Korean Comedian Lee Guk-joo Shares Frustrating Experience in Japan

Korean comedian Lee Guk-joo recently expressed her frustration over being treated dismissively in Japan.

On October 30, Lee Guk-joo's YouTube channel featured a video titled 'Visiting a Japanese Fortune Teller with My Korean Shaman Friend.'

In the video, Lee visited a Japanese fortune teller with her Korean shaman friend, Byeon Doryeong, and her close friend Eunji. She mentioned, "I visited this place back in 2019, and it's been here for six years," expressing curiosity about her romantic future.

Previously, Byeon Doryeong had read Lee's fortune, stating, "An ex might contact you, but it won't work out." Lee shared, "Korean shamans have told me they don't see 'marriage luck' for me. Even if it's not there, I'll make it happen," showing her determination.

The Japanese fortune teller, after examining Lee's name and fortune, remarked, "What an incredible name. You're like a queen," while Byeon Doryeong also commented on the strength of her name.

When asked about her marriage and love prospects, the Japanese fortune teller noted, "You were popular last year and this year, but nothing happened? You don't have the star of marriage. It's not that you can't marry, but you prioritize work."

Following this, Lee declared, "I give up on marriage," and shifted her focus to career prospects. The fortune teller explained that Lee would face a turning point at 31, suggesting, "It's hard to make money as a comedian. You might quit or struggle to succeed in the long run. You should consider other ventures, like opening a bakery."

Lee, who is now 40, questioned, "But I've been doing well so far," yet felt disheartened by the fortune teller's comment that "you can't buy a house as a comedian."

During a tarot reading, Lee mentioned a male friend she hadn't contacted in three months, seeking insight into her romantic prospects. The Japanese fortune teller suggested, "He seems to like you and might have ulterior motives."

After the fortune-telling session, Lee and her friends visited a local sushi restaurant. Despite Eunji's fluency in Japanese, having graduated from Waseda University, the restaurant staff's dismissive attitude when asked about the menu in Japanese left Lee feeling uncomfortable.

Lee expressed her displeasure, saying, "They treated us like complete tourists, assuming we couldn't speak Japanese. Some places treat foreigners like this."

However, after ordering more food, the staff's attitude changed. Lee, with her characteristic friendliness, even bonded with the neighboring table, teaching them some Korean.

Lee concluded, "My energy is soaring. Conversing with the next table makes me eager to improve my Japanese," expressing her desire to enhance her language skills and lead conversations at social gatherings.

By Eunjeong Kim, TenAsia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr