Lee Jong Suk may have shaken off trades with a diverse handful of characters throughout his acting career, but he intentionally declined one genre: historical dramas.

Lee, who debuted as a model in 2005 before transitioning into acting in 2010, revealed on tvN's Three Meals A Day that he does not feel suited for historical productions.

Despite a decorated career spanning roles as a mind-reader, doctor, composer, and author, he has only acted in one historical project — the 2013 film The Face Reader.

During a conversation with veteran actor Lee Seo Jin on the reality program, Lee candidly shared the reason behind his absence from the genre in the years since.

"I've been avoiding them," Lee said as quoted by Koreaboo. "Whenever I'd appear in a scene, it felt like my vocal tone and acting would break the flow built by the sunbae-nims co-starring. And I felt so guilty, that I couldn't..."

"The Face Reader" is a jangseong period film based on the reign of the Joseon Dynasty with a stellar line-up of veteran actors. Lee, at the time of this movie, was still a young, up-and-coming star, but also one with a solid track record.

The experience had a lasting effect on him; it influenced him to stay away from the same type of roles in the future.

Lee Seo Jin, who has acted in numerous historical dramas, responded by offering words of encouragement, noting that younger actors are finding more opportunities in the genre today.

Though he has avoided sageuk dramas, Lee's career has thrived.

He recently won Best Drama and Best Couple at the 2022 MBC Drama Awards for Big Mouth, which co-starred Girls' Generation's YoonA.

Notably, Lee continues to grow his body of work with appearances in romance, crime, fantasy, and supernatural dramas.

Still, for now at least, it looks like historical dramas may forever be a chapter closed in his career.