Lee Seung-gi, thoughts on the change in grand prize in 5 years

Actor Lee Seung-gi's thoughts on receiving the grand prize changed for the first time in five years. The comments directed at Kwon Jin-young, CEO of Hook Entertainment, with whom he had been through hardships for 18 years, have changed 180 degrees.

Lee Seung-gi received the joint grand prize for the drama 'Love According to the Law' at the KBS2 'Acting Awards' aired on the 31st. In his speech on receiving the grand prize, he said, "I'm very nervous. This year was probably the hardest year in my life. I'm grateful and sorry for giving me such a big award. It seems like the actors of Love Like the Law today went away empty-handed, but this award “I think their efforts were reflected in this,” he said.

He continued, "Actually, I thought hundreds of times today, 'Should I come to the Drama Awards, or should I ask for understanding and not attend?' As many of you know, I have personal matters to attend to, so I didn't think it would be right to come to the festival and just smile or remain expressionless." “There is only one reason why I decided to come. Dramas are made by teams, so I thought that the hard work of the staff and actors, who put in their sweat, effort, and soul, should not be ignored due to personal issues.”

In particular, "I was very touched when I came here today and saw my colleagues, seniors and juniors sitting in the audience. Currently, our country's content has risen to the global level, and the people here are at the forefront," he said. "Next year, the next year, 10 to 20 years from now." “For the sake of my juniors who will be sitting in their seats, I promised myself again today, ‘I must not pass on the work that I had to put down and fight for for my natural rights.’”

Lee Seung-gi is facing a legal battle with his agency, Hook Entertainment. On the 22nd, Lee Seung-gi's side filed a criminal complaint against four Hook Entertainment executives, including CEO Kwon Jin-young, saying, "We have learned that Hook's former and current directors deceived Lee Seung-gi and stole some of the advertising model fees." In addition, there is a legal dispute related to 18 years of unsettled payments.

He, who has recently been involved in a legal conflict with Hook, indirectly and sometimes directly mentioned his dispute with CEO Kwon in public appearances. Things like, “This year is the most difficult year,” and “We should not pass on to our juniors what we have to fight for and obtain our natural rights.”

However, just five years ago, Lee Seung-gi was Kwon Jin-young's representative Holic when he received the grand prize at the 2018 SBS Entertainment Awards. He received the grand prize for 'All the Butlers' and expressed his infinite gratitude to Jinyoung Kwon, CEO of his agency.

Lee Seung-gi said, "CEO Jin-young Kwon is my best friend and teacher in life. He took me in when I was in high school when I had nothing and debuted as a singer. When I first started doing entertainment, I was very scared and wanted to run away. 'I can't be good at entertainment.' When I was frustrated, the CEO gave me faith and said, ‘You can do it,’ and ‘In 10 years, there will come an era where singers, actors, and entertainment crossovers will come.’ Thanks to the CEO, I am still lacking, but I can be in this position. “I think there is. Thank you again,” he said in honor of receiving the award.

After 5 years, the 'Grand Prize' trophy was the same, but Lee Seung-gi's feelings toward CEO Jin-young Kwon were completely opposite. To him, CEO Kwon went from a 'life master' who raised high school students into stars to an 'ugly person' who did not pay his dues properly for 18 years. It literally left a bitter aftertaste. Thinking back to the past when they were like mother and son, the current situation, which has completely turned upside down, evokes sadness in the viewers.

Ryu Ye-ji, Ten Asia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr