They say a river can change in 10 years, and it has been 5 years since the landscape changed. This is the story of actor Won Bin's hiatus. Having only shown his face through advertisements for 15 years, sightings and updates about Won Bin are always bound to become a hot topic. Particularly contrasting with his wife Lee Na-young's active engagement, there is a growing voice ardently wishing for Won Bin to return, along with voices lamenting his absence.
Debuting in the 1997 KBS2 drama "Proposal", Won Bin appeared as an exotic neighbor walking a dog. The late Andre Kim noted, "I was too shocked by how fresh he was. I saw a strong impression from Won Bin, who had a gaze reminiscent of Jang Dong-gun. His character was excellent, and witnessing him grow into a popular star while maintaining his pride made me feel he was an exemplary star."
After gaining attention as a 'handsome actor', Won Bin took on his first leading role in the MBC drama "Ready, Go!" He has appeared in "Jump", "Kwang-ki", "Drama City - He Arrived at the Small Station", "Kkokji", "Autumn in My Heart", "Friends", and more. In film, his appearances began with a special role in "Saturday Afternoon at 2 PM", followed by roles in "The Killer's Talking", "Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War", "Our Boy", "Mother", and "The Man from Nowhere".
Since debuting in 1997 and until his last work in the 2010 film "The Man from Nowhere", the number of works Won Bin has appeared in is only 14 (including 6 films and 8 dramas), even if you include special appearances. Including the 2001 play "Dining Room", it reaches a total of 15, indicating that despite the relatively small number of works, the name 'Won Bin' is profoundly remembered due to his outstanding visuals and presence.
Since the release of the film "The Man from Nowhere" in 2010, Won Bin's filmography has been on pause. He caused a stir when he married actress Lee Na-young in 2015, but his only interactions with viewers have been through advertisements. Meanwhile, the child actors who starred alongside him have grown into adults and are actively working, yet oddly enough, there have been no 'work activities' from Won Bin.
This stands out even more when compared to his wife Lee Na-young's active career. Since marrying Won Bin in 2015, Lee Na-young has appeared in dramas such as "Romance is a Supplement", "Park Ha-kyung's Travelogue" and the movie "Beautiful Days". Though her progress has not been a continuous stream of more than one work a year, Lee Na-young has consistently engaged with audiences through her works. Particularly, she has also confirmed her appearance in the Genie TV original drama "Honor", scheduled to air in 2026.
With Won Bin reclusive and Lee Na-young active, questions inevitably fell on Lee Na-young. She said about Won Bin's hiatus, "He is also watching eagerly. (Won Bin) is interested and feels envious as an actor when he sees good movies. When a good opportunity arises, he will return. Please wait a little longer." However, two years have passed since this interview, and there have been no news of Won Bin's return.
Won Bin's recent updates are conveyed only through advertisements or sightings. Recently, actor Ryu Jin stirred up attention when he asked the owner of a pork belly restaurant, "Are there any other celebrities who have come here?", to which the owner replied that Won Bin and Lee Na-young had been there. While being a star who still captures attention through sightings, depending solely on such accounts for updates can be bittersweet for fans.
Perhaps he is waiting for a good opportunity, as Lee Na-young suggested. From a representative handsome actor in Korea to now becoming a 'recent sighting actor' and 'witness-based actor,' we await the day Won Bin performs in front of the camera again.
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