WHAT IF
LEE
JOON GI
BECOMES
A
DIRECTOR?
WAVES CHINA
PONDERS
THE POSSIBILITY
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Lee Joon Gi, the cover star of Waves China’s January 2021 issue, has a good start in the new Gregorian year. Like the rest of the Koreans who have become a year older, the gorgeous and young-looking Lee turned 40 on 1 January 2021, an important milestone in life. Yet another major milestone is that his face was emblazoned on Waves China’s billboard advertisement at the prestigious Nasdaq Marketsite at Times Square New York on 28 January this year.
In their interview with Lee, the leading actor of Flower of Evil, Waves China did not hesitate to make their views explicit. For a drama to be given 5 stars is an honour but Waves China has awarded Flower of Evil another star because of the visual appeal of Lee Joon Gi and Moon Chae Won. Weibo, one of China's biggest social media platforms, has ranked Flower of Evil as the top South Korean drama of 2020. Cultura, the South Korean magazine for the arts and culture, has named Lee as the 2020 ICON (Drama). The Chinese magazine did not hesitate to ask the scrumptiously exciting superstar probing and thought-provoking questions but in just one broad sweep, went straight ahead to tap a rich vein of information about him in their magazine interview.
 One startling question is about whether Lee Joon Gi dreams of having a directional career. Waves China was curious about the ambitions of the superstar whom they consider to be ‘More Than Outstanding’. It has been seared into our collective consciousness that Lee Joon Gi is one of Asia’s biggest and most fascinating superstars. Knowing that Lee has a repertoire of interests, Waves China wonders if ‘Directing’ would be one of his future pursuits. There is a widely-held opinion that those with acting chops should direct.
That idea of stepping behind the camera must have danced on Lee’s mind at some point in his career. Though he is convinced that directing is quite a difficult profession, he is game.
‘If given the chance, I'd love to learn more. Even if it’s a small project, I'd like to take on that challenge’.
Lee Joon Gi has long admired Clint Eastwood, an amazing movie icon. One cannot think of many actors / directors with more extraordinary lives and careers than Clint Eastwood. The American actor debuted as a producer with two movies, Firefox and Honkytonk Man in 1982. Clint Eastwood directed Pale Rider, the highest-grossing western of the 1980s. Interestingly, he contributed music to his movies, either through composing or performing, including singing a song in Paint Your Wagon. Among his many awards, Eastwood received the Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture for Unforgiven in 1993. Clint Eastwood remains active in his ninth decade.
Should Lee follow his bliss or like Eastwood, find new fields to conquer? Should Lee decide to follow Eastwood’s footsteps, he could simultaneously direct, act and sing his own songs in his movies. That would be a defining point in his career. It would also be really refreshing and fun especially if he travels to other countries to film his projects. Or, perhaps he could direct short soul-stirring movies, romantic-comedy reality-dramas like ‘Candy in My Ear’ or romance-cum-travelogues?
Or, Lee could direct his own cooking-cum-travel show, ‘Cooking Adventures with Lee Joon Gi’ where he showcases the food, recipes or countries of his global fans. He could even film a collection of illuminating 'wisdom of a lifetime' tales or moral tales of real people.
What is Lee’s next project? After his amazing drama, Flower of Evil, which had taken 7 months to shoot, excited global fans want to know what’s next on his agenda. They can’t wait to watch another of his dramas. One also wonders, ‘What about movies?’ Lee hasn't done any movies in years. A dynamo like him should be able to break free of some of the barriers that have held him back; he is the creator of his own universe.
 Lee believes that he should be cautious and tread slowly. He is mindful of what his fans want. Perhaps, a piece about love and healing with a bit of melodrama. He thinks helping people heal is ‘the most awesome part of being a professional actor’.
 It is well-known in the industry that Lee Joon Gi is equal to any task; he was certainly equal to the challenge of delving deeply into the
psyche and emotions of Do Hyun Soo in Flower of Evil. Understanding
the meaning of the drama and the character he was portraying is crucial and he
zeroed in on them in his preparations. He did plenty of homework; he spent a
considerable amount of time searching for relevant books and devoted more of
the same for reading up on mental health issues and analysing the differences
between patients who have anti-social personality disorders and ordinary mental
patients. In previous interviews, he had revealed that he had conducted lengthy
discussions with the director, the scriptwriter, production staff and even his
co-stars. Do Hyun Soo’s life is full of strange twists. The exposure of his
father’s serial killer identity causes mayhem in his life and that of his
sister’s. A change in identity and marriage with Cha Ji Won lift him out of his
abyss of despair and misery. Though hardwired to be unempathetic in his
personal relationships, Do is generally gentle and pleasant. Flower of Evil has shed crucial light on anti-social personality
disorders and Lee's poignant portrayal of the tormented Do Hyun Soo has
won him global admiration and accolades.  A startling secret that Lee revealed is that when filming his projects, he is often on-site even when there are no scenes for him. It may be taxing to some but he feels that his co-stars’ scenes also need his tight focus and attention as he does not want to miss out on anything important. One gets the impression that Lee genuinely believes his leading actor role is crucial to the success of the drama; he wants to understand and stay in rhythm with his co-stars and the whole production. Are there any more interesting trade secrets that he has yet to disclose? The superstar divulged that he intends to show ‘a new side of himself’ in his next project. One can imagine what he would do to prepare himself for his new role.
Lee Joon Gi, who embodies the best in Asia, shows passion and dedication to his craft that have enabled him to rake in innumerable enthusiastic reviews, accolades and awards.
Though Lee has been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for two and half years, he regrets that his training in the gym has been truncated in 2020. Speaking of which, he would, no doubt, be rushing there once the pandemic is over.
When asked if he could recommend some dramas or movies that he had watched, Lee confidently pointed out the merits of his own dramas. Possessing wit and a hilarious sense of humour, Lee joked that he even cries over his dramas.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
Flower of Evil (2020)
Lee did not suggest any movies including his 2005 blockbuster movie, ‘The King and The Clown’ which had got his career off the ground but he firmly recommended his most popular dramas: Flower of Evil (2020), Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016) and Time Between Dog and Wolf (2007). Time Between Dog and Wolf (2007)
Time Between Dog and Wolf was life-changing. The pretty boy acquired a masculine vibe as his pretty locks were shorn off and Lee magically transformed into a manly man. The exciting action drama showcases Lee Joon Gi’s exciting martial arts skills, splendid performance and his earth-shaking chemistry with Nam Sang Mi, his leading lady. As for the other two amazing dramas which are more recent, they need no introduction.
Lawless Lawyer (2018)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhHIDEdanqk
He should also mention his other amazing dramas like Lawless Lawyer, Criminal Minds, Two Weeks, Joseon Gunman, The Scholar Who Walks The Night, and Arang and The Magistrate.
It is exciting news for Lee’s Chinese fans as he hopes to meet them face-to-face either through fan concerts, meetings, special occasions or visits to China.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExXrp9_TpZ0&feature=emb_title      
Waves China's Original Write-up and Interview https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/rreYqVaC-fjKvzJqvELZwA English Translation https://twitter.com/MegaMangoPamelo |
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