Actor Lee Jung-jae candidly shared his thoughts on the attention he receives from the public.
On the 16th, The New York Times published an interview article with Lee Jung-jae, introducing him as "a star who transformed into a global icon through the popular Netflix series 'Squid Game,' already a solid star in Korea."
It also mentioned his hit drama 'Sandglass' (1995), noting that the way stars and fans interact has changed significantly from then to now.
Furthermore, The New York Times observed, "Becoming a superstar in Korea means being under intense scrutiny from fans. In this process, fans can quickly turn into critics and even harassers."
Lee Jung-jae resonated with this perspective, stating, "I have been contemplating whether to refute the rumors about me," but added, "I have decided to think of it as part of my job now."
He mentioned that Korean fans support celebrities with a familial mindset, expressing, "I want to maintain a good reputation socially while working on multiple projects." He also noted that there are times when their support and expectations can feel burdensome.
He emphasized that the way to communicate with fans should change in the age of social media. Lee Jung-jae explained, "I meet fans through movie premiere events. However, there aren't many such events for other platforms (like TV dramas), so I need to be prepared to meet them through various means like social media."
Lee Jung-jae will meet the public again through the tvN drama 'Annoying Love,' scheduled to air in the second half of this year.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
