Rising Star Lee Won-jung Opens Up About Past Bullying and Career Journey

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"After becoming an adult, I once ran into a senior who used to hit me at a traffic light. His face was the same. As soon as I saw him, my body froze, but he didn't recognize me and just passed by. My body reacted like Pavlov's dog."

Lee Won-jung candidly shared his difficult experiences from his school days. Recently, in a cafe in Gangnam, he talked about graduating from Anyang Arts High School's Theater and Film Department and then attending Gachon University's Theater and Film Department. He debuted in 2019 with 'Undercover Teacher'.

Since then, he has built his filmography by playing both leading and supporting roles in various works such as 'Real:Time:Love', 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo', 'My Perfect Stranger, You', 'Hierarchy', and 'Serendipity's Embrace'. He is currently gaining attention as a rising actor. This year, he made a special appearance as a terminally ill youth in 'Mary Kills People' and challenged himself with a transformation in 'A Hundred Memories'.

Premiered on the 13th of last month, JTBC's 'A Hundred Memories' is a retro youth melodrama set in the 1980s, depicting the shining friendship between bus conductor Yeong-rae (played by Kim Da-mi) and Jong-hee (played by Shin Ye-eun), and their poignant first love with Jae-pil. In the drama, Lee Won-jung plays 'Danmuji' Ma Sang-cheol, a simple, ignorant, and self-centered yet optimistic and loyal friend who becomes closest to Han Jae-pil (played by Heo Nam-jun) with his unique charm and wit.

Lee Won-jung shared, "I was small in stature until I entered high school. I was 162cm, then grew to 171cm in my sophomore year, and by the end of my senior year, I was 180cm." He continued, "I was bullied in middle school. They came into my house and tormented my dog. They also broke things. I had no choice but to endure it." He added, "At the time, I wasn't good at studying or particularly talented in sports, so I spent a lot of time alone and had many thoughts."

"Even in a difficult and challenging environment, I had a few friends. Looking back, they were like drama protagonists. Handsome, good at studying and sports, he was the class president. He saved me when I was in danger and stopped seniors from bullying me. Thanks to him pulling me out into the world, my life changed significantly."

He said, "I lived abroad for a long time when I was young and moved frequently. I didn't have many friends, so he was really precious to me. I didn't want to lose him." He continued, "My mother sent me to an acting academy because I was introverted. At the time, I didn't want to act. Then I thought, 'Why not try something?' Without knowing any musical numbers, I sang the national anthem and, without any knowledge of acting, I threw myself into impromptu skits."

Lee Won-jung explained, "I started with simple motives, but gradually found acting attractive and interesting." He revealed that most of the seniors who started acting with him went on to Anyang Arts High School, and influenced by them, he hoped to follow the same path.

After being accepted into Anyang Arts High School, Lee Won-jung said, "I also had painful experiences in high school. I learned acting while being hit by a senior." He confessed, "The experience of being ostracized was also distressing. I had a hard time when I heard, 'He dances,' even when I was just standing still." Lee Won-jung added, "It wasn't a group bullying. It was just one senior."

"I don't have any thoughts of revenge. Even if I don't step forward, won't he eventually face the consequences of his actions? Many who have been hurt are actually hoping that he becomes more successful so that the exposure can have a greater impact."

Lee Won-jung confidently concluded the interview, saying, "I can talk about this now because it doesn't bother me anymore."

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr