LEE JOON GI
IN
THE STAR
MAGAZINE
AGELESS
IN
OKINAWA
LEE JOON GI AGELESS
IN
OKINAWA
The Star Magazine March Issue
Lee Joon Gi
The Cover Look. Lee Joon Gi - Ageless in Okinawa. Lee undoubtedly
lives up to his reputation of being an ageless star as seen in the March 2018
issue of The Star magazine, the photos of which were shot in Okinawa. Lee had
a photo shoot on the Japanese island for his photobook 'Lee Joon Gi In Okinawa' which was on sale at the end of February.
A
WALKING ADVERTISEMENT
FOR
RED
GINSENG
 
Then Now
  
The trend today for many stars is to look younger and give a
buzz but, megastar Lee Joon Gi is forever young. Many say Lee ages backwards.
The 36-year old Lee’s Okinawa photo shoot is ample proof that he is
unquestionably a walking advertisement for Korean Red Ginseng, something that
he is known to partake regularly. Red Ginseng, helpful in ensuring glowing, smooth and
firm skin, is also Lee’s nickname.
No one would rail against his young looks. In an industry
where youth and young idols are worshipped, Lee seems to have put a brake on
aging and has managed to look young, healthy, sexy and gorgeous. Which star
can do that? But, superstar Lee Joon Gi is South Korean showbusiness royalty;
he is a tough act to follow. Lee is in a league of his own.
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THE LONELY SUPERSTAR   
For The Star magazine, the galactic South Korean personality
wore many trendy outfits that catch the eye; he’s a natural at modelling. No
list of South Korean male supermodels would be complete without Lee Joon Gi’s
name.
In spite of being South Korea’s most recognizable and loved
actor, model and pop star, Lee faces many challenges in life. One striking thing that Lee Joon Gi has highlighted
in The Star interview is his loneliness, particularly in the winter. ‘Lonely’ means ‘without a life partner’. Lee Joon Gi is 36 this year. For the Koreans, he will be 37. Lee should be allowed to dispel his ‘loneliness’ and live a normal life.
Perhaps, it is Lee Joon Gi’s plea to his fans to give him the green light to
go to the next stage of his life: A girlfriend. Wedding bells. Producing
clones of himself. Wow! Well, his real fans - his ‘family’ would certainly be
unstinting in their generosity and support; they would encourage him and cheer
him on. As long as the lucky lady truly loves him and gives him happiness,
and vice-versa.
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COVER
SUPERSTAR
THE STAR
MAGAZINE
INTERVIEW
PART 1
TRANSLATION
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Q
|
So, your new photobook ‘Lee
Joon-Gi in Okinawa’ is coming out in late February.
What have you been doing since
your trips to Okinawa last autumn and winter?
|
JG |
As soon as I came back I thought I
should do something to recharge my energy. I’ve wanted to come back to my
fans and to the public eye with a new project as soon as possible, and I hope
to bring positive energy to the set when I’m given the opportunity.
In choosing my next project I’ve
been constantly reading myriads of scripts.
I also started working out; I
tried different kinds of physical activities but I soon lost interest.
Then, recently, I quickly fell in
love with a martial art - as my fans already know - called Jiu Jitsu.
Following my photoshoot in
Okinawa, I thought of just enjoying scuba diving or other leisure activities,
but I decided to improve my physical fitness. As I get older, I become more
anxious about not being able to stay as fit as I was before.
Doing mental training through golf
or bowling to focus on myself would have been a good idea, too.
However, through Jiu Jitsu, I get
to concentrate on every single movement that my opponent and I make and learn
some lessons while making body contact with different people. And by showing
courtesy, the most essential tenet of any martial art, and doing sparring, I
also get to reflect on the basic things about who I am and learn humility.
Then I feel like I am achieving some sort of inner growth.
I tend to get lonely easily, worry
about little things and feel depressed, but Jiu Jitsu really helps me
overcome these tendencies. It’s like I just stepped into a whole new world.
So, I practice Jiu Jitsu every single day.
|
Q
|
Was there any particularly
unforgettable moment during your photoshoot in Okinawa, which you worked on
with ‘The Star’ and a Japanese TV channel?
|
JG
|
Every moment of it was
unforgettable. I’m thankful to all the producers, crew members, and reporters
for having a wonderful time with me.
I am not the kind of person who
deliberately takes time off for leisure activities; not for trips, either.
That’s why, even though this trip might be nothing out of the ordinary for
some people, for me, it was full of things to see and feelings that I would
never forget.
The most unforgettable part of the
trip was, I’d say, scuba diving. I’m a good swimmer, but, diving deep into
the ocean is like entering an unknown world. I experienced a vague sense of
fear; since it was my first time doing it, I was nervous and anxious. But
also, I was greatly excited to get a glimpse of this new world.
After some training, the moment I
jumped into the ocean, I found myself heading towards the new world.
As my diving instructor had said,
I thought ‘This is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the
wonders of the universe on earth.’ You have this feeling that everything is
so free and happy… I still can’t forget the excitement I felt when I
encountered the new world. It turned out, I dove to almost 10 meters.
I was later told that only few
beginners could adapt so quickly to diving. Perhaps I had long had thirst for
such freedom. It was truly a mysterious yet happy experience.
|
Q
|
By the way, how did you spend
your year-end holidays?
|
JG
|
Actually, I took a secret year-end
trip to Tokyo, Japan, with my little sister and my manager.
After I got back from my
photoshoot trip to Okinawa, I decided to travel more (laughs). I didn’t
travel alone, though. The three of us spent the entire trip walking around
like normal people.
We went to Disneyland and walked
around downtown Tokyo all day.
One of the unforgettable moments
was when we did Real-Life Mario Go-karting, a sort of tourist attraction
there. We raced through the heart of the city, exchanged greetings with the
locals, and kept on racing – it was really super fun. Of course, I
disguised myself perfectly in Mario costume and made people laugh by showing
various reactions. Even some of those who knew me couldn’t recognize me at
all.
During the trip, I walked about
20,000 steps each day, so you can guess how hectic it was, can’t you
(laughs)? Well, it was certainly exhausting, but I had such a wonderful time.
From now on, I won’t worry so much
as I did before, but I will enjoy my ordinary days, make some plans, etc. As
my fans know well, I have put a lot of self-imposed restrictions on myself,
but I am gradually freeing myself from them. At least I am working on it.
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COVER
SUPERSTAR
THE STAR
MAGAZINE
INTERVIEW
PART 2
TRANSLATION
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|
Q
|
This winter, it’s been
extremely cold. How did you cope with it?
|
JG
|
Is there such a thing as coping
with the cold at all? (Laughs).
The best way to do is, I guess,
bundle up and stay as warm as possible. If it’s really too cold, it’s just
best to stay home. When you’re outside, then you should find the most
efficient way to get around so you can move quickly from place to place
indoors.
I love samgyetang as a nourishing food; during cold snaps I’d keep
myself warm by eating samgyetang, yukgaejang, and kimchijjigae. (Laughs)
But above all, since I started
working out last winter, I sweated buckets when it was coldest.
|
Q
|
It’s a bit late to ask now, but
what are your plans for 2018?
|
JG
|
First of all, I just constantly
read tons of scripts that came my way right after I’d finished the drama (Criminal
Minds) because I didn’t think my work lived up to viewers’ expectations last
year. I really looked through a lot of scripts and considered many offers and
eventually chose the project that I found to be most interesting.
I received a lot of love for my
work on ‘Time Between Dog and Wolf’ and I am going to work once again with
director Kim Jin-min. We are both feeling so much pressure now because, what
if we don’t follow up our previous success with better work? (Laughs).
The writer I’m going to work
with has received recognition for his great writing in both movies and
dramas, so I am confident it’s going to turn out well.
Only God knows whether a drama
will be a success or not, but as the leading actor of the project I’ve
chosen, I should do everything in my power to utilize my abilities in the
best possible way.
I’m happy to work with all kinds
of people on a new drama set.
I am also looking for
opportunities to start anew in the film business, from which I’ve been away
for a long time. But because I’ve been away from the movie business for a
long time, it’s not been easy for me to find the right opportunity.
Also, this year, while
continually working on my new projects, I am going to plan a fan meeting tour
as well.
Last year, I took a break from
touring because I thought I failed to satisfy fans with my work. I wanted to
do (fan meeting tour) when we could all have fun and be happy.
For me, hanging out with my fans
is the time when I recharge myself and get a lot of energy from them. It’s
the time when I can come up with numerous ideas and tap into my own
creativity. A lot of fans were disappointed (that the fan meeting did not
happen) but this year, I will do my best to get ready to meet my family both
at home and abroad.
|
Q
|
So, you’ve finally chosen your
new project!
What are the criteria Lee
Joon-gi considers most important when choosing a new project?
|
JG
|
It’s always a dilemma because
many fans want Lee Joon-gi to star in a romantic comedy or romantic drama.
(Laughs)
That’s why working in that genre
has been high on my priority list, but I haven’t been offered that many
opportunities in the romantic comedy or romantic drama genre. But when the
right project comes along, I am very eager to show that I can pull off (romantic
comedy / romance).
For me, the top criteria for
choosing a project:
First, it should be interesting
and fun.
Second, how much it’ll resonate
with viewers and whether or not it’ll make them happy.
But when you look at things only
from that big-picture perspective, you end up missing small details and
making a lot of mistakes. It does not concern just me, but it also concerns
many other actors and crew members. So instead of holding someone
responsible, I think I should step up myself and take some more initiative.
To be honest, last year, I was
under such huge pressure and stressed out that I asked myself, ‘Am I living
my life, right?’ ‘Am I a good actor?’
But as the old saying goes,
after the storm comes the sunshine. So, I’ve decided to live my life as an
actor with more determination and more flexibility. It won’t be easy, of
course.
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COVER
SUPERSTAR
THE STAR
MAGAZINE
INTERVIEW
PART 3
TRANSLATION
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Q
|
You’re widely regarded as a
person of exemplary character (*the Korean word ‘inseong’ means character or personality) within the
entertainment industry.
You have received high praise
from fellow actors and crew members who have worked with you on dramas.
|
JG
|
As the leading actor in the
dramas I chose to do, I am only grateful to all those who have given me such
opportunities (to work with them). All I did was just express my gratitude,
try to be more thoughtful, and put it into action, so I feel embarrassed when
they give more praise than I deserve.
Sometimes I feel like maybe I am
not so good at staying focused at work as an actor (laughs).
The drama sets have always been
places where so many people bring their passion and commitment to produce a
great outpouring of energy, and they are like a playground to me as actor Lee
Joon-gi. I just want to create valuable memories with friends I work, and
will work, with.
In fact, we still have a lot to
deal with as well as hectic schedules on drama sets.
But as long as I, as an actor,
can help others feel less stressed out and have more fun on set, then it’s me
who should be grateful.
|
Q
|
Spring’s already begun. How are
you feeling as we welcome spring?
|
JG
|
Just the thought of another warm
spring coming makes me feel like, wow time really flies (laughs).
When spring comes with blooming
flowers, I get a sense of anticipation that I will evolve into a better
version of myself.
I’ve had a great rest during the
winter. I think I want to bring warmth and bright, shining energy to
the world.
|
Q
|
They say that women usually
experience mood shifts in spring and men in autumn; in what season do you
experience mood changes?
|
JG
|
I don’t think spring affects my
mood.
On the other hand, I feel a bit
lonely when winter comes.
In the spring I get excited.
Like many others, I prefer spring and autumn (laughs).
|
Q
|
How would you rate your
happiness nowadays?
|
JG
|
I am trying to increase my
happiness score.
Until recently, it wasn’t so
high. Well, if I go into detail, I’d worry my family (*I think by ‘family’ he
means fans).
But I can definitely say ‘I am
trying to be happy.’ This year I am determined to increase my happiness
score. That way, I think I can fill other people with happiness as actor Lee
Joon-gi because actors are supposed to deliver happiness to others.
|
Q
|
What is your typical day like?
|
JG
|
As I said, I am into Jiu Jitsu
nowadays.
Other than that, I read scripts
or watch a lot of movies.
Also, I’ve been spending more
time hanging out and having drinks with people I know.
But I started to wonder if I
surrounded myself with invisible walls while having conversations with
others. So, I decided to open up and listen more. I want to broaden my
horizons.
|
Q
|
So, your latest obsession is,
of course, Jiu Jitsu? (laughs)
|
JG
|
Yes! Of course, Jiu Jitsu
(laughs).
And I’m also preparing for my
next project.
I am thinking of doing several
other things. What should I do next (laughs)?
|
Q
|
Can you tell us the things you
love most?
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JG
|
People who are with me now.
People who keep their eyes on me. I love everything that I have. I should,
and I am trying hard to love them more.
I’ve been looking back at the
many things that have been in my life, wondering whether I only thought about
myself. I guess this is what getting older is like.
|
Q
|
Lastly, is there anything you
want to tell your fans?
|
JG
|
Thank you for always staying by my side
through the good and bad, happy and sad.
As I have always promised, I will do
everything in my power to work hard and live diligently.
I definitely want to return the favor and
show my gratitude.
Even when the day comes, when we all become
happier, I will look ahead and get prepared for our next step forward.
So, I would like you to have a little more
faith in me and always stay with me. I am always thankful and want all of us
to be happy so that we can be together for a long, long time.
I will always wish you happiness.
Hopefully, ‘I’ can be the person
who gives you that happiness.
Please look forward to my new
project and more projects to come. Thank you always!
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SUPERSTAR
POWER
 
The results of his photoshoot, as
usual, are intoxicating. Every detail about Lee Joon Gi is gorgeous. Powerful.
As can be seen, there are many memorable moments.
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