Actor Lee Byung-heon appears on CNN Talk Asia

Things are only getting better for Korea's top actor Lee Byung-hun, age 39. Nearly two decades after his first debut in 1991, he's become one of the most romantic heroes of Korean soap operas, a ruthless killer in numerous movies and overall, a major heartthrob all across Asia.

The year 2009 was especially rewarding for him both at home and abroad, with his first Hollywood debut “G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra” hitting high at the box office and his spy thriller drama “Iris” at home earning him a grand prize at the 2009 KBS Acting Awards.

CNN Talk Asia just uploaded video footage of its previous interview with Lee on Wednesday (Jan. 20). The footage goes back to Lee on the red carpet last October at the Pusan International Film Festival as he talked about his acting career, his experience with dramas and movies and his future plans after his successful debut in Hollywood.

Lee confessed that he tried to turn down the offer to play the role of Storm Shadow in “G.I. Joe” at first, not knowing what it was. But with much prodding from his acquaintances, especially from director Park Chan-wook, noted for the movie “Old Boy” that won wide critical acclaim, Lee decided otherwise. G.I. Joe attracted 280 million viewers, grossing over US$300 million. With a sequel in the making, Lee has signed up for that, too. 

In his interview, Lee also mentioned the changing times, saying that only few years ago, Korean actors making it in Hollywood was but a dream. “But now it is reality,” he said.

The world “Hallyu (Korean Wave)” was also touched upon during the interview, with the reporter asking why Koreans are so much into soaps. Lee explained that it was the degree of reality put into them. “Korean dramas tend to show real life, small things, small emotions and small twists.” In a similar vein, he also explained why Asia is obsessed with South Korean pop culture. “It's the family thing, love, hate, they can feel the emotions.”

CNN said that according to Lee, his best work is yet to come. “I'm trying to be patient, especially in my work. I'm not doing this job as a joke. I have to persuade my audience with my acting and emotions,” Lee said.

Last Friday (Jan 15) Lee won his most recent award, the Asia Star Award lauded for his contribution to promoting Asian cultural content, bestowed by Korea Model Association at the Asia Model Awards. The Asia Model Awards, the biggest fashion festival of its kind now in its fifth year, is participated in by only the top models of 13 Asian countries under the slogan “Asia is One.” The ceremony was broadcast to 21 Asian countries.

Lee's next project is “The Influence,” a mystery mini-series with a story that revolves around a promise that refuses to go away over time and characters who are faced with tough decisions to keep that promise. It is made up of three parts, totaling up to 60 minutes and will be released online in March, 2010.





By Kim Hee-sung