Lee Jung Jae Recalls Being Discovered by Accident
Lee Jung Jae took a trip down memory lane and recalled his journey as an actor. With his two-decade career, the 49-year-old star is now among South Korea's top actors and not to mention known worldwide because of "Squid Game."
Lee Jung Jae on Being an Actor By Chance
The award-winning actor appeared as a guest in "ODG" a YouTube channel where kids interview celebrities from Kpop to K-drama stars.
On its recent episode, 14-year-old Kim Min Seo from "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" and 12-year-old Sung Hyun get to interview Lee Jung Jae for the episode "career review."
Sung Hyun immediately recognized the actor from Netflix's "Squid Game" while Min Seo knew a lot of his works.
As the episode began, Lee Jung Jae recalled his rookie days as an actor. It was for the series "Sandglass" where he played Go Hyun Jung's bodyguard named Baek Jae Hee.
Watching a glimpse of the K-drama, he found it embarrassing and pointed out how he acted terribly at the time but revealed that it skyrocketed his popularity as an actor, and started getting a lot of offers.
While discussing the 1998 movie "City of the Rising Sun '' with Jung Woo Sung, Lee Jung Jae mentioned that he became an actor by chance and it wasn't his intention to join the industry.
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The award-winning star shared that he was discovered at his part-time job and was scouted to become a model.
Lo and behold, he booked the job and appeared on TV. Fortunately, the writer of "Sandglass" recommended him to the casting representatives and the rest is history for Lee Jung Jae.
Lee Jung Jae on Dealing Slump in Life
With his years-long success as an actor, Min Seo asked Lee Jung Jae if he ever had a slump in his career.
The actor confessed that for 20 years in the industry, he had a slight dip in his career but explained that it was because of himself.
"When I can't feel the gratitude in the work that I'm doing now, that's when I get the slump."
He shared that as an actor, it is important to express gratitude towards the colleagues and people you work with as well as the fans.
From 'Squid Game' to Director Lee Jung Jae
The 49-year-old star gained worldwide stardom through the massive success of Netflix's "Squid Game."
Lee Jung Jae shared his trip to the U.S, Europe, and a few countries where people would recognize him because of the series; however, for the actor what really felt great is when people loved and enjoyed the output of his hard work.
As for his new role, being the director of the upcoming movie "Hunt" with Jung Woo Jung, he admitted that his directorial debut feels a lot of pressure.
Moreover, he also revealed that it was his first time writing a scene which he did for four years.
"Hunt" made a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival 2022 where it received a 7-minute long standing ovation from the audience. As for its theatrical release, it will officially debut on August 10.
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Written by Geca Wills
