Lee Seung Gi talks acting-singing, meeting Ha Ji Won, and The King 2 Hearts sequel? [Post TK2H interview]

Lee Seung Gi, acting with Ha Ji Won a ‘wish come true’…
and as an actor, many things were gained

English: LSGfan via Daily Focus

[June 10, 2012. Reporter Chung Sun Shik] Starting out at 16.2% with the first episode, the tv ratings decreased over time. However, he was not shaken. Lee Seung Gi (25) said, ‘If I was conscientious about tv ratings from the start, I would have been more mindful about a specific genre or target audience. I was taken aback at first, however, it would’ve been like winning the lottery if even the tv ratings had been high.’

‘Long time ago, if the tv ratings did not come out well, I would think it was a huge deal or that my popularity was waning. (laughs) But I believe actors also need to make decisions based on projects and characters. With a North-South Korea story in the foreground, ‘The King 2 Hearts’ was not a story that a lot of people could easily empathize with. However, as an actor, I learned the proper method to hone my skills, thus, I gained so many things.’

More than the melo storyline between the two lead actors, ‘The King 2 Hearts’ involved a heavy and serious story and the pressure on Lee Seung Gi was quite formidable. During the drama, there was death, kidnapping, among other things and demanded a lot from the lead actors.

‘There isn’t a more varied and complicated character like Lee Jaeha. His older brother faces accidental death, his younger sister becomes paralyzed from the waist-down. Even the woman he loves gets kidnapped. As a real person, this character could have just died due to all the hardship. I think I naturally immersed myself, thinking ‘What would Lee Jaeha have done?’ or ‘How would Lee Jaeha shown his love?’ Teachers Lee Soon Jae and Yoon Yeo Jung also taught me a lot. While doing this project, it was the first time I felt I was fully acting entirely as the character.’

It was one of of his wishes to act with Ha Jiwon. During filming, he even mentioned Ha Jiwon as his ideal type in an entertainment show interview. Responding to this, Lee Seunggi said, ‘It was a wish of mine to act with Jiwon noona, so my wish came true through this drama.’ (laughs)

‘I met Jiwon noona at an event a few years ago. At that time, I told her I wanted to act with her sometime, but Jiwon noona didn’t say anything and only giggled. So inside, I felt disheartened thinking I had been rejected. However, when I got to know her, Noona tends to be very shy and gets embarrassed easily and has a cautious personality, and so after things were finalized later on, she said she acted that way because she wasn’t sure we’d be able to work together. However, I feel disappointed since the melo line in this drama was kind of weak. If the opportunity arises, I’d like to do a deep love story with Jiwon Noona in a ‘The King 2 Hearts’ sequel. Ha Ha.’

Active on various fronts as a singer, actor, MC, I asked him point-blank: ‘Is Lee Seung Gi an actor, or is he a singer?’ He answered in a profound way, ‘I tend to be good at being an actor and singer.’

‘While there are many singers who are acting, I don’t think there are many people who can immediately go from actor to singer, and singer to actor in an active and organic way. I believe there’s a synergy effect I have in this area. Rather than be solely immersed in one area, I want to create energy in diverse fields. Actor, singer, I don’t want to let go of either things.’

Lee Seung Gi is the representative ‘uhm-chin-ah’ ‘model student’ ‘Nation’s son.’ It’s to the degree that he is famous for being known as ‘Lee Seung Gi that the paparazzi have given up on.’

Lee Seung Gi said, ‘At first, I felt very burdened by this type of image, but if I were to be conscientious of it, I would end up getting stifled by it without realizing it, so these days, I just do as I would comfortably and naturally’ and added, ‘While I may come off lacking if I say this, but it would be good if people didn’t overestimate me.’ (laughs)

The lifestyle that Lee Seung Gi prefers is simple and somewhat lackluster. In his free time, he exercises and has drinks with friends once in a while  and that’s pretty much it. When he rests, his personality tend to go for 3 nights 4 days at the most, and when he travels, he prefers to sight-see rather than rest or recuperate.

‘I think it would be great to rest when I’m involved in a project, but once I’m resting, I find there’s not much to it. I think that a break isn’t that necessary. Therefore, I’m thinking I should get involved in filming my next project in the latter part of this year.’

Ok, come on reporter.  I think Seunggi does do SOME more fun and interesting things in his spare time!  I don’t think Koreans really get self-deprecating humor!  And, ok, can we all agree that Lee Seung Gi is truly perfect HUSBAND material??!!!

Some girl, some day, is going to be sooooo super duper lucky!!!!

Oh Seunggi~~~ sometimes, your sincerity, honesty, and humility is just too much!  Like we’re not used to our celebs and actors not being all arrogant, pompous, self-abosrbed, and talking in spin!  But that’s why we like you, because while we love your acting and how you play your characters, we are foremost fans of the real-deal Lee Seung Gi.  And that’s what sets you apart from others!!!

More importantly… please tell me the press outfits get better!  (*shakes fist at Cody*)

See related posts:

• [BTS video] The King 2 Hearts final filming, NGs, goodbyes
• Ideal type has changed to Ha Ji Won [Section TV recap, 2012.05.20]
• Photographer Cho Sei Hon talks working with Lee Seung Gi
• Yoon Yeo Jung talks well-mannered actors and Lee Seung Gi
• [BTS video] The King 2 Hearts interview: Ha Ji Won talks teary-eyed chemistry with Lee Seung Gi
• Lee Sung Min talks ‘The King 2 Hearts’ and Lee Seung Gi
• Entertainment’s elder statesman Lee Soon Jae’s take on idol actors, smart sensible young actors, and Lee Seung Gi

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