Actor Lee Sang-yoon candidly revealed the story of graduating from Seoul National University after 13 years and the burden he felt from his academic background.
The YouTube content Zzanbro, released on the 13th, featured actors Shin Gu, Lee Sang-yoon and Jo Dal-hwan appearing and having an honest conversation with Shin Dong-yeob and Jung Ho-chul.
That day, Seoul National University alumnus Lee Sang-yoon opened by saying, "I attended Seoul National University for 13 years and eventually graduated." He recalled, "In the middle of it I started acting, and I couldn't balance that with my studies. With my ability, I couldn't do both, so I was going to give up my studies. I wanted to continue acting."
But he continued his studies at his parents' urging. Lee Sang-yoon said, "My parents told me, 'If you have a Seoul National University diploma, you can get a job anywhere and won't starve,' and told me to make sure I graduate. But when I actually tried, it wasn't easy."
In the end, he sought advice from senior and fellow actor the late Lee Soon-jae. Lee Sang-yoon said, "He told me, 'Graduate. Not because it's a Seoul National University diploma, but because the experience of finishing anything to the end will be a great asset in your life,'" and added, "That remark resonated more than my parents' words, so I pushed through and graduated," which moved listeners.
He also confessed the burden of the label "Seoul National University graduate actor" that followed him since his debut. When Shin Dong-yeob asked, "Wasn't the label of coming from a prestigious university a burden?", Lee Sang-yoon frankly replied, "I acted with thoughts of 'How can I hide this, how can I cover this' because I was afraid my shortcomings would be revealed.'"
He went on to say, "On the theater stage, rather than such thoughts, you worry about 'How do I fill this.' The process of learning step by step from the basics is so enjoyable," expressing his affection for theater.
Upon hearing this, Shin Gu empathized, saying, "It's not easy to find time for theater amid a busy schedule," and added, "Theater has never been lucrative, but while I'm on stage, I don't think about anything else. That's why I keep doing it."
Jo Dal-hwan also said to Lee Sang-yoon, "When I first met you in a drama, I was struck by how gentlemanly you were even in your attitude toward the staff," and added, "As you did theater and worried more about acting, your personality gradually showed," prompting laughter.
Meanwhile, Lee Sang-yoon is currently meeting audiences on stage in the play "The Merchant of Venice."
[Photo] 'YouTube'
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