K-Pop Star Lee Chan-won Pays Tribute to Late Leslie Cheung on 'Celebrity Soldier's Secret'

K-pop singer Lee Chan-won has expressed his admiration for the late Leslie Cheung.

On April 14, KBS2's 'Celebrity Soldier's Secret' will air a special episode that delves into the life of the immortal star, Leslie Cheung, who remains a 'current phenomenon' even 23 years after his passing.

On April 1, 2003, Cheung's manager, who was waiting for him outside a hotel after hearing him say, "I'll be there soon," heard a loud noise. Mistaking it for a traffic accident, the manager reported it, only to discover at the hospital that it was indeed Leslie Cheung.

Police announced that Cheung had taken his own life by jumping from the 24th floor of the hotel. The tragic news broke on April Fool's Day, leading many to initially dismiss it as a hoax, which fueled numerous rumors and speculations.

The broadcast will feature rare footage of Cheung's appearances on Korean programs in the 1990s. Editor Joo Sung-chul revealed that a skit that launched the career of national MC Yoo Jae-suk was a parody of Cheung's film, and that national singer Lim Young-woong's name was inspired by Cheung's movie 'A Better Tomorrow'.

Lee Chan-won admitted to being a 'successful fan' himself, sharing his own pilgrimage to Hong Kong. He expressed regret over the disappearance of the iconic phone booth from 'A Better Tomorrow', humorously questioning Editor Joo, "Why did they remove it?" which brought laughter to the studio.

The episode will also explore the dark side of the Hong Kong film industry in the 80s and 90s, including the notorious Triad crime syndicate. From the kidnapping of actress Yu Ka-ling to the shooting of Jet Li's manager, Leslie Cheung also faced pressures to appear in films against his will. However, he chose to remain silent and instead built a unique filmography with works like 'Farewell My Concubine' that showcased his artistic convictions.

Cheung's journey was not without struggles. He endured a lonely childhood, eight years of obscurity, and prejudiced views on his sexual orientation. The episode will reveal how his dream of becoming a film director was thwarted by a massive financial fraud, prompting guest Choi Yoo-jung to empathize with his sense of isolation, ultimately bringing her to tears.

The episode will air on April 14 at 8:30 PM on KBS 2TV and will be available for streaming on Wavve.

Reporter: Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr