Lee Joon Gi: The Big Issue Korea - Raising Awareness About Social Issues

LEE JOON GI

THE BIG ISSUE KOREA

RAISING AWARENESS 

ABOUT

SOCIAL ISSUES

LEE JOON GI THE BIG ISSUE KOREA RAISING AWARENESS  ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUES https://parksunyong.com/Big-Issue-Magazine-Cover-2 The South Korean superstar, Lee Joon Gi, graces the cover of The Big Issue (no. 187), a magazine that benefits the homeless. The magazine, sold by homeless people, is a self-sustaining business which helps vendors tackle the various issues which lead to homelessness. To become a vendor, one must be homeless or almost homeless.  The magazine, which generates income through magazine sales and other revenues, is also produced and sold in many other countries including the UK, Australia, Japan and Taiwan.

LEE JOON GI THE BIG ISSUE KOREA VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2qSi5g_Nr0 THE BIG ISSUE KOREA INTERVIEW SOURCE Translated by  @jg_k_drama https://allaboutjoongi.tumblr.com/ JUST LIKE THAT, BACK TO LEE JOON GI FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF THE BIG ISSUE KOREA The cover model for the latest issue is actor Lee Joon-gi. I only vaguely hoped to have him on the cover of The Big Issue. He also hoped to get involved when the opportunity came along. Then we linked up, and the cover of Issue 187 and the cover story happened naturally. The photos that make you smile just by looking at them, as well as his interview with the right mix of playfulness and seriousness, will charm you. I hope, just as Lee Joon-gi hoped, that his influence turns into positive energy and reaches everybody. May his influence reach every one of those who might feel a bit lonelier than usual during this long Chuseok holiday season. FROM THE EDITOR THE BIG ISSUE KOREA He is not necessarily a prolific actor. But a single glance at his filmography will tell you that he is truly steady and consistent. It reflects his persistent efforts to pour all of his energy and completely immerse himself into his role, no matter what character he takes on. Take a look back at the past works he has starred in and you will only see the characters he plays, with Lee Joon-gi the actor himself evaporated. He is always born anew, and then disappears. It has been 16 years since his debut, and he has lived different lives by playing various characters. Somewhere in between the projects, he finds himself back to ‘Lee Joon-gi.’ This is about the time when he becomes thoroughly Lee Joon-gi, and fragments of the story we shared with him.
Q.	It has already been two months since drama “Lawless Lawyer” wrapped. What have you been up to lately?
LJG	I fell so completely in love with jiu jitsu that I would go to the gym at every opportunity in between shoots. I still do that even now. I have done many striking martial arts, but it’s my first time doing grappling martial arts like jiu jitsu, so it is very refreshing and so much fun. I exercise, get back home, look back at the day today, drink a glass of beer feeling good, and go to bed—these are the things that make me happy.
Q.	It has been a tough summer, with heat waves and torrential rain alternating. Have you done anything special this past summer?
LJG	As you said, this summer has been really tough, so I did not get to spend much time doing active things other than exercise. Instead, I spent the time focusing entirely on myself and recharging my batteries. Exercising, hanging out with people, laughing… I took this opportunity to reflect on the value of ordinary everyday life. I also had a lot of conversations with my family.
Q.	It is not your acting debut, but most people first knew you through the movie “King and the Clown.” It came out back in 2005, so that movie is already 13 years old. You said you watched it over 20 times at the time, and how do you find ‘Gong-gil’ in “King and the Clown,” the way Lee Joon-gi sees him now? Doesn’t it feel strange?
LJG	Gong-gil is the character I cannot forget for the rest of my life. Sometimes I feel a mix of emotions I had at the time of performing in “King and the Clown,” such as the tension, sense of achievement, and beginner’s mindset, washing all over me. I try to absolutely not forget those feelings I had. Gong-gil is the character that most symbolically represents my desperation, eagerness, aspiration, passion as an actor, on top of the innocence I had back then. Furthermore, I always think I must not forget the attitude ‘Actor Lee Joon-gi’ had at the time.
Q.	Your Instagram profile picture has long been ‘Gong-gil.’ Gong-gil seems really special to you.
LJG	My long-held dream of becoming an actor finally became a reality when I met ‘Gong-gil.’ That is why he is extra special to me. Through him, I received overwhelming love from many people. For me, “King and the Clown” is a work that I will not forget for the rest of my life, and so is Gong-gil.
Q.	It has already been 16 years since your debut. Aside from Gong-gil, you have portrayed truly diverse characters as an actor. But there still are many characters you want to portray, aren’t there? Like, the goals you want to achieve as an actor?
LJG	Goals as an actor—that is a difficult question. I want to do my own action performances for a long, long time, as long as my body allows me. Many people worry about me doing dangerous action performances without using a stunt double, and send me lots of support. I know that, so (before filming) I make sure I am fully prepared, and I regularly exercise even during breaks. Goals… Biggest goal is playing an ordinary person you see in everyday life, just the way he is, and conveying those feelings and sincerity to viewers. I have been thinking about this since I was an emerging actor, but lately, those thoughts have become much more intense. Personally, I often feel like, ‘Lee Joon-gi is closer to comedy on set.’ I want to do a project with a comic touch that will allow me to feel and express that comedic side of me.
Q.	Looking back now, what was your most memorable moment?
LJG	I guess those days of “King and the Clown,” because the movie was such a phenomenon that it turned Korea’s cultural industry upside down and had such a strong impact that it quickly became a social issue. Will I ever get to have such moments again? Those were such brilliant moments. Those were the days when ‘actor Lee Joon-gi’ made himself known to the public, a wide variety of audiences beyond national borders for the first time. I always cherish and live with those precious memories. I try not to forget those emotions I had back then, when I need the strength to move forward.
Q.	Any memories you wish to erase?
LJG	Every human being has lots of memories they wish to erase. Normally, they are simple mistakes, or the ones you regret, like “I should not have made that choice.” But now, I almost never have such thoughts, probably because I have changed and become more positive. Even if I did have such thoughts, what difference would it make? I just want to live for today, working hard and having fun, and then welcome tomorrow.   I have received more love than I deserve, and I have felt just as much loneliness. Back then, it was painful, but looking back now, I think those hardships I went through provided the nourishment that made me much stronger. When I had negative thoughts about myself, I was able to get over them and make this far, thanks to my fans who looked out for me and protected me. I want to repay their unending love, which has always exceeded my expectations even when I thought, ‘I could not possibly be more touched by them than I am right now.’
Q.	You’re already famous as an actor who expresses and communicates his feelings towards his fans. I think, in the end, your concert-style fan meetings and the photo books which you put your heart and soul into can be understood along these lines. What do ‘fans’ mean to Lee Joon-gi?
LJG	Fans have stayed with me throughout each project I have done as an actor, and even after that. I want to do something new, various things with my fans that we can share with one another. The fan concerts are precious moments that allow me to bring out my creativity and imagination in a variety of ways even when I am taking a break from work. Also, it’s during those moments that I express my gratitude to my fans who send me unwavering support. Those are my assets and precious memories I will carry with me from here on out.
Q.	I think I now understand why you call your fans ‘family.’
LJG	I call them that because they really are that precious to me. When I thought, ‘I’ve lost everything,’ it was my fans who held on to me. They are like the light I saw when I was in despair. So I feel a tremendous sense of obligation to definitely repay their love. I think, now, we are a shoulder to lean on to each other.
Q.	I think you are an actor who values your relationships with others. You have often reconnect with the people you once worked with, instead of making such relationships just a one-time thing. You worked with Lee Moon-sik on “The 101st Proposal” and “Iljimae,” in addition to “Fly, Daddy, Fly,” and you reunited with director Kim Jin-min, 11 years after drama “Time between Dog and Wolf.”
LJG	I stay in close touch with them. Because I value the relationships and memories I have with them. I call them from time to time to hang loose, have a drink, talk about things we haven’t been able to, and look back on the past. I love the fact that, while those were good times, the lessons I learn from the same old stories take different forms each time I talk about them. To me, that’s ‘healing’!
Q.	Of all the people you became friends with, do you have a particular person in mind that you would love to work with once again?
LJG	I have so many people who are dear to me, so it is not easy to pick just one. However, I told director Lee Joon-ik that I definitely wanted to work with him again someday. Lee Joon-ik told me, “I already made you an ‘actor’ with this really big character, so let’s see what the future holds, instead of right now in this moment.” I should make an extra effort to become a much more mature actor who can contain much more, while waiting for that day [when I work with him again] to come soon. (Laughs)
Q.	You are the kind of actor who makes us anticipate season 2 each time you finish a project. I realize it is not easy to choose, but suppose that season 2 really could happen, which project is it that you’d anticipate the most and you are most curious about?
LJG	If viewers feel that way, that’s the biggest happiness I can have as an actor. To make dramas into serialized seasons, really, lots of conditions must be met. I also think whether to make it seasonal or not is determined only if the needs of the public, and the fans who loved that drama, are satisfied. So I always want it to happen, but I know it is not easy. (Laughs) Personally, and the fans feel the same way, I wish we could have shown more of the ending of “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.” Of course, I am satisfied with the current ending as well. Perhaps, because of the ending we have now, more viewers miss “Scarlet Heart Ryeo.” Also, there are many more works, but since it is the latest work I did, I’d like to single out “Lawless Lawyer”—I wish there would be more to the story of Sang-pil, who has  just finished his revenge task, but continues to beat big evils, undertake small cases as a defense lawyer, and live happily with Jae-yi as a lovey-dovey couple.
Q.	You have starred in many works that contain social messages. I am curious what your thoughts are on stars voicing their opinions on social issues in real life, outside of work. There are many such cases outside of Korea, but in Korea, there is this climate that makes [speaking up] particularly difficult.
LJG	I think it is a good thing for celebrities to participate actively in social movements or activities. Because celebs receive love from the public and can use their positions to have a far-reaching, positive impact on the public. However, I think they have to be careful about what they say and how they act. They should not pick sides, and they have to be cautious and think long and hard about the words they are going to say many times if the words would likely cause a huge stir. I think speaking freely, and finding it somewhat difficult [to speak freely], are both good. Because considering the weight of words is important.
Q.	The Big Issue, founded in the UK, serves as a medium in exerting positive influence on the public through the involvement of stars and celebs. Such work done through talent contributions helps homeless sellers directly in their efforts to become self-sufficient. Why did you decide to get involved through The Big Issue?
LJG	I have known about The Big Issue for a long time. I definitely wanted to get involved if I was given the opportunity, but the timing was just not right. This is even more meaningful because I am not doing this alone, but together with the staff I work with.
Q.	‘Lee Joon Gi’ as a hallyu star has a strong influence over many people. Have you thought about the kind of influence that you have? When you do a good deed like this, the impact it has is particularly great. For a long time, your fans have been leading by example in doing good deeds in the name of ‘Lee Joon Gi.’
LJG	I think that every actor or celebrity has given a lot of thought to the influence they have. I also have often thought a lot about this. I think the best I can do is expressing my thoughts through my own life, through my acting. I am trying hard to make sure that [my thoughts are] strongly expressed. I am always grateful that I can return the love I have received as an actor to many people, and to the world, in the form of positive energy. Of course, it is my fans who help me realize this and put it into practice. I am very thankful. I always remind myself to pay more attention [to giving back] and put more effort into it, and that’s what I have been doing. (Laughs) I was really surprised by how much my fans have donated in various ways. I am always grateful to them and touched by them.
Q.	Do you think there are any misconceptions that the public has about Lee Joon-gi?
LJG	People mistake me for being a cold person. But I love hanging out and having fun with people no matter what we do, and I laugh a lot. I take great pleasure in achieving something by working with several other people and cheering one another up like eussha eussha* (*mimetic word that describes cheering up), rather than producing a result on my own. That’s why I love acting and I chose this life as an actor.
Q.	When you do make a rare appearance on a variety show, I find something totally unexpected about you.
LJG	I enjoy watching variety shows. That’s probably because I get to have fun and be touched by seeing all kinds of human beings in their natural, diverse shapes in the ‘real variety’ format—more so than when I am doing scripted projects.   I also feel comfortable showing people the real me, exactly the way I am. I am open to working on variety shows, as long as they allow me to present such content well and to contribute to the show. Maybe I wouldn’t be much fun because I’d be trying too hard.
Q.	There isn’t much time left until the end of the year.  Is there anything you wish to get done before the year ends?
LJG	Personally, it would be great if I could do one more project and show it before the public and my fans, but it is not easy. Living as an actor, I sometimes work so constantly without a break that I feel overwhelmed, but there comes a time when I should be more careful. Right now, I am being careful, but it is also true that I have difficulty creating opportunities. I want my next project to have more depth to it in terms of the message it wants to get across, so I am being extra careful in choosing the next project. At the beginning of the year, my goal was to do two projects this year, but ah, it is so hard to reach that goal. Of course, I will keep considering what to do next, and I hope to come back as soon as possible, even if that may not be this year, with a great project that will touch my fans and viewers.
Q.	I once read that you were thinking a lot about “bad acting habits (*mannerisms = bad habits)” and “what part of me can I make appeal to viewers?”  Are you still thinking a lot about it?
LJG	The characters I have portrayed so far have had so many stories to tell. What I have done has been a mix of everything—action, melodrama, epic, action drama, and thriller. When you juggle all of them, your acting sometimes comes off as some kind of talent show-off. I do not want to do that kind of work either, so I think I have to expand my imagination so that I can feel acting with my heart and create a performance using my own head. I should push myself further and try not to idle but stay alert. I think hard about this all the time; I don’t set aside certain hours of the day and go, “Ah, it’s time to study acting,” but [acting] is a natural part of my daily life. I often think about how I balance the emotions I have actually experienced with my imagination in order to create my own strengths.
Q.	Your fans are curious what your next project will be. Can you give us some hints about it?
LJG	I am considering several projects. At the same time, I am giving serious thought to what part of me I have to show you and what kind of story should be told to the world. Right now, it’s still too early to talk about anything at all, so it’s hard for me to give you any hints (laughs). Most important is that I want to see you again soon with a great project. I haven’t got much time.
Q.	We haven’t got much time here either (laughs). Last question. Forget you are some character or celebrity ‘Lee Joon Gi’, and what set of values or wishes do you pursue as ‘human Lee Joon Gi’?
LJG	As ‘Lee Joon-gi the human,’ there still are a lot of things about me that fall short, so I always think a lot about what I could do if there was no ‘Lee Joon-gi the actor.’ I am still searching [for the answer] and still learning. But at the end of the day, I want ‘Lee Joon-gi the human’ to be happy. I really do hope I can find that happiness. I still have not found the answer. Only when that [finding such happiness] happens can I truly become a person who can send out positive energy to my family on a small level, and to many people around the world on a bigger level, and who will remain that person until the end. I most certainly hope that will happen. I want to grow old and spend the rest of my life with my fans and the public as a good actor, and cherish and live with many such precious memories. Even today, I think a lot about how I can make that happen. I wish only good things come our way, to all of us! May everyone who supports me and looks out for me walk the ‘flower road’!
Q – Question LJG – Lee Joon Gi SOURCE Translated by: @jg_k_drama https://allaboutjoongi.tumblr.com/