Actor Lee Hun opens up about contemplating retirement from acting amid news of projects falling through for the third consecutive year.
Lee Hun, once the epitome of the tough-guy image, appears on KBS Joy (Ask Us Anything Fortune Teller) airing at 8 p.m. on the 20th and confesses his desperate dilemma at a crossroads in his acting career amid repeated gaps.
In a recent recording, he candidly revealed that he has been effectively unemployed as projects he had been preparing for over the past three years were repeatedly canceled. From a drama scheduled for 2024 to a U.S. location shoot planned for 2025, and a project halted this year due to production funding issues, the prolonged gaps led him to say, "I might boldly give up being an actor," a remark that stirred the set.
He added poignancy by recounting how the effort he poured into preparing for roles went to waste. He lost 10 kilograms for a killer role in a Hollywood film, and for another project he bulked up by more than 10 kilograms, attempting extreme physical transformations, only to feel hollow when the projects were canceled.
He said that after deciding to appear he focused solely on the role and was unable to engage in any economic activity, lamenting, "It's not a complaint of being full; it's the torture of hope where you can't quit work but can't continue it either."
In response, "bosal" Seo Jang-hoon regretted the loss of Lee Hun's acting career and offered firm advice. Seo Jang-hoon emphasized, "You must continue acting no matter what," urging him to now build an image as an "actor who talks about life." He also delivered a practical admonition that it's necessary to let go of past pride and take a proactive approach to seize opportunities first.
Lee Soo-keun also joked, "How about changing your name from Lee Hun to 'Divorce'?" drawing laughter. With his trademark wit he flipped the mood, saying, "I think a big project will come in around July this year or next year," offering Lee Hun renewed hope.
[Photo] "Ask Us Anything Fortune Teller"
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