"I do have the desire to succeed more," actor Lee Won-jung shared with a smile. "My mother often jokes, 'Chaemin and Jaewon are appearing here and there, what are you doing?'"
On the 8th, I met actor Lee Won-jung at a café in Gangnam. Last year, he appeared in 'Hierarchy' alongside Lee Chaemin and Kim Jaewon. "I think all parents feel the same when they see their children on TV. Personally, I'm not envious at all. Seeing my colleagues work hard makes me proud as if it's my own achievement," he said with a smile.
Born in San Francisco, California, Lee Won-jung holds dual citizenship in Korea and the United States. After graduating from Anyang Arts High School, he pursued a degree in Theater and Film at Gachon University. He debuted in 2019 with 'Undercover Teacher' and has since built a diverse filmography, starring in 'Real:Time:Love', 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo', 'My Perfect Stranger', and 'Serendipity's Embrace'. Lee is recognized as a rising actor, and this year, he made a special appearance as a terminally ill youth in 'Mary Kills People' and is showcasing a new side in 'A Hundred Memories'.
Lee Won-jung, Lee Chaemin, and Kim Jaewon, who starred together in 'Hierarchy', are emerging actors of the same age group. Lee Chaemin was born in 2000, while Kim Jaewon and Lee Won-jung were born in 2001. Lee Won-jung shared, "When my mother says that, I reply with a smile, 'I'm doing my best in my own way, so please watch over me a little longer.'" He added, "I want to play a king someday. But watching Chaemin's acting, I wonder if I could pull it off as well. These days, I'm enjoying 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty'."
"I've never even lightly said 'I'm envious'. I'm just happy when my colleagues succeed. To be honest, I believe my time will come soon. Life is all about timing, right? If I keep acting diligently like now, I believe I'll have my moment too. So, I'm not impatient or anxious; instead, I genuinely support my colleagues."
Lee Won-jung recalled that he first dreamed of becoming an actor after watching Lee Byung-hun's performance in the drama 'IRIS' during his childhood. "As he's been my long-time role model, my goal is to act alongside Lee Byung-hun in a project," he revealed.
He expressed admiration for actress Kim Sun-young, saying, "I love her acting." Among his peers, he mentioned 1999-born Cho Yi-hyun, noting, "I was impressed by 'All of Us Are Dead'. I also enjoyed 'The Matchmakers' and have been watching various works." He added, "I once saw her at the 'KBS Drama Awards', and I remember her being quite nervous. I hope to meet her through a project."
Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr