Lee Dong Wook on rallying fans at impeachment protests: “A gesture of support for resilience”

Lee Dong Wook on supporting fans at impeachment rallies: “A show of solidarity during trying times”.

Actor Lee Dong Wook recently spoke candidly about his thoughts on the current political climate and his reasons for supporting fans attending presidential impeachment rallies. During a meeting on January 6th in Jongno, Seoul, the actor shared his perspective, intertwining his reflections with historical and cinematic parallels.

Reflections on the current state of affairs

Lee began by expressing his regret over the nation’s turmoil, stating, “This is an unfortunate time for us.” Drawing parallels to his film ‘Harbin’, he mentioned a line attributed to Japanese Resident-General Itō Hirobumi: “This country may have had poor leadership, but its people have always overcome adversity.” He added, “Even Itō’s subordinates acknowledged Korea’s strength during Admiral Yi Sun Sin’s time, 300 years earlier. Now, nearly 500 years since the Imjin War, history seems to repeat itself, which is both frustrating and tragic.”

Lee expressed hope for the resilience of the Korean people, saying, “Our history is filled with examples of overcoming national crises. I hope this time, too, we can endure and return our country to normalcy.”

On supporting fans at rallies

When asked about his encouragement to fans participating in impeachment rallies, Lee explained, “I wanted to support those who braved the cold to make their voices heard. While I couldn’t physically stand beside them, I felt the least I could do was offer words of encouragement. I believe many citizens feel similarly.”

Lee acknowledged the unpredictability of the current situation: “We’re living in uncertain times where we can’t predict what will happen tomorrow. This overlap of real-life events with themes in my film feels surreal and deeply poignant.”

Performance in ‘Harbin’

In ‘Harbin’, Lee Dong Wook portrays Lee Chang Seop, a character who opposes Ahn Jung Geun yet shares a profound dedication to protecting Korea. The film, set in 1909, depicts the intense pursuit and ideological conflicts among those who converged in Harbin for a singular purpose. As of the day of the interview, the film had amassed 3.67 million viewers, securing the top spot at the box office.

Lee’s nuanced portrayal of Lee Chang-seop earned praise, adding depth to a career that spans dramas like ‘Tale of the Nine-Tailed’ and ‘The Killer’s Shopping Mall’, as well as films like ‘Single in Seoul’ and ‘Happy New Year’. Through ‘Harbin’, Lee continues to cement his reputation as a versatile actor capable of embodying both complexity and conviction.