MANILA, Philippines — Testament to the strong Korean wave in recent Pinoy popular culture is a number of K-Pop acts and artists who have mounted their shows in the country. Lee Sung Kyung’s Be Joyful is one of them. The Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo star came recently to Manila for an ABS-CBN media call and a fan meet event at SM Skydome.
Away from her unforgettable onscreen character Kim Bok-joo, she was a beauty that could command attention of adoring fans and first-time onlookers. Her amiable, lovable personality was also evident. Lee acknowledged fan reactions with a smile, a hand wave or a Korean heart sign.
“As an actress (who played) Kim Bok-joo, I turned to be a personality of Kim Bok-joo. Since (my other character named) Mikaela is a first child, in real life, I’m very near to (her),” replied the actress through an interpreter when asked about roles that she could relate to the most during the media call. Kapamilya star Alexander Diaz facilitated the interview.
Of course, viewers of Asianovela Channel have known Lee for the well-loved athletic, family-oriented Kim Bok-joo. Similar to showbiz journeys of some Pinoy stars, Lee made a successful crossover from catwalk, so to speak, to the small screen. That meant for her a change of platform and audience.
“I enjoyed shifting from modeling to (acting),” she said. “When there were (areas that required me) to adjust, I tried to look deep down so I could improve as an actress as well.” It spoke of her commitment to any craft she decided to get into. Thus, success was never far behind.
“(My) Philippine fans really love Kim Bok-joo, the series very much,” she began prior to sharing her preparations for the role of Kim Bok-joo. “Thank you very much. So I had a hard time (preparing) physically (and) to look a bit chubbier (in order) to look Kim Bok-joo. To feel (or get into) the character, I tried so well to understand the personality and characteristics and the small stuff about Kim Bok-joo.” Aside from her character’s struggles to be the best in her sport and to be a better daughter and girlfriend, Kim Bok-joo and her friends’ signature “swag” (which means “cool”) expression also stays with the fans.
“Right now,” Lee’s Pinoy fan moment, was a situation she considered a “swag” — and that sent a message of love and appreciation to fans and the latter reciprocated it with admiration.
Will there be a Season Two for Weightlifting Fairy?
“I have to discuss (that) with the writer and the director of (Weightlifting Fairy) Kim Bok-joo,” answered Lee, who is open to new opportunities and possibilities in her promising career.
“Right now, I want to try new things, where everything looks new to me. I’m not thinking about any specific roles,” she said. Whatever hat she is wearing (it could be a model’s or actor’s), Lee gives her full attention. The actress can also sing and dance.
“I can’t specifically choose because I’m having fun with all of them. But now since I’m an actress, I love acting,” said she, who did collaborations like I Love You (with The Papers), My Lips Like Warm Coffee (Eddy Kim) and Last Scene (Psy), and solo hits My Only One Person, I am What I am and Tomorrow Will be a Better Day.
“The drama (I was part of), which is It’s OK, It’s Love, was a very great gift and blessing to me,” she recalled. “I was able to work with great seniors and veteran actors. That started my career as an actress.” From then on, one may say that Lee has found her place in the Korean tinseltown, enjoys everything about it and has never looked back.
Although she is dedicated to what she does, Lee finds a way to unwind. Recently, she watched Aladdin. Her cover of its theme song titled A Whole New World caught the attention of Lea Salonga, who originally performed it for the animation version. Yes, she has the potential to become a K-pop idol, but Lee said she never thought about it because “I’m too tall to be an idol.”
Aside from that, she was also asked about her thoughts on being fashionable.
“You have to show your confidence and know yourself and then portray that in fashion, that’s what the meaning of fashionable to me,” she said.
As for the things-to-do she wishes to tick before turning 40, Lee said: “First, I want to see my fans in the Philippines again, (then to live) abroad for a month with my family. Another one is to become healthy and to have another drama for (my) next project.”
In the course of her media call, Lee was a picture of happiness and gratefulness.
“I’ve heard a lot of fans (here who) like Kim Bok-joo. So I had more reflection on my way here,” she said. “I’m trying to think of a better (comedy) or film I can show to the fans. I have to prepare (something) best for the fans… Thank you so much... Thank you for the support and love.”