Actor Lee Joo-been candidly opened up about being separated from her family during childhood and the emptiness that followed success, evoking deep empathy.
On the 25th, SBS variety show 'Monk and guest' depicted a journey to Bodh Gaya, India, with Venerable Beopryun. That day, the members had to choose their own means of transportation to move to Bodh Gaya, the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment.
In particular, the so-called "golden ticket," which allowed travel with Venerable Beopryun, appeared, and all the cast members yielded the ticket to Lee Joo-been. In response, Lee Joo-been smiled brightly and said, "I will gratefully accept it. Thank you."
Meanwhile, Ro Hong-chul and Lee Sang-yoon embarked on an arduous journey requiring a 12-hour bus ride. Ro Hong-chul recalled his past trip to Nepal and said, "A rhinoceros really appeared in the village. It charged in an attack posture and I almost died," recounting the thrilling moment. Even so, he added, "I like that kind of thing," revealing his characteristic adventurous side and drawing laughter.
Later, while on the train during a one-on-one instant question-and-answer session with Venerable Beopryun, Lee Joo-been brought up stories from her childhood. She said, "I don't have many memories from when I was young," and "I started working part-time from middle school to earn tuition." She continued, "When I was 21, my mother and younger sibling immigrated to the United States where my mother's family lives, and I became independent," and confessed, "My father was also building a factory for work, so somehow the family scattered."
Lee Joo-been said, "Since then I have lived in constant anxiety," recalling those difficult times. She also said that even after establishing herself as an actor following a long period of obscurity, she felt emotions different from what she had expected. She said, "I thought I would be happy if I succeeded, but it didn't feel as fulfilling as I thought," and "I kept wondering what I had to do to be happy," honestly sharing her inner thoughts.
Venerable Beopryun advised, "It is important to know who you are now," and said, "Because you keep trying to become something, you end up abusing yourself." He added, "To love yourself is not to torment yourself," and said, "Don't only try to become something. The moment you let go of anxiety and attachment, peace comes. That is 'banghachak.'"
After hearing the monk's words, Lee Joo-been calmly said, "Thinking that there was a fixed answer to happiness itself was probably the beginning of worry and anxiety," and "I am trying to know who I am now and find the answer within me."
[Photo] 'Monk and guest'
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