Lee Dong Gun 이동건

[pinkdicentra]

LDG will be featured in the April issue of Arena Homme Plus. Two photos were released in the news today. In his interview he will be discussing the completion of Laurel Tree Tailors, his 20th year since debut, and his daily life habits. Source: Sports Chosun

@peggygordon Yes, I saw "Hello Mr. Right" when it originally released on China's iQiyi site. I thought the dubbing would be strange but then I found that I got used to it pretty soon. The voice actor used seemed to match pretty well. I don't speak Mandarin and was busy reading the Chinese subtitles (I don't know all the words and can't read them fast), so maybe that helped. The Korean and Chinese actors speak their own languages while acting, so that must be strange when filming. LDG mentioned that they write the Korean script to match the same number of syllables in a sentence to that of the Chinese script so that there's more sync between the lip movement and the dubbing, so he had to memorize the lines really well because often the sentences don't actually make much grammatical sense. In addition to LDG, the English teacher/ex-girlfriend and the webdrama's director are also Korean (he knows Chinese too). But it's actually amazing that he had such good chemistry with the female lead even though she's practically half his age and they don't even speak the same language. The actor who played his best friend said that they became good friends (I wonder if they keep in touch by email/text) and they communicate by English.

[delphinium8593]

Yeayyy thank you @pinkdicentra for the update! Looking forward for the article next April...

[pinkdicentra]

From earlier this week, LDG hanging out (at his new favorite restaurant?) with his Super Daddy Yeol co-stars, Choi Dae Chul and Seo Jun Young (took a while to recognize him with the longer hair).

 

[delphinium8593]

The article on Arena Homme Magazine has come out! I hope it will be able virtually and someone would translate it!

 

[peggygordon]

One of my fave video of LDG. Much interview of him and he was on stage at Osaka in 2008. My baby looks so young.

@pinkdicentra I amazed with his acting using Chinese language and he also has a few song in Japan language.

Cr to LDG1215

[pinkdicentra]

@peggygordon Thanks for the video! I haven't seen it before. He really is his typical shy and sensitive persona in the interviews. Even though he's often embarrassed by his past singing career, I feel that he still really wants to sing. Hopefully he gets a chance in the future. It's also a special year this year, as it's his 20th anniversary since he auditioned to become a singer when he was just 16/17 years old - so young!

@delphinium8593 I checked the Arena Homme website and it looks like they post the magazine interviews throughout the month. Hopefully we will get to see the full interview and pictorial soon.

Looks like LDG will be appearing on a show featuring Lim Jae Wook. Don't know where and when to see it, but here's the preview:

Also a photo from the Showbiz Korea interview:

 

[peggygordon]

Great news! As his promise to us, LDG will come back in small screen in "Seven Day Queen" KBS2 Drama. 

Let's support him and join the Kdrama Forum soompi "Seven Day Queen". See you all in that thread 

@pinkdicentra happy to know that you never seen previous YouTube link I've shared. Yes I really love him when he's singing especially on ballad song.

[pinkdicentra]

Just reposting the dramabeans article. He's confirmed for the role according to today's news.

Lee Dong-gun up to play tyrant king for Seven Day Queen

by javabeans | April 3, 2017 | 28 Comments

Lee Dong-gun (Laurel Tree Tailors) is in the mix to join KBS’s romance-melo-sageuk drama Seven Day Queen, and I’m excited to hear that he may be playing famously tyrannical king Yeonsangun. His management has confirmed that Lee has been offered the role and is considering favorably; should he take it, he’d be playing the rival and antagonist to series lead Yeon Woo-jin (Introverted Boss), who plays Yeonsangun’s half-brother, King Jungjong.

The woman caught between both men is Queen Dangyeong, who was dethroned just one week after her enthronement, and will be played by Park Min-young (Remember–Son’s War). The drama tells the sad love story between King Jungjong and Queen Dangyeong; he grew up living a stifled existence for fear of appearing to threaten Yeonsangun’s power, while she was the daughter of Jungjong’s greatest political opponent. After Yeonsangun was overthrown and Jungjong ascended the throne, Queen Dangyeong’s father led a coup opposing Jungjong’s rule, which failed and led to his execution and Dangyeong’s dethronement.

With Lee Dong-gun being courted for the drama, this means Jin Gu (Night Light) has bowed out of the project, after having been initially offered the role of Yeonsangun. I like Jin Gu, but I don’t think I mind this casting swap, as I’m already picturing Lee Dong-gun departing from his usual gentlemanly, nice-guy image to play a character with a darker side. Yes, please.

In fact, I’m even daring to hope that this role could provide him with a mid-career jolt; it isn’t that he’s doing so terribly, after his weekend drama Laurel Tree Tailors did so well, but prior to that he’s seemed to be in a slump for years, with Superdaddy Yeol, Mi-rae’s Choice, and When Night Comes all underperforming. And as Jo Hyun-jae, Namgoong Min, and Yeon Jung-hoon have shown, sometimes going against type and turning twisty and dark is just the thing to revitalize a career.

Seven Day Queen comes from PD Lee Jung-sub of Healer, Baker King Kim Tak-gu, and 2008’s Hong Gil Dong. follows brand-new drama Mystery Queen on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and premieres in June.

Via Star News

[pinkdicentra]

From Soompi news:

Lee Dong Gun Joins Park Min Young And Yeon Woo Jin For New KBS Historical Drama

R. Choi April 5, 2017

 

The main lead casting for KBS 2TV’s upcoming drama “The Seven-Day Queen” (literal title) has been completed.

After considering the offer, Lee Dong Gun has accepted to join Park Min Young and Yeon Woo Jin in the new drama headed by director Lee Jung Seob. “The Seven-Day Queen” is a historical romance drama that revolves around Queen Dan Kyung, who sat on the throne for an incredibly short amount of time.

Lee Dong Gun will be starring in the drama as Lee Yoong, the 10th king of Joseon. His character is described as a sad king who is unable to win the heart of the woman he loves. The actor is set to show a wide range of emotions such as love, obsession, and madness. Many are excited to see him play a different kind of character than the ones from his previous works.

Yeon Woo Jin will playing prince Lee Yeok, the half brother of Lee Yoong. Historically, Lee Yeok is known as the prince who drove out his older brother and sat on the throne.

Park Min Young will be playing Queen Dan Kyung, who receives the love from both these men at the same time. While her character dreams of having a pure love, she ends up having to follow the most politically advantageous choices regardless of her own will.

Meanwhile, “The Seven-Day Queen” is set to air after “The Queen of Reason” (tentative title).

Source (1)

[pinkdicentra]

Arena Homme Plus pictorial and interview (source):

Full Korean text:

Spoiler

사람들이 이동건에 대해 오해하는 게 있을까?
‘별로 성실한 배우는 아니다, 많이 논다, 작품 하나 하고 나면 오래 쉬려고 한다’ 같은 것들. 그냥 쉽게 떠올릴 수 있는 이야기를 꼽자면 이렇다. 그런데 이건 정말 오해다. 나는 일단 시작하고 보는 성격이 못 된다. 뭐든 자신 있고, 준비됐을 때 할 수 있는 사람이다. 그러다 보니 받은 대본에 비해 선택한 작품은 굉장히 적었다. 다른 오해는 사실 잘 모르겠다. 기사에 대한 댓글이나 SNS 등을 전혀 보지 않거든. 그런 소통은 하지 않는다.

SNS는 아예 해본 적 없나?
없다. 요즘 그렇게 소통하는 사람들을 보면, 둘 중 하나인 것 같다. 자랑 혹은 숨기려다 들키는 것들. 누가 진짜 일상을 공개하나. 특별한 걸 먹고 멋있는 것을 소유하고 근사한 곳에 가니까 자랑하는 거지. 나는 그런 일에 취미가 없다. 자랑할 만한 일이 별로 없기도 하고, 나름 빛나는 순간이 있지만 누군가에게 보여주고 싶은 마음은 안 든다. 인터뷰에서 내 이야길 많이 하지 않는 것과 비슷한 맥락이다.

작품에 대한 피드백이 궁금할 때도 있지 않나?
칭찬 들으면 기분 좋겠지. 그런데 상처받을 말들도 분명 있다. 상처 주는 것이 목적인 말들이 꼭 있다. 그런 건 안 보는 편이 낫다고 생각한다.

솔직하고 객관적인 반응을 알아야 할 땐 어떻게 하나?
정 궁금하면 주변에 묻는데, 보통은 굳이 듣지 않고 스스로 느낀다. 자기 객관화가 잘되는 편이다. 내가 뭔가 잘못하고 있다는 걸 대번 느낀다. 잘못에 대한 인정도 잘하고, 빨리 다른 답을 찾으려 하고, 자숙한다.

<월계수 양복점 신사들>(이하 <월계수>)은 꼬박 8개월 동안 촬영한, 호흡이 긴 연속극이었다. 가장 그리운 순간이 있나?
매주 목요일 아침 9시. 그때 모든 출연진이 모여 대본 연습을 했다. 연속극은 필요한 세트를 모두 설치해두고, 카메라 서너 대를 놓고, 연극 하듯 촬영한다. 배우는 연극 무대에서 하듯 한 호흡에 연기해야 한다. 어떤 배우를 위해 특별한 조명을 설치하지 않는다. 배우가 강조하고 싶은 부분을 따로 찍어주지도 않는다. 우리는 신을 하루에 평균 50개 정도 촬영했고 매끄러운 진행을 위해 매주 한 번씩은 다 함께 모여 대본 리딩과 리허설을 했다. 그 시간이 제일 행복했다. 온 가족이 모이는 시간 같아서.

<월계수>의 동진은 이동건에게 익숙한 옷이었다. ‘배우가 대본에 있는 대로 하는 건 무책임하다’고 생각하는 부류라면, 고민이 많았을 것 같다.
맞다. 배역에 대한 두려움이나 공포는 없었다. 차가운, 워커홀릭의 화이트칼라 피플. 수트 입고 자동차 뒷자리에 타고 다니고… 그런 건 익숙하니까. 이번 드라마가 주는 공포는 다른 데 있었다. 동진이라는 캐릭터를 6개월 동안 끌고 갈 힘이 나에게 있느냐. 보통 3개월 정도 방송되는 드라마를 늘 했고, 성공한 적도 있지만 실패한 작품이 훨씬 많았다. 막연하더라.

답은 어떻게 구했나?
주어진 캐릭터와는 조금 다르게 연기하기로 했다. 동진이는 초반부 내내 절대 웃지 않는다. 나는 촬영 시작하고 한 달 동안 웃어본 적이 없다. 후반부로 가면서 얼마든 웃을 날이 있을 테니까. 작가나 감독이 생각한 것보다 훨씬 감정을 눌러서 연기한 거다. 분명 감정을 드러내야 하는 신도 있었을 텐데, 내 고집대로 했다. 나에게 이런 확신은 있거든. 적어도 내가 맡은 캐릭터에 대해서는 작가보다 더 잘 알 거라는, 알아야 한다는 확신.

그랬기에 나중에 동진이가 사랑에 빠져 어울리지 않게 ‘헤헤’ 웃고, 오글거리게 표현한 게 사람들에게 쾌감을 준 것 같다.
나는 그게 동진이라는 캐릭터의 힘이라고 믿었다. 현장에서도 감독님이나 다른 동료들과 부딪히지 않았다. 그들도 나를 믿어준 거라 생각한다. 감사한 일이다.

성공한 적도 실패한 적도 많다고 하지 않았나?
실패를 훨씬 많이 했지.

그런데 이동건은 잘되고, 안 되는 것에 크게 영향을 받지 않는 사람인 것 같다. 안 된다고 크게 무너지지 않고, 잘된다고 해서 고양되지도 않았다.
무척 노력하는 부분이다. 나는 너무 어릴 때, 아무것도 모를 때 큰 성공을 해봤다. 앞으로 더 큰 성공을 할 수도, 실패를 할 수도 있지만 이제 그런 것에는 정말 많이 무뎌졌다. 나름 이런저런 일들을 일찍 겪어봤기에, 그쪽으로는 거의 득도한 것 같다. 이거 하나는 자신한다.

알 만한 사람은 다 알겠지만 사실 이동건은 배우로 데뷔하지 않았다. 고등학생 때 가수로 데뷔했지 않았나?
참 이상하게 데뷔하게 됐다. 소속사에 가야 한다는 친한 형들을 덩달아 따라 갔다가 데뷔한 격이니까. 유명인이 되는 꿈은 꿔본 적도 없었다. 가수에서 연기자로 전환한 것도 내 의지와는 상관없이 이루어졌다. 음악이야 원래 좋아했다 치자. 연기는 생각 밖의 일이었다. 그런데 한두 작품 하다 보니 연기 잘하는 사람들이 부럽더라. 그런 사람들을 동경하게 됐다. 잘하고 싶었다. 내가 못하는 게 죽도록 싫었다. 그렇게 여기까지 온 것 같다.

결국 그렇게 하게 되는 일이 자신의 업인 것 같다.
나도 그렇게 이야기한다. 연기자가 내 천직이라고. 필연적이었던 것 같다고.

어린 나이에 유명세를 치른 것이 이동건의 천성과는 잘 맞았나?
인격이 형성되기도 전에 이런 일을 하게 돼서 잘 모르겠다. 그런 판단을 할 겨를이 없었다. 많은 사람들이 알아보는 삶을 살아가는 것이 너무 좋을 때도, 지겹게 싫을 때도 있었다. 늘 공존했다. 지금은 감사한 마음만 있다. 나이를 먹다 보니 그렇게 됐다.

사람들은 대개 이동건을 젠틀하고 부드러운 사람이라 여긴다.
그렇다면 작전 성공이다. 나는 젠틀한 사람이고 싶다. 신사라는 거, 이름표 달고 태어나지 않는 것이니까. 노력으로 만들 수 있는 게, 신사적인 면이다.

재미있는 사람이기도 한가?
노력은 한다. 하하. 젠틀하기보다 어려운 게 재미있는 사람이 되는 거다. 나는 그렇게 재미있는 사람이 못 되지만, 나에게도 나름 유머는 있다. 알아봐주면 고마운 정도의 유머. 나랑 가까운 사람들은 알 거다. 가끔은 웃기다고 해준다.

혹시 이제껏 못 보여줬거나, 보여주고 싶어 노력했는데 사람들이 봐주지 않은 면이 있는가?
왜 화이트칼라 캐릭터만 하느냐는 질문을 받은 적이 있다. 하지만 나도 양아치나 삼류 건달이 되어본 적이 있다. 대역 없이 자동차 스턴트를 하다 사고가 난 적도 있다. 모르는 이들이 꽤 있는데, 그들이 나의 그런 모습을 봐주지 않았고 관심이 없었고 좋아하지 않았을 뿐이다.

왜일까? 이동건이 다른 면을 보여줬을 때 왜 사람들은 무심했을까?
내가 부족했기 때문일 거다. 알고 있던 이동건이 아닌 다른 모습을 본다는 것이, 그저 싫었을 수도 있다. 내가 그 간극을 메우거나 압도할 만큼 잘하지 못했을 수도 있다. 연기자는 철저히 평가받고 선택받는 위치에 놓이는 직업이다. 배우가 할 수 있는 일은, 그냥 열심히 하는 것뿐이다. 막연한 바람을 안고 최선을 다하다 보면, 운이 좋은 어떤 날 많은 사람들이 관심 있게 봐줄 수도 있겠지. 그럼 그 모습이 사람들의 머릿속에 새롭게 기억될 거다.

이동건이 보여줄 수 있는, 지금까지와는 다른 결에는 뭐가 있을까? 열렬히 해보고 싶은 역할이 있나?
보통은 그런 질문에 대답을 잘 못하는데, 지금 딱 떠오르는 게 하나 있다. 영화 <드라이브>의 라이언 고슬링이 했던 역할. 라이언 고슬링도 따지고 보면 거칠게 생긴 남자는 아니지 않나. 곱고 왜소하다. 대단한 ‘머슬 맨’도 아니고 키가 크지도 않은 것 같다. 그런데 그 영화에서 정말 터프했다. 사실 동경하는 작품이나 역할은 많다. 그런데 그중 99%는 시켜줘도 못할 것들이다. 나에겐 그런 눈빛이 없고, 그런 숨소리가 없으니까. 그런데 <드라이브>는, 그런 영화가 나에게 온다면 할 수 있을지도 모르겠다는 생각을 막연히 했다. 

뭘 좋아하는 사람인가 궁금해서 찾아봤는데 의외로 정보가 없더라. 연애 상대 외에, 사적인 부분은 알려진 게 많지 않다. 골프를 즐겼다는 것 정도?
게임도 좋아한다. 고등학교 때부터 <위닝 일레븐>을 매해 새 버전으로 즐긴다. <위닝 일레븐>을 진짜 잘한다고 해서 권상우 씨와 붙었는데, 내가 이겼다. 함께 군 생활을 한 친구들 중에는 최자가 제일 잘했는데, 내가 이겼다. 내 주변이나 연예계에서 잘한다는 사람들은 내가 다 이긴 것 같다. 하하. 게임 말고는 커피. 워낙 좋아해서 이번 드라마 끝나고는 전자동 커피 머신을 반자동으로 바꿨다. 이제 직접 압력을 조절해서 커피를 추출한다. 누구에게 만들어줄 실력은 못 되고, 그냥 재미있어서 한다.

사적인 생활과 그 주변은 굉장히 잘 정돈되어 있을 것 같다.
정확하게 맞췄다. 주어진 하루에 대한 책임감이 강하다. 나의 하루 일상에 제약을 많이 둔다. 무조건 운동해야 하고, 8시간은 자야 한다. 먹는 걸 좋아하지만 식단도 철저히 컨트롤한다. 또래가 보면 이해 못할 정도다. 질 좋은 단백질 식품과 적당량의 채소를 매 끼 꼭 먹으려고 노력하거든. 식단을 지키지 못할 때에는 아예 안 먹는다.

방탕하게 보내버리고 싶은 날에는 어떻게 하나?
있지. 그럴 땐 단단하게 만들어둔 생활의 사이클을 무너트린다. 우선 전날 밤에 술을 많이 먹겠지. ‘혼술’을 즐기는데 집에서 내가 좋아하는 술을 취할 때까지 마신다. 당연히 늦은 시간에 시작해 끝까지 마신다. 그럼 일단 다음 날의 사이클이 무너진다. 술 먹고 늦잠 자는 일로 하루를 시작하는 거다. 그런 날에는 햄버거도 시켜 먹고 짜장면도 먹는다. 운동도 안 하고, 씻지도 않는다거나. 그러면 스트레스가 풀린다.

이상하게 집착하거나 수집하는 대상이 있기도 한가?
딱히 없다. 잔정이 없다. 좋아하는 것은 많지만, 좋아하는 걸 수집하기보다 주변 사람들과 나눠 가지거나 선물하는 걸 즐긴다. 운동화를 좋아하거든. 하지만 신발장의 용량을 넘어설 만큼은 결코 갖고 있지 않다. 개수가 지나치게 늘어나면, 버리거나 갖고 싶어 하는 친구들에게 준다. 오래된 친구들은 그런 습관을 너무 잘 알아서, 말하지 않아도 챙겨 간다.

예전 인터뷰에서 이런 말을 했었다. “멋있을 때까지만 하고 싶다”고.
그때 아주 잘못 대답한 것 같다. 멋이라는 단어를 잘못 쓴 것 같다. 그때 말한 멋은 ‘내 생각에 멋있다고 생각하는 것’을 말했다. 나 스스로 멋있다고 느끼는 순간까지만 하고 싶다는 의미였다. 어쩌면 당연한 말인데 그때 쓴 ‘멋’이라는 단어가 계속 다른 질문을 유발한다. 나이를 먹다 보니 멋보다 중요한 것도 많다는 생각을 한다. 그래서 그 대답은 이번 기회에 취소하고 싶다. 하하. 언젠가 원하지 않은 상황에서 ‘지금은 멋있다고 생각하세요?’ 같은 질문을 받으면 난감할 것 같거든.

멋있는 배우라는 건 뭘까?
성실한 배우. 두 시간쯤 늦게 와서 대본 보고 멋있는 연기를 하는 거? 그런 거 별로 안 멋있다. 성실한 배우가 늘 멋지고 존경스럽다.

이제 서른여덟, 만으로 서른일곱이다. 그런데 이게 의미가 있나?
아직 너무 건강하기에 별 의미가 없다. 서른여덟이라는 숫자가 나에게 어떤 압박이나 영향을 주지도 않는다. 다만 사회적으로 혹은 부모님의 아들로서 인식하는 상대적인 위치는 있지. 아버지가 올해 일흔이시다. 아버지에게 나는 ‘아직 장가 안 간 아들’이고. 쓸데없는 실수, 흔들림 같은 건 없어야 하는 나이인 것 같다. 마흔은 불혹이니까. 이제 곧 어떤 유혹에도 넘어가지 않아야 하는데, 미리 좀 준비해야겠다.

 

[luvsdramas]

I put this through Google translate so it might be strange. The Arena Homme interview, 2017. If anyone has a more accurate version, pls post it. Pls don't quote this interview elsewhere as LDG's words may come across wrong or too strange.

http://m.media.daum.net/m/life/style/fashion/newsview?newsId=20170411110844488

 

Do people misunderstand about you?/ What do people misunderstand about you?

I am not a very sincere actor, I play a lot, I try to rest for a long time. Let's just say the story that can be easily recalled. But this is a misunderstanding. I can not start and see personality. Anyone can be confident and ready when they are ready. As a result, the number of selected works was very small compared to the scripts received. I do not really know the other misunderstandings. I do not see any comment on the article or SNS at all. It does not communicate.

Have you ever tried SNS?

None. It seems to be one of them when I see people who communicate with me these days. Things to be proud or to hide. Who reveals real life. I eat something special, I own a nice one, I am proud to be in a nice place. I have no hobbies (interest?/ inclination?) in it. I do not have much to boast about, I have a bright moment, but I do not want to show it to anyone. It is similar to the fact that I do not talk much in interviews.

Do you sometimes wonder about feedback on your work?

It would be nice to hear it. However, there are obvious hurts. There are words that are intended to hurt. I think it is better to not see such things.

What do you do when you need honesty and objectivity?

If you are curious, you can ask around, but usually you do not listen to it and feel it yourself. Self-objectivity is good. I feel it when I'm doing something wrong. I am good at acknowledging my mistakes, I am trying to find other answers quickly, and I am comfortable.

Laurel tree tailors was a long breathtaking soap opera taken for eight months. Do you have the most memorable moments?

Every Thursday morning at 9 am. At that time, all cast members gathered and practiced script. Set up all necessary sets of soap operas, take three or four cameras, and photograph them as they play. The actor must postpone breathing as it does on stage. Do not install special lighting for any actor. It does not take the part of the actor to emphasize separately. We photographed an average of 50 shots a day, and each week we gathered together to read and rehearse for smooth progress. The time was the happiest. It's like the time for the whole family to gather.

Dongjin of <laurels> was clothes familiar to Dong-Gun. If you think that 'actors are irresponsible to do as they are in the script', I think there were a lot of troubles. 

Right. There was no fear or fear of casting. Cool, white-collar people, workaholics. I ride in the back of the car wearing suits ... That's familiar. The horror of this drama was in other places. I have the strength/ability to drag the character named Dongjin for six months. I usually did a drama that was broadcast for about three months, and there were a lot of unsuccessful works even though I was successful. It was vague.

How did you do it?

I decided to postpone it somewhat differently from the given character. Dong Jin does not laugh all the way through the first half. I did not laugh for a month since I started filming. I'll have a smile on as we move to the second half. It is much more than the author or director thinks. There must have been some gods who had to reveal their feelings, as I did with my stubbornness. I have this conviction. At least I'm sure I know better about the characters I play.

Then, it seems that Dongjin was in love and laughed so badly that he did not like it, and gave a pleasure to the people who expressed it.

I believed that it was the power of a character called Dong Jin. He trusted the directors and other colleagues at the scene. I think they also believe in me. Thank you.

Did you say that there are enemies who succeeded and failed?

I had a lot of failure.

However, Lee seems to be a person who does well and is not greatly affected by what is not. It did not fall so badly, nor was it elevated because it was good.

It is very hard work. When I was so young, I had great success when I did not know anything. I can have more success or fail in the future, but now it has dulled things. I've been through these and other things early, it seems to me almost like that. This one is confident. 

Actually everyone knows but he did not debut as an actor. Did you debut as a singer while in high school?

It was a strange debut. It is because I made debut after following a close brother friend  who had to go to his agency. I have never dreamed of becoming a celebrity. I was able to switch from singer to actor regardless of my will. I like music originally. Acting was out of the question. But when I did one or two works, people who acted well envied me. I am longing for those people. I wanted to do well. I did not want the 1 or 2 works to die. It seems to have come so far.

 

To be continued.. there are more than 10 questions left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[luvsdramas]

@me040298

Interview continued here. Pls note this is via google translate so there will be strange things and some inaccuracies.

....................................................,

Interviewer: In the end it seems to be his work to do that.

LDG: That's what I'm talking about. It is my honour, to act. I guess it was inevitable. 

Was it a good match with Dong Gun's nature to be famous at a young age?

I do not know because I have to do this before my personality is formed. There's no way to make such a judgment. There are times when it is too good to live a life that many people recognize, and sometimes I hate it. I always coexisted. Now I have only gratitude. When I was older, it did.

People usually think of him as a gentle and soft person.

Then the operation is successful. I want to be a gentle person. Because it is a shrine, with a name tag and not born. What we can make with effort is gentleman aspect.

Is he also a fun person?

Efforts are made. haha. It's difficult to be fun when you are gentle. I am not such a funny person, but I have a sense of humor. It is appreciated humorous if you look. I know people close to me. Sometimes it's funny.

Have you ever seen or tried to show but people have not seen it?

I have been asked why only white-collar characters. But I have also been a maniac or a third-rate loser. I've never had a car stunt without a band. There are quite a few who do not know, they did not look like me, they did not care, they just did not like it.

Why? Why would people not care / care less when Dong Gun shows a different side?

Probably because I was lacking. It may be that they did not like seeing other than the Lee Dong Gun they knew. I may not have done well enough to fill the gap. Actors are occupations that are placed in a position to be thoroughly evaluated and selected. What an actor can do is just to work hard. If you do your best, with the wind, you might be lucky enough to see many people interested. It's good to have you. Maybe you can take care of many people. Then it will be something new that will be remembered in people's minds.

What is different that Lee Dong Gun can show? Is there a role you want to play enthusiastically?

Usually I cannot answer that question, but there is one thing that comes to my mind. Ryan Gosling's role in the movie <Drive>. Ryan Gosling is not a rough guy, either. Not a great 'muscle man' nor tall. But he was really tough in the movie. In fact, there are many works and roles that I admire. But 99% of them are things that cannot be done. I do not have eyes like that, no such breadth. However, <Drive> I vaguely thought that if such a movie came to me, I could do it. 

I was curious to see what he likes, but I did not have any information. Besides dating, the private part is not much known. Have you enjoyed golfing?

I also like games. Since high school, I enjoy <Winning Eleven> every year as a new version. Winning Eleven is really good, so I got with Kwon Sangwoo, and I won. Among the friends who played military life together, Choi was the best, but I won. People around me or in the entertainment industry seem to have won. haha. Other than games, coffee. I liked it so I changed the automatic coffee machine to semiautomatic after this drama. The coffee is now extracted by adjusting the direct pressure. I do not have the ability to make it for anyone, I just have fun.

My personal life and surroundings seem to be very well-organized.

Precisely aligned. I have a strong sense of responsibility for a given day. I put a lot of restrictions on my daily life. You have to exercise unconditionally and sleep for 8 hours. I like to eat but I also control the diet thoroughly. I cannot understand it when my peers see it. I try to eat good quality protein food and proper amount of vegetables. If you can not keep your diet, do not eat at all.

What do you do when you want to have a good day?

Yes. At that time, break down the cycle of life. First, I'll drink a lot the night before. I enjoy drinking at home and I take my favorite drink. Of course I start late and drink until the end. Then the cycle of the next day is broken. Start the day by drinking and sleeping. On that day, I eat hamburgers and eat meals. I do not exercise, do not wash. Then the stress is released.

Are there any objects that you are strangely obsessed with or collect?

Not really. There is no excessive collection. There are a lot of things I like, but rather than collecting what I like, I enjoy sharing and presenting with people around me. I like sports shoes. But I never have that many to go beyond the capacity of the shoe box. If the number increases excessively, give it to friends who want, to clear it. Old friends are so familiar with such habits, so they do not have to say anything.

I said this in my previous interview. "I only want to be cool until I can."

I seem to have said the wrong word at that time. I said, "I think it's cool to me." It means that I want to do only until the moment I feel wonderful/nice. Maybe, of course, the word 'cool' (‘멋’) that I wrote then keeps on raising other questions. When I grow old, I think there are more important things than fashion. So I want to cancel the answer on this occasion. haha. Someday i think it's awkward to be asked questions like 'Do you think it's cool now?'

What is a great actor?

A sincere actor. Do you come 2 hours late to play the script? It is not so cool. A sincere actor is always nice and respectful. 

Now 38, 37 is only. But is this meaningful?

It's still good to be healthy. 38 does not give me any pressure or influence. But there is a relative position to be perceived socially or recognised as the son of your parents. My father is seventy years old. To my father I am the son who has not yet married. It seems to be the age when there should be no unnecessary mistakes, no fluctuations. Forty-nine is irrevocable. Since you are old enough, you should not be tempted. I need to get ready in advance.

End of interview. 

 

 

 

[delphinium8593]

 

[pinkdicentra]

I wanted to post a few scenes of LDG's acting from his previous projects in anticipation of his upcoming antagonist role. I haven't read any criticisms or doubts about his ability to portray the role, but there are always the occasional remark that he is a boring actor. I don't know if that means for those people that he is not a scene stealer, because if that is the case, I can partly agree. I find LDG's acting more of the natural and subtle kind, perfect for melancholic or heart-wrenching scenarios. He becomes part of character rather than acting for effect. That said, people always seem to remember his prim-and-proper drama image despite is continual attempts to change their perception with different roles. Ironically, his most popular role, from Lovers in Paris, can be considered an antagonist and was actually on the darker side. Here are some gifs from Lovers in Paris and If in Love Like Them, showing a rougher, more desperate side of his acting. I wanted to do some for Smile Again as well, but didn't have enough time. Anyway, I am confident that he will do a great job in Seven Day Queen, and hopefully people will recognize that he can be quite versatile as an actor.

[pal2017]

[pal2017]

[pal2017]

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[pal2017]