The Buzz Magazine Centerfoldcredits: incarnadine @ soompi
PART I
Reporter’s CommentsIt’s is undeniable that we all have pre-set perceptions regarding things around us. The Hit drama My Girl which introduced us to Seo Jeong Woo (LJK), a persona whose features you can assimilate with a female persona, Joo Yu Rin (LDH), a con-girl who has a strong-willed and determined personality and lastly, Seol Gong Chan (LDW), a gentleman who’s calm and serious, but caring at the same time. Therefore, we tend to bring these features into reality. Lee Jun Ki is the neutral one, LDH is the cheerful and fun one and LDW is the more serious and reserved type. However, this aint the truth at all. A short meeting and interview with LDW has changed all our perceptions about this so called serious guy.
On the day of the interview, the weather was really hot that we (Cool Magazine crew) were quite annoyed (bcos of the heat). Nevertheless, the cool and refreshing surroundings of the restaurant which we were supposed to interview LDW at made up for it. ( it was the same restaurant in which we interviewed LJK previously). Not long, a guy with a black and white striped shirt was seen rushing into the restaurant. Our first impression of the guy was that he had a sunny outlook. His appearance had the effect that it was as if we had eaten a Mocha ice-cream, cooling us down amidst the humid weather. When we looked closer, it was Lee Dong Wook, our guest for the day. We were quite awed and shocked when we saw him coming in with a bandaged arm. He was a total reflection of the cute and charming human version of the 版铁臂阿童木 (ok..im not sure what is this, but I think it’s some kind of toy). He saw us looking strangely at his cast, and answered shyly, “ Hehehee..i injured my arm when I was at the gym not long ago.”
Due to him taking medication for his injured arm, a part of his face was swollen. He even asked us to make sure that we film him at a better angle (not to film his swollen part). The whole interview was very fun and lighthearted. Despite being a little shy in the beginning, when it came to interesting topics, instantly he joined in the fun and became more excited.
His love for sports could be seen on his casted/bandaged hand. His love for manhwa comics could be seen through his liking of one of the personas in Deathnote.. etc.. Everything displayed by LDW was that he’s a genuine, dedicated, humble and sunny person. His youthful characteristics actually surpass his serious and self-kept personality that we always see on TV. He’s more of a BOY than a MAN. (during the interview, he even asked his make up artist to fan his bandaged arm! Hahahhah… )
We (Cool Magazine) are very delighted to have met LDW, a sunny personality at this time (hot and humid weather).
PART II: Interview Session by COOL MagWhen did you actually start performing (as an actor)?
During Senior High, I went to a Performing Arts Institute. I loved to act/perform back then and luckily my family supported me.
When you look back then, if you did not become an actor, what would you be now?
Hmmm..If I did not become an actor, I might be a hotel manager or a teacher right now. Something like SGC in My Girl..hehehe..but of course not a hotel Director. Yea…I’m pretty sure that if I didn’t become an actor back then, I would be working in a hotel now! ( hahahha.. he’s so cute and direct with his answers! He wanted to become a teacher!! Hahahahaha…I would surely want to be his student! )
You look as if you are really into sports? What kind of sports do you like?
I am really into sports. Any kind of sports. I will go to the gym whenever I have spare time, although I am not very good at it. (we can see it.. heheh.. from his injury). I injured my arm not long ago because I used the wrong technique and plus I was too rushed and careless. That’s why I always get hurt. My management company constantly asks me to be careful and not to get hurt while exercising, or just stay home when I am free. The last time I got hurt was when I was in Thailand for the shoot and I rested for quite some time.
Not only your company worries for you, your fans worry a lot about you too!
Thank you all for the concern. I will be more careful next time. (smiles..)
How do you actually choose your scripts/projects?
I emphasize more on the internalization and the essence of the character/role. It is important that the role flows smoothly with the script development and the role has its unique inner developments. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a main role or a supporting role.
How do you actually make improvements/ enhance your acting skills? You have any special ways?
I constantly refer to other ppl’s work and learn from their techniques they use to convey their roles. An actor can never improve if he only learns from a sole mentor/teacher because he will only follow and lose his own personality. Hence, he will have no personal breakthrough. Therefore my view is that you can enhance your acting skills by learning from others.
You portrayed a singer in your previous series Wooden Carousel. So what do you think of your singing skills?
Hahahah.. don’t say that. I have never had any singing lessons before. But I actually sang most of the songs in the series, except for one song. Maybe because of the excellent editing of the songs, it came out quite well and nobody really discovered that. Hahaahha.. (smiles)
Do you plan to sing in the future?
I have never given this a thought, plus nobody has come to me before! (hahahaha) Actually for now, I want to focus on being a good actor. As for other areas, well, they can wait until I really have the ability.
You have been in the entertainment industry for 7 years now. What was your impression like compared to what you had expected before stepping into this area?
I think there’s a vast difference when it comes to hard work and the final product. ( I think he means that it depends on luck on whether you succeed, and you might not gain the expected success even if you gave it your best)
So what do you think of your effort?
I think I have given my best, but sometimes the audience do not see it and take it for granted. That’s why we as actors have to put in extra hard work and effort.
Ideal girl type?
If I say that I don't look at the appearance, it would be fake and illogical. If she’s pretty, that’s better. However, the most important thing is that she’s intelligent and sensible. (hmmm..is Mukgu the one for u? ) Because I am quite stubborn and sometimes I am a bit temperamental, that’s why I need someone who can tolerate my childishness.
( I love his straightforwardness.. he just doesn’t hide)
Your biggest interest?
Sports!
We can see that! What comes second?
Comics/Manhwa! My favs are local comic authors Seo Young Man and Lee Young Ki. As for Japanese, I am more into 安达充 ‘s works. My favourite is H2.
If you were given a chance to portray a manhwa role, any particular preferences?
I would like to portray 夜神月( Night Moon God – I duno the enlish name.. srry!) in Death Note. He’s a very mysterious person. It’s very difficult to grasp whether he’s a good or bad guy. It’s as if he’s one of them, one who stands in the middle of good and bad. He writes names of ppl in the notebook and let them die one by one. However, it’s as if he’s punishing the bad.
{hmm..i like his answer here. Very genuine.. and truthful!}
Your favourite Korean stars?
Song Kang Ho and Lee Young Ae.
Your flaws/ not so good personalities?
I think my traits constitute one of my flaws. The thing is that I get too serious especially when it is work-related. Of course it is good to have such a personality when working. I really work to give my best when it comes to work. For example, when choosing a script, I become more dominant because I give most of the opinions. Although the last decision is always made by the company, I have my own views and I am really determined that my decision is the best. That is why some people tend to feel tired when they follow me around and sometimes my company cannot do anything.
Have you been to China before? Where would you like to visit if you were given a chance?
Nope I have not been to China before. I would like to visit Beijing, Shanghai and the picturesque Kuilim. Sure I’d love to visit China one day.
Say something about your love experience?
I don’t like girls who lie/cheat and age is not a problem.
(awww…. he doesn’t like YR.. )
Have you considered having an overseas partner/gf?
Hehe.. I have never really given that a thought. But if I have one, it’s still better if we can communicate! (hahahahha..)
PSY attended your ARANG premier not long ago. Will you attend her movie Gumiho Family premier?
Of course I will go, IF I get invited! Back then I wasn’t able to attend LJK’s Fly Daddy Premier and till now I still feel bad about it.
Do you still keep in touch with your previous co-stars?
Basically I still do keep in touch. Especially with LDH and LJK. (YAY!!!! only Mukgu, no PSY? ) Oh yea.. I still keep in touch with SYA nuna!
Any interest in fashion?
I am not that sensitive about fashion. Although I have been to some fashion shows and modeled from some, in private, I care less. Therefore my image designer always rants about my insensitivity towards fashion. (laughs…). And yea.. because I am a public figure, I seldom go out to shop for clothes. I leave those to my designer. That’s why I am not that knowledgeable when it comes to fashion.
( talking about insensitivity… he still looks good all the time!)
Source: COOL MAGAZINE/ Milky way/ 旭林冬青♀Kin @ baidu for scans and typing the interview out in Chinese
credits: chinese translation 旭林冬青♀Kin @ baidu