LEE JOON GI
THE WAY
of
THE GLOBAL DAESANG
THE ACID TEST
Of
THE GLOBAL DAESANG
LEE JOON GI
SHOWS YOU
THE WAY OF THE GLOBAL DAESANG
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LEE JOON GI
THE GLOBAL DAESANG
STYLE AND CLASS
Style, poise, confidence and class cannot be bought. Lee Joon Gi
has them all. The SBS Drama Awards Show 2016 on New Year’s Eve was where Lee
showcased style and class to perfection. And he looked flawlessly and
effortless handsome; regal, sophisticated and resplendent in his black tuxedo
and butterfly bow tie. He was a sumptuous visual feast!
Watching Lee Joon Gi impeccably decked out in
his finest tuxedo must have made all the ladies and some men swoon.
Although he must have been disappointed with the awards show, he
did not show it in the presence of the audience. He was a real class act. He
showed that he was delighted to be there with his co-stars and he was
courteous and respectful, and he even greeted his seniors.
Lee’s charismatic confidence and poise have been built on his
life-altering adversities in his early years, and varied international
experiences, which is what most other actors lack. And, the A-list star
rocks the red carpet with consummate skills.
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ROCKING THE RED CARPET
PART 1
PUNCTUALITY
Lee Joon Gi's elegant, classy and superb style and winsome personality embody
the spirit of the
Cartier brand.
When it comes to the red carpet, Lee Joon Gi can be depended on
to rock it. He does not disappoint.
Lee brought international glamour to the South Korean SBS Drama
Awards Show 2016.
Punctuality is one defining trait of a superstar. If you have
watched Robert Holley’s ‘People Are Good’ interview, you would have known
punctuality is Lee Joon Gi’s trait.
For drama awards shows, coordination and timing are important.
It seems that only the SBS nominees had been invited. Should there be any excuse for being tardy? Classy behaviour demands punctuality.
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ROCKING THE RED CARPET
PART 2
EXCELLENT FAN SERVICE
LEE JOON GI: A GENTLEMAN
The red carpet show was carefully scripted and the beloved Goryeo
lovebirds, Lee Joon Gi and Lee Ji Eun, appeared on schedule. They looked
superhot together.
The lights were blinding at strategic spots but some were twinkling like stars. Behind the very long line of barricaded fences was the public area which was jam-packed with hundreds of excited fans. Cameras, handphones and other electronic gadgets flashed continuously.
Stars who were first-timers to the red carpet were, more often
than not, nervous. Walking the red carpet is real work. Some just scrambled
off without waving to their star-struck fans. But Lee Joon Gi’s fans,
including armchair observers, love the way he walked the red carpet at the
event.
That cold winter night, things really got hot with the approach
of the REAL star of the show. One could sense the mounting excitement of the
fans as Lee Joon Gi’s courtesy car ground to a halt at the awards venue. Everyone
held their breath.
When Lee Joon Gi emerged from the shadows of the car, the
excitement in the air shot up like a thermometer. A thunderous applause
awaited him. The temperature was red hot. The actor graciously waved at them.
All his fans and admirers, who were stunned and bewitched by his gorgeous
looks, screamed until they were hoarse. It was not the first time that they
swooned at their celebrity crush.
Lee Joon Gi was perfection personified. He looked like South
Korea’s James Bond! He was the best dressed New Year’s Eve gift for his
fans and for the SBS audience. His hair was fabulous. His poise
and confidence, his sharp and debonair looks, his black tuxedo, waistcoat and
butterfly bow tie almost made his fans forget themselves. Their continual
screaming gained a somewhat insane momentum. It would not have been
surprising if some besotted fans, jammed uncomfortably together, were tempted
to discard propriety and jump the barricades.
Lee Joon Gi’s presence was electrifying. As he turned to cross
to the other side of the car, the ear-deafening din made by fans who were
screaming his name compelled him to turn back.
The superstar waved to them again with both hands. Emperor Gwangjong
acknowledged the sea of humanity, his people, who were behind the barricades.
Then, Lee went round to the back of the car to open the door
for IU (Lee Ji-Eun) but she had already exited the car. IU was beautifully
decked out in a matching black gown. Gallantly, he extended his hand to
prevent her from losing her balance.
 
She slipped her hand into his as she seemed to be tottering
on her vertiginous stilettos. The two South Korean celebrity royalty look
extremely romantic together.
The fans on their right who had been waiting to get a glimpse
of the superstar were clamouring for his attention, so Lee, with consummate
skill guided IU in their direction.
 
Lee was right on target in providing unbeatable fan service –
left, centre and right.
The fans were all revved up. Like an expert, the handsome hunk
turned and waved at the crowd behind the area that had been cordoned off.
Lee is fan-focussed. Knowing that all his fans wanted to be
acknowledged, the suave superstar then turned to his left to wave, while
IU clung shyly to him.
When he swivelled to his right with IU in tow, he waved, and IU
suddenly forgot her shyness and followed suit. The crowds were ecstatic and
roared their approval.
  
Judging by Lee and IU’s best red carpet poses, it was obvious
that the sight of the gorgeous pair must have adrenalized the fans as they kept
screaming at the top of their lungs.
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ROCKING THE RED CARPET
PART 3
WALKING THE RED CARPET
After appeasing his fans, Lee Joon Gi steered IU towards the
red carpet.
Lee Joon Gi is no stranger to such events. Having walked the
red carpet innumerable times and having been a professional catwalk model
before, the A-list actor has already mastered the finer points of walking or acing
the red carpet and giving it an injection of glamour.
Upon reaching the revolving door of the building, he turned
back, for one last wave. Lee deftly turned IU around to face the crowds
again. She waved. And he gestured meaningfully towards her to indicate to the
crowds to roar their approval for her.
   
Not one to hog the limelight to himself, Lee allowed his
younger co-star to feel the adulation of the crowd. His considerate and polished
manners have made him more adorable and winsome.
The viewers, especially new admirers, must have realised by
then what the superstar is made of. His dynamism deserves a ‘WOW’!
Then, they waved to their audience: Emperor Gwangjong and his
beloved Court Lady, Hae Soo. The confident, regal and poised Emperor
Gwangjong, an intimidating wolfdog who could impale his rival with his stare,
however, smiled charmingly and accepted the applause of ‘his people’.
 
Once they were done with their fan service, they glided through
the revolving doors arm-in-arm and waltzed up the red carpet to the temporary
stage set up for the pre-show interviews.
 
They synchronised their smiles, looking like a sweet, romantic
couple walking the red carpet. Lee Joon Gi could have just taken a few
strides to reach the stage but he slowed down his pace to keep time with
hers.
It is not surprising that viewers were not able to see the age
difference between them. He, with his flawless and smooth skin, is 34 years
old and she is 23.
On approaching the stage, Lee Joon Gi whispered
conspiratorially to IU, probably advising her not to be nervous, and promising to give her cues on how to answer the tricky questions.
Having the regal bearing of a Korean emperor, Lee walked
effortlessly in an upright manner, showing innate confidence. And mind you, he
also had the impressive cool style and graceful movements of a martial
artist.
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ROCKING THE RED CARPET
PART 4
THE RED CARPET INTERVIEW
THE INTERVIEW
Speaking of red carpet events, it would not be complete without
an interview with the real stars of the show.
Lee Joon Gi made sure their arms were properly linked to prevent IU from tripping
while mounting the steps.
Lee Joon Gi guided IU to the exact spot marked x, where she was
supposed to stand.
  
When the cameras panned in on him, the viewers would have noticed that his
great hairstyle and tuxedo truly flattered him. He looked suave, relaxed and
confident. Come to think of it, he had dressed to the nines - to perfection
and looked dapper like the South Korean James Bond. Repetition? As they say, constant repetition carries conviction.
 
Many other things also showed up in the interview. His warmth,
humanity and intelligence.
The pair were being scrutinized, probably by billions of people
around the globe but Lee was at ease in front of the cameras. He waved and
showed cute love gestures and IU was perfectly in sync with him.
 
Lee was well-prepared for the interviewer’s questions. He
answered their questions brilliantly, especially about wanting to get the
Best Couple Award and cued IU to agree with him.
After his response, Lee Joon Gi was considerate in handing the
microphone over to IU but the interviewer, perhaps being too eager to comment,
reached out to take the microphone from Lee, but it was already in IU’s
hands.
Boom, the interviewer was slightly embarrassed. A temporary
aberration, on his part. Lee Joon Gi, not missing a beat, patted the poor
fellow’s back to ease his discomfiture. It was the warm and friendly gesture that
makes the well-mannered and considerate Lee Joon Gi a lovable human being.
When Lee and IU were requested to pose for the cameras, he
posed like an a-lister and guided IU to do the same.
  
Other stars should take a few pages from Lee’s manual, The Art
of Being A Gentleman. Although he was under great pressure and scrutiny, he
was relaxed, and did not put on airs.
There were no hitches on the red carpet. The amazing way Lee
walked the red carpet defied imagination.
SBS had rolled out the red carpet for all their stars including their favourite son. But it was their prodigal son, Lee Joon Gi, who had returned
after a lapse of 8 years to dutifully fulfill the press and show
obligations for SBS.
Undeniably, Lee Joon Gi’s charming smiles and the superb way he
conducted himself had made SBS's red carpet event really glamorous.
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THE ACID TEST
OF THE GLOBAL DAESANG LEE JOON GI
THE WAY OF THE GENTLEMAN
The audience who watched the SBS show could sense the tenseness in
the air. Some celebrities looked grim or jumpy while others, with faces
plastered with perpetual smiles, reveal a great deal of tension. A few
displayed cold, dispassionate and congealed emotions.
But, it was delightful to observe the wonderful camaraderie among
the MLSHR cast. Lee Joon Gi’s co-stars IU, Kang Ha-neul, Hong Jong Hyun, Kang
Han-Na, Seohyun and Byun Baekhyun were relaxed, playful, joyful and they seemed
to have a lot of fun together. Byun Baekyun had to leave early for another
event.
(fr left) IU, Kang Han-Na, Seohyun, Kang Han-Neul, Hong Jong
Hyun and
Lee Joon Gi
The lively MLSHR cast were having the time of their lives,
smiling, clapping their hands in glee and generally being supportive of each
other. Their eyes shone as bright as vehicle headlights. They were in stark contrast with the sedate thespians in the other parts of the hall. On their table were plates of exquisite cakes for them to nibble while they joked the night
away.
THE BEST COUPLE AWARD
Lee Joon Gi treated IU like a lady on the red carpet and had also treated everyone else with similar graciousness and respect on the main
stage.
SBS gave out three Best Couple Awards. When Lee Joon Gi and IU’s
names were announced, one could sense Lee Joon Gi’s inordinate happiness when
he loosely hugged IU. And then, he graciously offered an arm to guide her up the stage.
THE BEST COUPLE AWARD
      
The interviewer Lee Hwi-Jae asked them about whether they knew
they were getting the award.
  
With the swift intelligence of a woldog’s, Lee Joon Gi responded that he and IU had really wanted
to win the Best Couple Award. Playing to the gallery, he joked that he had
come from Goryeo that morning as he wanted to meet Hae Soo. The tenth century
King Gwangjong calmly declared that his and Hae Soo’s love transcended time
and space.
     
The MLSHR audience had thought that ‘Never The Twain Shall Meet’
but they, Gwangjong and Hae Soo, came together in ‘Another Time, Another Place’, right
there and then, in the SBS awards show!
Then, the emcee, Lee Gwi-Jae, jokingly and gently admonished Gwangjong for being deluded, a remark which Lee Joon Gi smartly deflected by
expressing his happiness at winning the big award. The two, the intelligent superstar
and the experienced emcee, were masters at bringing down the house with their
humorous verbal sparring.
    
And, as if on cue, IU concurred with her oppa and backed up his
claim. ‘They had seriously talked about wanting to clinch the award.’ The
MLSHR couple were really supportive of each other. IU quickly took the
opportunity to thank Lee Joon Gi for helping to make her character a
beautiful one. It seemed that his six-month mentorship during their shooting
process was a success as she had morphed as an actress, from ‘a caterpillar
into a beautiful butterfly’. Unsurprisingly, their screen chemistry has been
absolutely magical. And the difference in audience perception of her before
and after the broadcast of MLSHR was, indeed, a revelation.
  
In her acceptance speech for the Best Couple Award in the SBS Drama Awards Show on New Year’s Eve 2016, IU thanked Lee Joon Gi for making her character stand out.
At least, IU gave credit when and where it was due. She is one
smart lady. The MLSHR audience knows that she was badly mauled by vicious and
frosty online commenters mostly for being more of a
popstar than an actress. She has proven to them that acting achievements are also
not beyond her.
  
It was said that there was a tip-off from one of their co-stars
that Lee Joon Gi had been drinking with IU whenever their co-stars had a
gathering.
 
When it was revealed that Hong Jong Hyun had betrayed him, Lee
pointed an accusatory finger in his direction.
Now, the interviewer with incisive questioning, naughtily insinuated
there was something suspicious about their close relationship. Perhaps their
‘best couple’ relationship had sparked romance rumours. He wanted to know
whether there was a modicum of truth to it.
 
Lee Joon Gi confidently and suavely circumvented the issue. He
was quick, witty and clever and turned the conversation to IU, saying the
reason was IU’s beauty. It was a clever move as they had just clinched the
Best Couple Award. It was soon revealed that IU, who has a boyfriend, was promoting a certain soju
brand. Should one have a sneaking suspicion that there was something fishy
going on between them, Lee’s convincing answer had deftly put paid to that
mistaken impression.
Being the consummate superstar, Lee Joon Gi could be counted on
to rise to the challenge of responding to tough questions. Even when he
was put on the spot, he was quick and witty with his replies.
Lee Hwi-Jae obviously knew that everyone, including Lee Joon
Gi’s fans, were curious about the status of their relationship since Cecelia
Liu married her Fourth Prince, Nicky Wu, after their historical fiction
drama, Bu Bu Jing Xin and its sequel had ended.
The emcee had been unfairly criticized for this and many fans
wanted to throttle him, but it was Lee Hwi-Jae’s job to heat things up for
the global audience so he should not have been made to apologize for it.
THE ACID TEST
OF THE GLOBAL DAESANG
LEE JOON GI: A REAL MAN
LEE JOON GI
AND
KIM SUNG-RUNG
TOP TEN STARS AWARD
Chivalry had been resurrected on SBS Drama Awards 2016 night.
TOP TEN STARS AWARD
    
Lee Joon Gi was probably the only star to turn back and wave at his fans when his name was announced for the Top Ten Stars Award. That is the mark of a Daesang. His ardent fans were screaming his name and clapping whole-heartedly for him. He is not only a charismatic star in his dramas and movies, but he is also a charismatic person in reality!
When he was onstage to receive his award, he was
courteous and respectful and bowed South Korean-style to Kim Sung-Ryung, who
played his adoptive mother in Iljimae 8 years ago.
RESPECT FOR HIS SCREEN MOTHER
      
The reverence he showed her made her feel honoured and
respected. And being alert to the situation that she had been placed to his
left, he switched places with her to allow her to stand in the centre and in
the limelight next to Lee Min Ho. The audience would have fleetingly noticed
the chivalrous gesture towards the older thespian. Being a gentleman is
second nature to him. No wonder his good manners set many hearts aflutter.
Lee Joon Gi is a Real Man as he has understood the meaning of humility – he
let someone else’s light shine!
     
Lee Hwi-Jae had tried to bring out the best in all awardees. In
Lee Joon Gi’s case, he requested the actor to say something to his family and
Lee Joon Gi was grateful to him for the reminder. Being straightforward, Lee
Joon Gi remarked that in the past, his family had been disappointed whenever
he forgot to thank them.
     
Then in an abrupt move, Lee Joon Gi turned to speak about Kim
Sung-Ryung, his screen mother, to the audience. As he spoke, his voice took
on tones of gratitude and reverence as he complimented and thanked her, saying
that because of her, all those who had played her sons in dramas (Lee Joon
Gi, Lee Min Ho, Jang Geun Suk) have become famous, implying that she had brought
them luck.
Obviously, Lee Joon Gi had the magical knack of directing the
limelight on others, and he had made her feel so honoured and proud to be there. His
manners were impeccable.
Lee Hwi-Jae, also gave him time to mention his fan club. The
actor stated that he did not have a fan club but there is a website called
Joon Gi’s World Under The Sky (Hanjunse).
He thanked all his fans from around the world, particularly his loyal fans
who have stood by him through thick and thin. And his passionate fans in the audience responded by
holding up banners with a shout-out, ‘A Master-Actor’.
      
Lee also bowed respectfully to the award presenter, a veteran
actress, when receiving his award.
It can be said that the bright and sparkly Lee Joon Gi, the REAL
star, raised the stakes and brought professionalism to the SBS Awards Show
2016.
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THE ACID TEST
OF THE GLOBAL DAESANG THE TEST
THE IMPROMPTU SPEECH
IN
ENGLISH
THE K-WAVE STAR AWARD
(THE HALLYU STAR)
THE K-WAVE STAR AWARD
          
What would the viewers remember if they talk about SBS's 'K-Wave
Star Award 2016’ in the years to come?
They would remember Lee Joon Gi’s impromptu speech in English!
Before he made his acceptance speech, Lee Joon Gi was asked the
tricky question of naming a particular foreign fan who had left a strong
impression on him. His intelligence and quick wit went to his rescue. He
smartly sidestepped the issue by commenting that it was difficult to mention
just one.
      
Observers are familiar with the fact that the A-list superstar
has legions of devoted and passionate foreign fans including those who:
continuously attend or help organise his fan meets, visit him at his filming
sites, stalk him, produce a neverending stream of creative art work / youtube
videos / video clips for him, constantly give him gifts, open and enthusiastically
maintain facebook accounts in his name, welcome him or send him off at airports.
One had even provided a luxurious vehicle for him to rest in when he was
filming ‘Never Said Goodbye’ in Shanghai! It is not a contest of ‘Who is his
most memorable fan?’ There is no question that all his fans are 'His People
- His favourite People!’
Then, Lee Hwi-Jae made the startling request that Lee Joon Gi
make his acceptance speech in a foreign language.
Some over-sensitive fans had taken exception to the request as they were mistaken that Lee Hwi-Jae had put Lee Joon Gi on the spot or had him cornered.
The truth was Lee Hwi-Jae had, in actual fact, put the superstar through an
acid test. That Lee Joon Gi was requested to make his acceptance speech for
The K-Wave Star Award in a language other than Korean only served to show
that if Lee Joon Gi passed the acid test, he is a real global superstar. As
it turned out, it was a challenge that Lee Joon Gi was more than willing to
meet.
Lee Joon Gi was intelligent and quick-witted enough to be able to
deliver his speech in fluent English, a feat for which he has gained
world-wide approval. And, he had emerged from the test unscathed.
The SBS Drama Awards Show 2016 climaxed with Lee Joon Gi’s speech
in English. He did not for one moment stumble in his speech. Emperor
Gwangjong trembled for no one. His fluent speech was his unexpected gift to
his international fans.
Lee Joon Gi had shone very brightly during the awards show and had
turned out to be the REAL WINNER. Celebrities, young or old, should take a
page from Lee Joon Gi who had been very professional in every way.
Lee Joon Gi has proven to everyone that he is the GLOBAL DAESANG!
LEE JOON GI
THE K-WAVE STAR AWARD
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
IN ENGLISH
          
That was a marvellous impromptu speech. Imagine, it was his first
speech in English! Don’t second guess what his fans thought or did. All of them must have swooned at their hero.
His speech in English makes a world of difference to the
impression that the global viewers have of him. With his list of
ever-expanding talents, he has been able to grow an outstanding viewership
and a gigantic fanbase. This speech has launched him into global showbusiness
stratosphere.
Being educated in Korean, it would have been difficult for him to
make a speech in English but he had shown the world that he was able to speak
fluent English.
Lee Joon Gi was not presented with an acting award by SBS although the world-wide viewers thought he was amazing in Moon Lovers - Scarlet Heart: Ryeo. The K-Wave Star Award which was presented to him just before the Daesang Award, the top award, is not an acting award but a world popularity award. But, there is a certain sense of satisfaction that he came out of his SBS 2016 experience the REAL WINNER and The REAL Daesang, in fact, THE GLOBAL DAESANG!        
Lee Joon Gi had a whale of a time in the show. Anyway, his
morning-after whale sweater says everything.
Lee had
‘a whale of a time’
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CONGRATULATIONS
TO
THE CAST
OF THE HISTORICAL FICTION DRAMA MOON LOVERS SCARLET HEART: RYEO
ON WINNING
THEIR AWARDS
THE NUMBER 1
SOUTH KOREAN ACTOR
LEE JOON GI
TOP 10 STARS AWARD
(Non-Acting Award)
BEST COUPLE AWARD
(with IU / Lee Ji Eun)
(Non-Acting Award)
THE K-WAVE STAR AWRD
(THE HALLYU STAR AWARD)
(Global Popularity Award / Non-Acting Award)
LEE JI EUN
BEST COUPLE AWARD
(with Lee Joon Gi)
IDOL ACADEMY AWARD
BEST DRUDGE Award
KANG HA NEUL
EXCELLENCE AWARD
SEOHYUN
SPECIAL ACTRESS
BYUN BAEKHYUN
THE NEW STAR AWARD
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