LEE JOON GI
TURNS
THE FASHION WORLD
UPSIDE DOWN
IN
HARPER’S BAZAAR CHINA
Brown and blue eyes: different sides
THE EMERGENCE
OF
THE MODERN FASHION REBEL
The high octane actor, Lee Joon Gi, cuts quite a figure,
portraying an androgynous fashion rebel who dresses to push the boundaries
and blur the gender divide. Lee
showcases a powerful shift in fashion that may startle some conservative
folks.
Lee wears a gasp-inducing and head-turning zippered black
bomber jacket embellished with a whole lot of expensive shimmering embroidery
and applique. Bold, chestnut brown floral appliques are interspersed among the
similarly-coloured embroidered abstract shapes with complex criss-crossed
lines. The unique jacket is worn over a black turtleneck woollen jumper.
It seems that Lee sports a black, pleated kilt
which has a front opening that has been created for the fashion spread. The
black hue of the kilt matches the black colour of the jumper.
The kilt has a shimmering silver waistband. Hanging on both sides of the kilt are two
decorative rounded flaps with satin piping. One cannot but notice the stark
imbalance of the flaps as the one on his right is clearly very much bigger
than the one on his left. Does the flap on Lee’s right symbolise the
masculine self and the one on his left symbolise the feminine self?
For a fleeting hypnotic spell, one is shocked. Imagine the very
masculine Lee Joon Gi dressed as an androgyne in a kilt! Fashion keeps
evolving and needs reinventing. If it is Harper’s Bazaar China’s mission
to challenge gender stereotypes, then, to Lee Joon Gi’s credit, he has worn
the ensemble with the flair of a consummate supermodel and has carried off
that look effectively for them.
Lee Joon Gi has enthusiastically embraced the look and certainly
turned the fashion world up-side down!
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LEE JOON GI
IN
HIS NEW GENDER-BENDER IMAGE
HARPER’S
BAZAAR CHINA
In this shot, Lee Joon Gi takes fashion to greater
heights with a striking ensemble. Lee has ensconced himself in what looks
like an elegant dark brown or burgundy leather Chesterfield winged armchair.
He has sunk into the comfortable, grand and elegant chair, looking relaxed. Why
does one feel that Lee Joon Gi has that classy, elegant, confident and regal
aura of a prince?
What is startling to the eye is the unusual design of his white
shirt with bold black stripes.
A long band is tied at his neck and flows down like a necktie. It
is a good thing that the editorial staff at Harper’s Bazaar China did not see fit to tie it into a pussy bow or else Lee would have looked like a goddess
rather than a god. What if he had worn it undone? He would definitely look
rakish.
What is even more spellbinding about the white shirt is that
instead of the usual cuffs, the sleeves are attached with wrist bands that are tied
in the same fashion.
The shirt is teamed with a black velvet coat, a pair of black velvet
pants and black shoes. The coat
sleeves feature thick cuffs with a stylish grey design.
Although the fashion pays homage to the girls and is borrowed
from them, it is crafted to ensure Lee remains masculine.
Brimming with confidence, Lee Joon Gi
crosses one leg over the other, looking dominant, yet relaxed. His figure
four leg clamp shows his competitiveness and tough-minded attitude which are
predominantly male characteristics. Lee stares questioningly at his viewers
with his signature sexy stare.
In another equally stunning shot, Lee Joon Gi is seen lounging in a different brown classic armchair that seems
to have been deliberately pushed backwards onto the floor.
With one of his legs lazily draped over the arm of the chair, Lee
lounges back on the toppled armchair to highlight the necktie and wristtie
of the enigmatic and hypnotising
ensemble.
Lee Joon Gi never ceases to surprise with his non-conventional
looks. This look offers a fresh take on male style.
His two poses are those of nonchalance, style and class. It would not be surprising if his viewers
are transfixed and hypnotised by his powerful gaze. The fashion world is indeed
turned topsy-turvy by Lee Joon Gi, and he does not seem, in the least, apologetic.
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ONE MAGICAL MOMENT IN TIME
ON
AN OLD-FASHIONED DRESSER
 
In these two shots, Lee Joon Gi’s ensemble is
low-key. His loose black shirt has several folds in front. It is teamed with
a pair of black fitting trousers. The look matches the lifestyle of the new
generation man.
In the first shot, Lee reclines on his stomach
in an unconventional pose on top of a low wooden dresser with one palm placed
on his forehead.
In the next shot, he lolls on his back on the
same old-fashioned dresser, still with his palm on his forehead. This is a
really sexy and stunning shot.
Perched seductively on the dresser, Lee casts a spell on the viewer. The two poses serve as a
testimony to the imagination and creativity of the actor.
This is the South Korean supermodel who can
move merchandise as well as hearts. Lee’s sense of adventure in all his
magazine modelling assignments is amazing and as such, he has etched his name
in the Asian fashion magazine world. Everything that Lee Joon Gi does, he
does it better than anyone else. And it is nothing different in this fashion
shoot where he crosses the gender divide.
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HARPER’S BAZAAR CHINA
November 2016
LEE JOON GI
HIS HISTORY
Just in case the fashion knowledge of some people may be less
than stellar or some people may have a wrong perception of Lee Joon Gi – that
he has turned into an androgyne, they would be pleased to know that the editorial
staff of Harper’s Bazaar China have also taken photos showcasing the masculine
side of Lee Joon Gi to dispel that misleading view. Lee can be seen in
several shots looking handsome and masculine.
In this modern era, magazines are looking for actors or actresses who are
influencers – people who can inspire and have sheer impact on the young
people.
Harper’s Bazaar China has Lee Joon Gi in mind and therefore, there is a long
write-up of Lee Joon Gi’s history and his struggles to win and maintain his
fame. Lee’s history is not new to his fans.
The following is not a literal translation of the article. In fact, only part of the article is revealed on Lee’s facebook and there is nothing new in it. One can read all about him on the Internet. Only a privileged few are privy to the contents of the actual interview and readers would only be able to read more about him when the magazine rolls out in November.
Lee Joon Gi had small roles before his fame and it was his
portrayal of the effeminate clown that had thrust him into the spotlight. In
2005, though he failed many auditions, he managed to be chosen for the movie,
The King And The Clown because of
his handstands and also because the director thought that he could best
portray Gong-gil as the androgynous clown. It was a fortuitous event for Lee.
Never in his wildest dreams did he think that the movie would
become a blockbuster. Was it an accidental success? It was reported that one
in every four people in South Korea saw the movie.
Subsequently, he garnered a huge
following of Asian fans and his new look spawned a new breed of ‘flower
boys’. His cultural dominance was so great that boys and young men in Korea and even in China and Japan wanted to imitate his look. It launched a slew of variations in the flower boy looks.The South Korean sensation became Asia’s leading influencer and a
formidable force in the industry.
The silver screen and the small screen raised his profile considerably and elevated him to a great star. It must have been Lee
Joon Gi power.
Lee Joon Gi is forever grateful to his parents. Lee’s family is a tight-knit family. It seemed that Lee’s
parents had objected to his acting ambitions, but if he had not insisted on
following his dreams, he would not have reached the heights that he has
attained today.
It is his parents, particularly his father, who had played a
pivotal role in shaping him into the man that he has become. His father, it
seems, had caned him for his waywardness but he had also invested time to be
with him and they bonded when they enrolled for martial arts classes together,
an investment that has totally paid off. It has helped Lee Joon Gi to produce
such stunning modern action and saguek dramas that viewers have been
impressed with.
Although his father objected to his acting ambitions, the older
Lee did provide hard-earned money for him to fulfil his ambitions but Lee Joon
Gi sheepishly admitted that he wasted the money due to negative peer
influence.
Due to unconditional parental love, his father did help him out
again and to Lee Joon Gi’s credit, the realization of his father’s unerring
love finally dawned on him.
However, before Lee enlisted for military service, a friend and
manager cheated him out of his hard earned money. He reached rock bottom and went
crazy, and his father was the one who brought him to his senses.
It has been more than a decade of growth. He did have a
rollercoaster ride in the industry but Lee has since shown that his overnight
success in 2005 is no fluke. Things have not always been smooth sailing for
the actor but he persevered. He has been honing his skills and the years have
unearthed his talents.
Fortunately, the stars have been shining brightly and his dramas have become
hits. His strong portfolio of successful dramas and movies have solidified
his position as South Korea’s number one actor and most bankable star.
Success may have its perks but to Lee Joon Gi, there is no free lunch. Fame brings with it pressures and challenges. He has to pay the price
for fame. He has a strong will and has worked tirelessly so that he is always
ahead of the competition.
In the Korean entertainment industry, the code of conduct is
stringent. Attitude is important and Lee has carved out an unparalleled
reputation for being responsible, diligent, passionate and having unbridled
enthusiasm for his work. He has shown responsibility and accountability to
himself, the industry and his fans and he has also earned the respect of
fans, viewers, co-stars, his production staff and the industry people. His life
reminds us about the importance of passion and persistence in one’s
endeavours.
Lee's co-stars in Moon Lovers - Scarlet Heart: Ryeo
Lee's co-stars in Moon Lovers - Scarlet Heart: Ryeo
Lee's co-stars in Moon Lovers - Scarlet Heart: Ryeo
Lee keeps in touch with his inner child and his sense of humour
is kept intact. This is what makes him young.
Lee Joon Gi: His inner child
What worried Lee Joon Gi at first was that he would be typecast
after the success of The King and The Clown and would not be able to throw
off the androgynous image that he was shackled with. Thankfully, he was
offered the role of Time Between Dog And Wolf and
people realised that he was masculine after all. He continued to take on
masculine roles in dramas like Iljimae and The Joseon Shooter
in which he was perceived as athletic and masculine as he showed off his
martial arts prowess, gun skills and athleticism.
Lee prides himself in being
able to perform his own stunts. He is a staple and a mainstay of sagueks,
being the epitome of the saguek hero.
(Wang) So sexy and masculine
The article also touches on his recent work, Never Said Goodbye (Sicily Lies), Moon
Lovers-Scarlet Heart: Ryeo and others. For Moon Lovers-Scarlet Heart: Ryeo, he lost so much weight that
he ended up with a V-shaped face which is considered to be an ideal face shape
by some Asian people, particularly China.
In the drama, he has taken on the character of the magnificent
Goryeo emperor, Gwangjong, who is famous in Korea’s history. His life has certainly changed because of it as he would always be in awe of having played such a
complex character who inhabits him during the shooting stint.
(Wang) So sexy and masculine
A BRIGHT NEW FUTURE HAS DAWNED
2016 has been epic year for Lee Joon Gi. A new era is dawning
and he is riding the crest of it. He has an extremely popular Chinese movie (Never Said Goodbye), a globally successful
Korean drama (Moon Lovers – Scarlet Heart: Ryeo) and a western movie
(Resident Evil: The Final Installment) that would soon be launched at the end
of the year.
These are accompanied by a multitude of lucrative fashion shoots
and advertisements / endorsements. His popularity is sweeping across the globe
and has put him squarely in the spotlight.
It is difficult to put it eloquently but some say it is his second prime. He has rekindled his fans and admirers’ love for him. It is Lee
Joon Gi star power all over again. His portfolio is injected with his own
personal magic and charm quite unlike other stars. He is an original and
there is one and only Lee Joon Gi.
That is one of the reasons for his staying power.
The breadth of his success
is extraordinary. Lee Joon Gi has amassed millions of new international fans including
those from China, America, Japan, Saudi Arabia and South-east Asia whom he
bonds with through his website, Instagram and other forms of social media.
His unique brand of humour never fails to bring a smile to his
smitten admirers’ faces, fill their hearts with glee or make the ladies
swoon. He has earned the respect of all his fans, old and new and it is no
ordinary feat. Not many people speak ill of his acting skills anymore.
Lee Joon Gi has reached for the stars, but instead he has
become the Moon and the Sun. He has come a long way and he has proven that although
he has ascended to great heights, he is still going strong and still has what
it takes to fly higher. He has carved out a place for himself in this world. And
he would continue to make dramas and movies that draw the crowds and enthrall his viewers.
Although the information on his history can be read elsewhere on
the Internet, an interesting tidbit that is gleaned from the Harper’s Bazaar China’s
magazine dummy is ‘What is on Lee Joon Gi’s bucket list?’ Everyone knows that
the superstar is a workhorse and he knows it too. Lee feels that perhaps the
time is ripe for him to embark on a more balanced way of life – to reduce his
punishing schedule and relax a little by making forays into outdoor adventures
which could include playing golf, surfing or travelling, probably to immerse
himself in the fascinating cultures straddling other countries.
Golfing (Advertisement / Endorsement)
Travelling (?)
Yes, that’s right. He has to invest in himself. What’s life
anyway if one cannot savour the fruits of one’s labour and live a more
fulfilled and richer life? Life has to be lived and experienced.
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MORE OF
LEE JOON GI'S GORGEOUS AND INTERESTING SHOTS
(Edited Post)
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