Reporter: On “On Air” you played a Management Manger. In reality, this need a great expense to the character content. What is needed to bring this portrayal out?
Lee: Lately, I have realised and experienced the toils and hardship being a Manager (laughs)
Reporter: I would specially like to mention that Jang Gi Joo’s great suffering, bearing a stubborn love, when everything has shunned from him, can this person still be standing tall in the industry? (Smiles)
Lee: Frankly speaking, any challenges in society in itself has to follow a prescribed pattern in speech or action, to execute it is not easy to say in the least. However Jang Ji Joo in this industry doesn’t care less of the success and be able to hurdle through the obstacles in his way. This is not being just being the Manager in principal but no matter what it is, he will ride this way as a person.
“Don’t care less if it is the past or present, I look towards life with a great sense of curiosity “
Reporter: It has been always seen this suffering, bearing a stubborn love of Jang Ji Joo, this is very different from the character of “Surgeon Bong Dal Hee” - Ahn Jung Geun. Ahn Jung Geun is straight forward, hot temper and will shouts from his top of his larynx. However Jang Ji Joo will always be calm rather doing persuasion and use many other methods in doing it.
Lee: If you say that of Ahn Jung Geun, this is only his strong trades of his character as to compare to the likes of Jang Ji Joo who is more settled. So that is why I need to grip hold of that part of the characteristic to play this character. If I don’t hold that character well secured, it may falter to being something else. Normally, he has very good personal skill with people. When there are times with PD and Writer, he will raise his voice and lose his temper plus sometimes there are times he may have thrown a few punches to someone. I have to give him that characteristic as my main importance to tackle his character. This gives him some what a common denominator.
Reporter: What is the common denominator?
Lee: Pure in feelings, soul and enthusiasm. In my point of view, this is what it is. What is “spare no effort to do one’s utmost”? Then because of that no matter what the matter is to solve it well. So there is a lot of emotion expression that goes on in it. Because of an artiste, if he needs to kneel down he will do it. He will think of ways to have his artiste be a part of that shoot and will make to realise that matter into reality. In order to let others know that this effort have been rendered. Don’t use method that is not fair by means or foul, just the method of manner that is very straight forward & righteous from his heart to be convince of everything. So there are times when punches will speak the loudest the most. The people may think of him as so kind, on the contrary people will see his kindness as being underestimated.
Reporter: You’re acting in comparison between TV dramas and Movies are so much of a great differences. In TV dramas, there are many sides to you that appear, so you can excel in them. However you need to digest a very tight hectic sometimes nerve wrecking schedule
Lee: Coming to think of it, because of the schedule being so tight, there are bound to have some chaos. There is a need to shoot a scene repetitively, so the responsibility is greater and nerve wrecking. However in term of acting perspective in regardless of drama or movie there are similar. I want to say even if the script is not out yet; you should be at least being focus to your utmost effort to the script that is already present.
Reporter: However between acting in dramas & other media appearances your responses are slight different. In the movie the people always associate you with the character in “Superstar Mr Gam” that type of character while else in TV drama with a longer period in episodes your charisma then to be reveal to the audience
Lee: This is because of the TV audience own perception of the character they see. From the dramas you can find an artistic style. I would think the reason behind it that the character are more in depth, from there I can allow the audiences to see the many changes in the character
Reporter: Is that to say, to act in a TV drama is more meaningful? In drama you have been well received by the audience’s natural responses more widely.
Lee: Yes indeed. Compare to the character of Ahn Jung Geun and the characters I played before in the movies is totally different. If there is a movie that requires this type of character, I will gladly go and shoot it.
“To be able to see the audiences on reaction to what I have never revealed in my acting, it feels very amusing”
Reporter: What is there in Ahn Jung Geun that captivated you?
Lee: I can see an in depth to the character. Ahn Jun Geun’s fierce and vigorous is his single entity in his character, but behind it you can see the tragedy of being abandon and forsaken. He looks towards his own profession with great enthusiasm. Jang Ji Joo is more complex, there is a need to be more non realistic to the story. No matter what had happen in the past and present. I look towards life with great hope and interest, so between the character and I, I need to bring this to the screen. It is also that what I started in the beginning and in the end, the character is no longer the same. This captivates me.
Reporter: However from the start of your career you have never brought forward the likes of these characters. A lot of people perceived you are either the violent action or else comical character. Will you feel this somewhat depressing?
Lee: Who hasn’t been through that kind of emotions? If we are not satisfied, we need find ways to overcome and change. It feels very frustrating. What kind of character can I played? But it is always playing back these same characters over and over again. My acting is just limited to just violent action or comical movies. However there is many more opportunity out there that I will be able to give more of my variation acting abilities to the audience. So I am here with this set of impression & strong upholding it. After “Superstar Mr Gam” I proceed to try out different roles, the result of it you can now see in Ahn Jung Gun and Jang Ji Joo respectively.
Reporter: In “Sunrise City” to the present “On Air” What is your feeling and interest on it? From TV Short drama starring role to drama main lead. This period of 10 years, what have you done and will need to change?
Lee: Firstly, I have always put my utmost effort on the projects I am in. No matter what, whether I like it or not. Handsome man or just ruffians, I will do it thoroughly. I am far sighted in the things I do, and will put great effort in accomplish it. However any artistes have to face the fact that selection of typecasting. There are artiste that be able to accept the characters but not necessary the person. There are artistes who have acted, gain fame and is printed in the audience’s heart. So this I have question myself, if I were to become an artiste that accept the role and becomes the role, as for me it is very tragic. Of course that artiste has given effort in that portrayal. But in my view, artiste limits to or else fixed is definitely non applicable. So because if we get fix ourselves to it, we may not be able to have more forward advancement and improvement to our acting
Reporter: Why do you want to this kind of artiste?
Lee: I don’t want to be an artiste that is being typecast. No matter what it is? No matter if it can be done or what it just makes out to be. There is one more part to add….This is very interesting. I have already known what the public expectation of me. But those who have seen me “Sunrise City” may think that I’m just that particular character. I want people to see “On Air” will be able let them see a different part of me. I press myself that I’m willing to bring these essences out. One push (smiles) it will appear as another character to the audiences. Once the audience see it, they will be aroused growing by curiosity & suspicion. There will be full of astonishment in response with an explosive rumours. I really will find that interesting
“Just like me, the journey I have to take as an artiste there is still difficulties”
Reporter: The present day you, is the public audience perception that you now have “Star” ratings quality?
Lee: This intention, this kind of interest is very good. Just to emphasis a little as to say. From the time you seen “Sunrise City” a beggar in poverty would had pass through the roles of Lee Beum Soo is part and parcel of that passage. Don’t feel that Lee Beum Soo is giving more of himself to let the audiences see but it should be Lee Beum Soo suitable to portray that character. However between “Sunrise City” story and Lee Beum Soo’s Ahn Jung Geun and Jang Gi Joo, I have received many clothing CF and also female audiences fans and the public much talk reports about “High profile man” This is actually derive from whom?
Reporter: There must be a special experience for you. You from a greenhorn unwittingly have become public recognition. Now you have become the drama main lead.
Lee: It is totally coincidences, really coincidences (laughs). Just thinking how I started my career, who can say anything else? (Laughs) This is definitely because that I have taken the right course. From when I started with “Sunrise City” this was my aim. Although I played a beggar but I am willing to digest to do other characters as well. No matter what characters I played I will not be wayward on it. This is my principal. The times I have been busy for the past 2-3 years. The principal is slowly demising. No matter what literate works is it? If there is a literate work that is different from the last, I will pursue to do it. So that will be the time to consider what the public wants of me. However at the present moment, I will try to give what the audiences will like. Frankly I will put this following on a transitional stage and carry on with this phase. I always thought when there will be a story that I played a handsome rich man, don’t know if I can be suitable to played such characters. I will choose that I can grip hold of Gi Joo character and be able to bring it out on screen. Now I can whether I can emphasis the manly charisma to come towards me. Maybe there is a need to play that part, I will definitely be able to be readily prepare & focus for it, and especially I have been paying a lot of attention in building my body.
Reporter: In that situation, do you want to be artiste with substance with Star quality?
Lee: Yes indeed. This is the best that will change from being known to played ruffians Lee Beum Soo. It was as though it was buried deep in thought at the back of my mind towards my career path (laughs). I have not hoped that to use much effort in order to change it. But allow to be accepted by the audiences perception of me to reveal
Reporter: Aren’t you worried about it? You have become a Star because of TV dramas. Whatever you say will become a topic of discussion. In the opposite, dramas every episodes until it end its run, will also the receiving that kind of meaning of reviews
Lee: Actually that kind of matter, I don’t condone in doing it. At the same time, it is also a burden that cannot be avoided. The reaction is too quick. It is exhausting. The days are getting wearier. Now I am in the midst of doing things that are correct. Follow what I think; I want to be exact, healthy in the long run.
“Star & Artiste, both I want to be”
Reporter: It is said that “personality” looks like you really need to have one?
Lee: Is it really that….It is not proper. Don’t care what the character is; just make the utmost effort to play it. This is promising. The literate works have a commercial value to it. It can be able to represent and indicate the meaning to the actors. The most important is how to bring the performance from one to being two. To be into the eyes of the people often perceive that artiste being compare to the actual characters they played. In the opposite if he plays a handsome man, he is perceive as a Star. They will say he acted well. If he is not handsome, The Star quality are not been praise well enough and never for acting ability. I am really dissatisfied with this totally. I really want to write headlines on it. I often hear from other people on my own acting, to be honest it feel great. But in thinking deeply for a sceond, there is something a miss about it. If it is the artiste, of course he wants to be pretty is nothing. But to become pretty but the acting ability that is nothing is to be said. I deeply ponder on both the matters. Anyhow I am now in the midst of starting my journey. From the start of my career path till now that I’m standing now, I can decide which direction of course should I take?
Reporter: Is it? You are now having an acting ability to be reckoned with. Female fans are aplenty (laughs). You can go and select the scripts you want. It is great. Now what do you want to do next?
Lee: 2 years ago, some date back, all of a sudden I find that there was nothing that is worth doing. From the start I have often follow my principals & ran with it. There was a rumour that I couldn’t have that aspiration. From then onwards I began to take notice what I haven’t done, bestow to making it a reality. I will not for now, will definitely be saying if I should be doing this or that. But my aspiration is going to grow wider. From the start of my career until the presently at this interview, now is just entering into the game. It feels magnificent. As an example, “On Air” will be aired in Japan in July. What happen, we may never know? Also, no one knew before that I could sing. Now there are great interests to invite me to record an album. It is seen that in this period of 2-3 years, I have come to this stage that I don’t know where the horizons lies. For other it is time to swipe that “card” As for me, I will never bring out that “card” It is really great.
Reporter: “On Air” Jang Gi Joo have change Oh Seung Ah from a Star to an Artiste. But currently as to you, you have change from an Artiste to a Star.
Lee: Errrr!…..This question is very intense….Yes….I have always hoped to be that. This is not a combination of just 1 or 2 days effort, this is the result of my past and my present
Credit to {http://www.leebeomsoo.cn/bbs} for Korean to Chinese translation.
Personally, i don’t really like him in Surgeon Bong Dal Hee. Being fierce and vigorous doesn’t mean you have to shout all the time. There’s always other way to portray the character well without shouting. Thank god he’s much much more cooler in On Air.
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Awww … he really looked good in the photos. I hope to see him very soon playing a handsome rich man in a romantic comedy.
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Funny, I went the other way. I fell in love with Lee Boom Soo in SBDH and I don’t really care much for On Air.
He is very much a chameleon and has the acting chops to portray a wide variety of characters.
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I enjoyed his performance in SBDH as well. In ‘On Air’, it takes a while (about 2/3 of the series) to get use to his character. Then again, I’m not a fan of On Air.
His next project is a horror movie schedule to release in late summer, co-starring with him is Nam Gyu Ri of SeeYa. They’ve worked together about a year ago in a SG Wannabe MV ‘The Precious History’.
This time, they’ll take on teacher-student roles respectively.
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I absolutely loved him in ‘Surgeon Bong Dal Hee’ and Lee Beom Soo will be eternally be for me as Ahn Jung Geun. From his shouting tactics to his ’school boy’ ideas of romancing a woman.
I like the attentiveness he shows to his ‘women’ on ‘On Air’ but I think he is a little overboard in pampering the women’s egos.
Errr … his ‘Jang Gi Joon’s’ theory about women with painted faces are not to be trusted. Mmmm … that hurts because I wear make-up everyday.
As the chinese has a saying ‘ One long bamboo stick cannot beat the whole boat of people’. You cannot give the same reference to everyone of the same manner.
I hope a ‘painted’ face will teach Jang Gi Joon that valuable lesson soon.
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I have a good news for ya to anne and jackie
Song Chang Ui joins ” Yi San” drama shows he is playing a character in there I for got the character name that he is going to play
And Lee Young Ah is coming back with her new drama called “ill gi mae” which it started this wednesday I think she played in starting role I thought I let you know about there news
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actually i dun know this drama, but i do know the drama of surgeon bong dal hee…tat is the movie i first saw lee bum soo…emm…i think he and the other actor in this movie are genius…they can memorize the difficult medical word. i’m so impressed with them. even i had to find the medical dictionary while watching this drama.
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I loved Lee Beom Soo as Dr.Ahn in SBDH..^^ Just started watching On Air because he’s in it, but I don’t really find it as interesting & entertaining as SBDH..
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