lee Joon Gi is your fans who are
just as energetic and passionate as you.” [** JG pauses **] Yes, this is about you guys. [** back to story **] “I also have precious bonds of mine that I formed
through Lee Joon Gi, Actor Lee, and we have met regularly for the past 10
years, despite the 20-year age (generational) gap. With you, Actor Lee, we are
all like teenage fan girls. Hehehe. I really wanted to brag about this group of
ours to you. Kekekeke. Dear Actor Lee, I am trying to live my best life, always
getting positive energy from actor Lee Joon Gi and thinking that I want to
become a great fan my great actor can be proud of. I don’t have the drawing or
writing skills to express how much I want to cheer you up, but I wanted to say
that I am always walking right beside actor Lee Joon Gi and right behind you
like your shadow. As much as you gave your fans strength, as much as you
delighted your fans, we also want to give just as much strength and delight to
you. As you continue to walk on – be it on a sunny day or a cloudy and rainy
day – please do not forget that you have your fans walking by your side, right
there to share an umbrella with you. I love you. I will always stay right here
by your side [** from the lyrics of ‘The
Giving Tree’ **] Yes, it’s from the song. [** JG sings the song **] I will always stay right here by your side.
Yes. Thank you.(140:07
~한빛 says she met precious friends
because of me. To everyone who has shared with me stories of these precious
bonds of theirs and stayed by my side, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Of course, with me, you guys are all teenage fan girls. With you, I am always a
teenage idol. (Laughs) That’s right, what good does it do to want to grow up?
[** JG has often said he wants to not
grow up/old spiritually but stay young **]
Yes. Today, though, I am acting very mature on this show now. You do
know, don’t you? Guys. I am trying very hard to hold it back. Because it’s
nighttime. I will be a different person when I go on the air in the morning.
(Laughs) [** JG in cheerful voice **]
Yes, this is DREAM presented by Lee Joon Gi. That’s how I would look, but right
now, it’s nighttime, so. [** JG in soft,
whispering voice **] I will stay soft and gentle. Yeah, the 20-year
generational gap, there is no such thing. Right this moment I am spending with
you guys is what is most precious. Each and every moment is really what is most
precious and valuable and what makes us happy. Everyone, let us stay united and
say 항.여.이.지. [** short form for ‘I will
always stay right here by your side,’ from the lyrics of ‘The Giving Tree’
**] I will always be here by my… Uh? Did I just say ‘by my side’? (Laughs) I
will always stay right here by your side. Yes, the comments say… “Fan meeting.
For Chinese family, too.” Oh, I am sorry. But earlier, I said “好久不见” [hǎo jiǔ bu jiàn; Chinese greeting, “long time no see”]. Yes. I
am always waiting to see my Chinese family again, as well. It seems like only
yesterday that I toured overseas and met with my fans, but now, it is so hard
to meet you. What’s happened to us? Yeah, but I haven’t been able to meet my
fans in Korea, either. So please don’t feel too bad about it. I haven’t
forgotten about you and never will. So let us pray for the day we will meet
again. Let us look forward to the day. Guys. There is nothing more important
than this: Until the day comes, put your health first. Yes. Yes, the comments
are now filled with “항여이지” [‘I will always stay right here by your side’]. [** JG sings the part from The Giving Tree
**] I will always stay right here by your side~ Yeah. (Laughs) I want to sing
like this.(142:17
~Everyone who has always stayed by my
side. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will pick a gift for you, 한빛. What should I pick for 한빛? What would you like? Yes. Hmm. I
would pick… (Laughs) I have this one ready for you so you won’t feel the
generational gap. I will send you the McDonald’s 1955 Burger Set. (Laughs)
Don’t feel the generational gap any more, do you? Yes, McDonald’s 1955 Burger
Set. I will send you the Gifticon. Congratulations. Aside from these, there are
so many stories from you. So many. Aigoo, guys. What’s going on here? It’s
12:26 a.m. (Laughs) I am so sorry. You guys should go to work tomorrow. Thank
you for staying with me. Right now, the writer keeps making plans for the next
broadcast, saying, “Let’s hear the rest of the stories on the next broadcast.”
Well, I wonder if that’s going to happen. We will see. Anyway, thank you from
the bottom of my heart to each and every one of you for sharing your very
precious memories, your personal stories filled with love. I think the stories
I read to you today represent the feelings of all my fans who are staying with
me right now. I am always grateful. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to
everyone who shared their stories. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for
staying with me right now. Yes. Now, what am I supposed to do? (Laughs) I am so
sad [to say goodbye] too. Then shall we take a look at a few more comments? “I
love you,” “I am not going to work tomorrow,” What do you mean, not going to
work? You must! “Thank you,” “Be a regular host,” “항여이지.” Yes, “On to the next segment.” Next segment.
(Laughs) Yes, some say they are looking forward to my next project. “Please
don’t go,” “Stay all night.” Yes, I’m looking forward to the day when we can
stay all night together. (144:40
~Guys, you have been watching Lee
Joon Gi’s DREAM in real time on Naver NOW. Now it is time to wrap up. Actually,
it is way past the time to wrap up. Yes. There are still so many stories you
sent me, and so many comments coming in now. I am feeling so much love. Also, I
lied to you earlier about Part 1 and Part 2, but we got so much love from you
guys and had a server crash right in the middle of it. Once again, I am truly
sorry about that. But personally, I was happy about it. (Laughs) Guys, how was
it spending time with me today? Yes. Did you love it? For me, I was so happy to
let you heart my voice right from here, in this great facility. In 2020, so
many things happened, and the Covid-19 crisis that has been so hard on you – is
still going on, right? I want to offer comfort to everyone who is hurting and
sharing this time with me – from those high school students who took the test
today, to those who are listening to this broadcast, and to those small
business owners. Better days will come. In places where evil grows, good
flowers still bloom. I think better days will come, the day when those flowers
bloom will definitely come. Yes. I am sending you all words of comfort and
encouragement as I am wrapping this up. Tomorrow another day will start. I hope
you have a great day. Tonight, I hope you have sweet dreams. Oh. Tomorrow, at
the same time, at 10 p.m. There will be a rerun. I was surprised; I thought
they told me to go on the air tomorrow at 10 p.m. again. (Laughs) Yes, so we
are going to have a rerun tomorrow at the same time, at 10 p.m. If any of you
missed out on today’s show, please keep that in mind and stay tuned tomorrow.
Today, I hope to comfort you by ending the show with these songs. I am going to
play, like, two songs. Mmm, personally, this is the song I keep listening to
these days. I will do my best to be an actor who can comfort you when you are
having trouble and exhausted. This song has lyrics that express it. From Lee
Juck, “Don’t Worry, Dear.” And praying for the day we will meet again, “For
us.” Today I am going to say goodbye with these two songs. Thank you for
staying with me. Let us always walk together. I will always stay right here, by
your side. Have a great night, guys. Sweet dreams. Good night.(147:47
~Song: “DON’T WORRY, DEAR” by Lee
Juck.(151:36
~ end)Song: “FOR US” by Lee Joon Gi.[End]. #lee joon gi #이준기 #flower of evil #악의 꽃 #king and the clown #왕의 남자#my girl#마이 걸 #time between dog and wolf #개와 늑대의 시간 #iljimae#일지매#two weeks#투윅스 #gunman in joseon #조선총잡이#moon lovers #moon lovers scarlet heart ryeo #달의 연인#lawless lawyer#무법 변호사 #moon chae won #악의꽃#kdrama#korean drama](https://64.media.tumblr.com/2cfb470fb1b7acc601de61755108b1ef/8a91681a25238481-54/s500x750/fca8ae6de9fdf96a239dfcd3f573622a2b0d18a4.jpg)
![Lee Joon Gi was named one of the ‘2020 Icons’ by Korean culture & art magazine ‘CULTURA’ in its December 2020 issue. It has two essays on Lee Joon Gi’s acting and his character Do Hyunsoo in Flower of Evil. And here’s my English translation. --2020
ICON – Drama Category, Actor
Lee Joon GiLee Joon Gi: Unexpected Charm, Hybrid Genreby Joo
Chan Ok (drama writer)-It’s
been said that, although <King and the Clown> drew an audience of 10 million,
the number is overhyped. The reasoning behind this is that many moviegoers watched
it over 10 times to just see Lee Joon Gi and, when you take out the repeat
viewings, it simply does not amount to 10 million. In a similar vein, there is
this kind of gossip going around: Of those ’10-million audience’ movies, some
are genuinely 10-million audience movies because there is no way anyone would
have watched those pieces of **** more than once; that those were truly watched
by 10 million individuals. I will not say what movies ‘those’ refer to.For
my part, I only watched <King and the Clown> once. Since it has been
quite a long time, I do not remember with whom I went to watch it. My only
recollection is that I was impressed by the unexpected baritone voice of that
beautiful man Gong-gil the moment he opened his mouth.The
charm of Lee Joon Gi lies in that unexpectedness. First
of all, he has mysterious eyes. He has monolids, which lends his slanted eyes
sharpness. Most beautiful men are just beautiful, whether when they smile or
when they keep their mouths closed. But Lee Joon Gi has many different feels to
him.When
he smiles, he looks like an innocent pretty boy who is prettier than any woman.
But when he keeps his mouth closed and becomes expressionless, he comes off as
cold and heartless. That expression on his face can make him look like an
assassin or even a murderer. Or should I say that he can not only be many
different things but he can also swing back and forth between extremes?In
<King and the Clown>, <My Girl> and the pomegranate drink
commercial, Lee Joon Gi projected a feminine or androgynous image. When you
search ‘Lee Joon Gi cigarette’ on YouTube, it shows videos of Lee Joon Gi
smoking a cigarette where he looks incredibly sexy. They do not look like
scenes from a movie or a drama, but those of his everyday life.On
the other hand, in <Iljimae>, <Gunman in Joseon>, <Moon Lovers:
Scarlet Heart Ryeo>, and <Lawless Lawyer>, he pulls off action
performances in his outbursts of masculine energy. Then, finally, in <Flower
of Evil>, his facial expressions blossom into a hybrid of different genres,
as he switches from happy and loving husband and father to cold-hearted
psychopath that sends chills down your spine.Drama
<Flower of Evil> aired on tvN from July through September this year.In
it, Lee Joon Gi plays a psychopath whose real name is Do Hyun Soo but who lives
under the false identity of Baek Hee Seong. A psychopath! Psychopaths,
or sociopaths, have become commonplace in Korean dramas. At first, they took
root as serial killers in police procedurals; recently, they have evolved into
‘psychopathic protagonists.’ Among them is Cho Seung Woo, who can’t feel
emotions in <Stranger>; another recent example is Joo Won in
<Alice> – although, unbelievably, Joo Won’s character bursts into violent
sobs when his mother dies.When
those psychopaths actually commit crimes, it becomes simple for the actors.
Because, then, it all comes down to how cruel they should make their characters
look. Of course, ‘simple’ acting does not mean it is easy. Actors say, while it
depends on the person, shooting such scenes [committing crimes] is so demanding
they even suffer a mental breakdown. The
protagonist of <Flower of Evil> is such a difficult psychopath for an
actor to play. Lee Joon Gi [as Do Hyun Soo] practices smiling naturally while
looking in the mirror and puts on the mask of a caring father and husband. At
least that is what he believes himself to be – appearing caring while feigning
happiness. He believes himself to be a psychopath because his father was a real
psychopath.However,
it does not sum up easily as: “It turns out, he is in fact a nice guy.” For a
long time, Do Hyun Soo has hidden or repressed emotions and lived a life of
lies, which has rendered him emotionally dead inside. That’s why he has become
a ‘psychopath.’ This character has several layers of consciousness like an
onion, or a pie with its layers coming off softly. In Episodes 15 and 16, in
particular, he gets portrayed in even more diverse ways – by none other than actor
Lee Joon Gi, through his incredibly rich performance.In
Episode 15, Do Hyun Soo mistakenly believes his wife is dead because the real
psychopath, played by Kim Ji Hun, says he killed Hyun Soo’s wife. From that
point on, he turns into something akin to his psychopathic father. The actor
ramps up the tension in his depiction of the moment when the murderer gene –
which Hyun Soo has long been afraid he has in him – wakes up. When
Hyun Soo is about to kill Baek Hee Seong (Kim Ji Hun), he hears his wife
calling his name – the wife he thinks is dead. This is when Lee Joon Gi
exhibits an emotional variation that unfolds like a panorama: In moments of
disbelief and shock, he doubts if his wife is really alive, and if he is seeing
his dead wife (Cha Ji Won, played by Moon Chae Won) just as he sees his dead
father, and then in a moment of relief, he finally starts walking towards Cha
Ji Won and cries. He cries, just like a child, completely disarmed after having
turned evil. It is a tremendous feat of concentration and such a riveting
performance.Episode
16 is so equally impressive it’s worth mentioning. Since we already saw an
explosion of emotions in Episode 15, what follows could have been a relatively
lackluster ending. Viewers have been disappointed time and again by dramas,
whose tension-filled stories culminate in far-fetched endings of
reconciliation, forgiveness, and life lessons of sorts.Initially,
I was a bit worried when the amnesia cliché appeared [in the last episode], but
I was soon to put those worries to rest. The finale has just the right amount
of time [Hyun Soo needed] to restore what makes us human in him, and it is a
good enough ending for us to look deep into the human condition. The script is
solidly written like a piece of literature, and the actor’s performance is such
a rich and delicate manifestation of that writing.Even with his memories coming back little by little, and with the people around him
telling him about his relationships [to his loved ones], Do Hyun Soo still
cannot trust himself. That’s because of the confusion he’s in – because, all
his life, he has kept his true feelings deeply tucked away, and because he has
never lived freely as himself, just the way he is. That is exactly what Lee
Joon Gi has been showing. Finally, Hyun Soo accepts the fact that he was
genuinely in love and happy when he was with his family. And it is the actor’s
brilliant depiction of that moment when Hyun Soo starts to believe in himself
that brings the drama to an end.It
has been 15 years since <King and the Clown> was released.Maybe
it is lucky for an actor to have such a career-defining character, but it can
also be a trap. Yet, Lee Joon Gi seems to have already grown out of this
impactful character Gong-gil, and he did it brilliantly. So now, why don’t we
renew our expectations for this actor, Lee Joon Gi? What will he be look like
when he gets older? How far could he possibly go?---Monthly
Drama ReviewVarious
Faces in Drama <Emotionless>A Flower Named Lee Joon Giby Kim
Min Jung (drama critic, professor at Chung-Ang University) -In
2017, <Stranger> received considerable attention for the birth of a new
type of character in prosecutor Hwang Si Mok. A protagonist who dares to be
‘emotionless’ in Korean drama, a medium characterized by human bonding and
humanism! It was indeed an astonishing event that caused a seismic shift in K-drama
characters. Now, four years later, what’s happening in 2020 Korea? Four dramas,
which aired around the same time, tout ‘emotionless’ characters as their
protagonists. This
small ball of seeds that Hwang Si Mok in <Stranger> started rolling
gathers more momentum through Go Moon Young, from <It’s Okay to Not Be
Okay>, and finally turns into an attractive, fully-bloomed flower through Do
Hyun Soo in <Flower of Evil>. Although the latest addition to this trend,
Park Jin Gyeom in <Alice>, seems to have veered off course, there seems
to be a consensus that 2020 has been the year of ‘emotionless’ characters.
These ‘emotionless’ characters continue to broaden their spectrum as they draw
viewers in with their respective idiosyncrasies and charms spanning across
diverse genres, from police procedurals to romance, thriller, and science
fiction..Hwang Si Mok, from <Stranger>By
now, in 2020, it’s safe to say there are about four ways to defeat evil in
Korean dramas: First is the classic strategy of pitting ‘good’ against evil.
Second is the dialectical strategy of turning to a character who has become an
evil monster for the sake of good. Prosecutor Lee Chang Joon, who basically
carried Season 1 of <Stranger>, is the quintessential example of this ‘dialectical’
character that deliberately puts himself in harm’s way by walking into the den
of evil to fight government-business collusion and corruption. He’s the scapegoat
of our era and the product of our collective tragic view of reality: that good
alone cannot defeat evil. Now, third is the last resort you use when you really
have no other choice. That is, the “fight fire with fire” strategy of using
another villain that’s even more powerful than your main villain. You can find
a great example in drama <Bad Guys> (2014).But it
ain’t over till it’s over. We have another creation that’s given birth to by
those creators who carefully reasoned that evil cannot possibly be defeated by
humanity – hence the emergence of the ‘emotionless’ character. This is an
AI-esque character created to deliver justice; a non-human human who is
completely deprived of all human qualities. The first three character types
exist on the boundaries between good and evil, have beating hearts, and do as
their hearts tell them. On the other hand, this fourth ‘emotionless’ character
cannot feel emotions and lacks empathy. Hwang Si Mok, who underwent a surgery
that left him emotionless, works to serve justice by diligently performing the
duties assigned to him. He represents a ‘cold’ type of justice, which he tries
to deliver, not out of some sense of duty, but because it’s his job. The kind
of justice he seeks exists outside of the system of dualistic good/evil
thinking.Since
he can’t feel emotions, he isn’t afraid of anything. For him, there is no
sacred ground he can’t step on when it comes to fighting injustice. In Season
2, in 2020, his notion of ‘cold’ justice extends to the inside of the system,
namely, the prosecutors and the police responsible for crime investigations.
With the government and police at loggerheads over investigative authority,
Hwang Si Mok aims his gun at both the police and prosecutors that both employ unlawful
methods to achieve their goals. To defend the prosecutors’ power, elite
prosecutor Woo Tae Ha tampers with an investigation and tries to stop Si Mok,
saying because of Si Mok’s dogged pursuit of justice, prosecutor Lee Chang Joon
committed suicide. Still, Si Mok won’t budge but pushes ahead with his
investigations. At this point, I think we might as well call Hwang Si Mok a
living AI robot..Go Moon Young, from <It’s Okay to Not Be
Okay>If
Hwang Si Mok’s emotionless character is the sort of strong-willed ‘hero’ about
to save Korean society from the evil of corruption, then Go Moon Young in
<It’s Okay to Not Be Okay> is only a pitiful ‘grown child,’ who grew up
in the hands of her overbearing psychopathic mother and hearing curses from her
father that she would become a monster like her mother.While
living in solitude as an “empty can with no emotions,” without knowing what
love or friendship is, Go Moon Young meets brothers Moon Gang Tae and Moon Sang
Tae, ends up living with them, and learns how to connect with other people.
Living with her new family of sorts, she manages to get rid of the negative
self-concept that her parents planted in her, find her own identity, and grow
up to be a real grownup. In the drama, her emotionless character represents not
an absence, i.e. lack of emotion, but a blank space to be filled with
possibilities – in other words, she symbolizes hope and dreams as a ‘recovering
human being.’Go
Moon Young asks Moon Gang Tae: “What do you mean, I’m a child?” Moon Gang Tae
looks right into her eyes, as if the answer is obvious, saying: “Of course you
are. It’s so obvious you’re seeking people’s approval.” Moon Gang Tae, who
warmly embraces Go Moon Young, isn’t just a caretaker at a psychiatric ward for
nothing. Who hasn’t experienced psychological pain? Who doesn’t want to be
loved? Through this sad, aching soul Go Moon Young, the ‘emotionless character’
transforms from an extraordinary hero into an ordinary face that we have, from
an agent of catharsis into an ‘aching soul’ persona that leaves us with
lingering feelings. Oh, we are so in need of romance..Do
Hyun Soo, from <Flower of Evil>Owing
to actor Lee Joon Gi’s otherworldly performance, Do Hyun Soo in <Flower of
Evil> exhibits such an amazing character growth that starts with ‘nothingness,’
as in, his lack of emotion, and expands into ‘infinity’ in which that space of ‘nothingness’
can be filled with anything precisely because it’s been empty of emotion. Those
variations of the ‘emotionless character’ – from Hwang Si Mok to Go Moon Young,
and to Do Hyun Soo – are all packed in this one person, Do Hyun Soo.Falsely
accused and wronged, Do Hyun Soo is relentless and unstoppable in his search
for the real killer with his characteristically expressionless face, as
prosecutor Hwang Si Mok does. At one moment, he breaks into a journalist’s home
and the next, he’s hanging precariously from an apartment balcony. He even
negotiates with human traffickers and puts his own life on the line to meet
this real serial killer. His recklessness in executing his plans, though, helps
him successfully catch the serial killer before the police do.He
also identifies his feelings and learns to love all the while chasing the real
killer. What Moon Gang Tae is to Go Moon Young is exactly what his wife Cha Ji
Won is to Do Hyun Soo. Seeing Ji Won embrace all of Hyun Soo’s wounds, he
confides in her about his past and confesses his love in his heartwarming way:
“I love you. You are an even weirder person than I am. Jiwon, you are the most
inexplicable part of my life. So unreal.” Do Hyun Soo resembles Go Moon Young
in that, even though he was raised by a psychopathic parent to be an
emotionless person lacking empathy, he restores that ‘humanness’ in him by
emotionally connecting with his lover.In
<Flower of Evil>, Do Hyun Soo even goes beyond that ‘cold justice’ in
Hwang Si Mok and ‘aching soul’ in Go Moon Young, and becomes the ‘lone martyr’
in this age of barbarity and inhumanity. Early in the drama, he is depicted as
a cunning psychopath who exploits people’s kind nature for his own advantage.
But it turns out, it is actually Hyun Soo who has been exploited. The village
head spreads the malicious rumor that he is a psychopath, and steals the money
Hyun Soo’s father left behind. Emotionless, Hyun Soo does not feel wronged nor does he get angry. Rather, he accepts his fate, calm and unperturbed. He takes the
blame for his sister’s killing of the village head, and comforts his sister who’s
trembling in fear: “It’s Okay, because I don’t know how it feels.”Hyun
Soo does not become coldhearted and cruel because he is emotionless; instead,
he willingly sacrifices himself. Watching him makes me reflect on myself and
wonder if those emotions and empathy we have always talked about, as well as that
customary expression “humane,” are probably much more based on self-centeredness
and self-interest than we think. I wonder if Do Hyun Soo, who seems detached
and free from all those joys, angers, sorrows, and pleasures, isn’t the ‘noble
martyr’ who can sacrifice himself for others and society. A metal craft artist,
Do Hyun Soo runs his workshop named “Where the Morning Star Stays.” In Greek
mythology, there is an ugly god of metalworking. Everyone hates him, but he has
a wife he loves. The place where his Venus, Morning Star, and loving wife
stays. When Cha Ji Won takes Do Hyun Soo, who’s been hurt and persecuted
because of the sins he didn’t even commit, and holds him in her warm embrace,
she reminds me of the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Christ after his
crucifixion. If this isn’t your Michelangelo’s Pietà, then I don’t know what
is.I
wondered if Lee Joon Gi’s remarkable acting talent has been underrated all
these years because of his gorgeous looks, just as Do Hyun Soo’s innocent heart
has been hidden beneath his expressionless face. Every single eye expression,
every hand gesture, and every breath of his are so restrained, yet contain all
of life’s joys, angers, sorrows, and pleasures. As I watch this marvelous irony
of life – in which ‘nothingness’ expands into ‘infinity’ – come into bloom on
his little face, I realize when and how our exhausting and shabby daily life
can be elevated into art. Following the finale of the drama, actor Lee Joon Gi
went live on Instagram, and fans from about 30 countries joined in, hoping to
cherish the deep, lingering feelings that the drama left with them. Among them
was this Korean, Kim Min Jung. Oh, Lee Joon Gi.--end. #lee joon gi #이준기 #flower of evil #악의꽃 #do hyun soo #도현수](https://64.media.tumblr.com/81a1d94ef1943c223e8a88eb5ce34844/3cf85ceb92e64835-5f/s500x750/0f1156a9bfb2ce7f03f22cd1ea7558e11dda3dc4.jpg)
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