Lee Seung Gi reflects on the pressures and anxieties of the very earliest years of his entertainment career, going back to a memorable moment on the classic variety program "X-Man." His comments were shared during a recent broadcast in which he opened up about the situation that has stuck with him for years.
In a report by AllKpop, the singer-actor revisited one of the most challenging parts of his rookie era: being asked to perform a spontaneous dance on national television. Before presenting his words, He said, "It left me with trauma."
Lee explained that when he appeared on X-Man, he wasn't ready or confident to dance at that moment, even though the people surrounding him were highly experienced entertainers. "I was told I had to suddenly dance, and I didn't know what to do."
The moment was even more unexpected when veteran host Yoo Jae Suk himself called on him to participate in the dance initiation segment, a well-known part of the show that often put new guests on the spot.
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Adding context via a neutral lead-in, Lee shared, "When Yoo Jae Suk sunbaenim pointed at me, I froze. I tried to dance, but it just felt so embarrassing."
Although variety shows are light-hearted, Lee said the experience turned into one of the major stressors in the beginning of his career. He described how hard the pressure to perform entertainingly in front of senior celebrities and a national audience was for him.
He said, "When Yoo Jae Suk sunbaenim pointed at me, I froze. I tried to dance, but it just felt so embarrassing."
Fans who followed "X-Man" during its original run may recall Lee Seung Gi's shy, boy-next-door persona. Now, his reflection carries new insight into the anxiety he felt behind the scenes at a time when he was still trying to find his footing within the industry.
It was a revelation similarly shared by many who watched, as it highlighted the immense pressure on young artists in South Korea's entertainment world, especially during televised variety programs that require quick confidence, humor, and stage presence.
Recently, in news from Tv Report, MBC FM4U's Noon Hope Song, he acknowledged contradictions in his earlier comments about her education but said he ultimately wants her to choose her own path. Still, he personally hopes she avoids showbiz, calling it harsh and unpredictable compared to academics. Lee shares his daughter with wife Lee Da-in, whom he married in 2023.
