With a burning thirst. The night Lee Min Ho wakes up.
GQ: Did you sleep well last night?
Lee Min Ho: No.
GQ: Why?
Lee Min Ho: These days (lately), I almost have been living the life of an editor. I edit my videos until around 4 AM in the morning.
GQ: Did you edit it by yourself?
Lee Min Ho: I did edit probably around 70%-80% of the video in which I am capable of, and within my skill of expertise. I use Final Cut Pro (Program), though I still have a lot to learn from it. Not to mention that I also manage to have a good computer which is capable to edit work videos with.
GQ: Nevertheless, we're all curious about the YouTube <Lee Min Ho Film>, can you share how did the project begin?
Lee Min Ho: For a long time, I have been thinking that that I wanted to find a hobby that is related to my job. A hobby that can help myself as well, but I couldn't find the answer. On the other hand, it has been a while since l last created platform where I can do a personal broadcast, my own brand and my own content. I was inspired by the idea, while I also thought that nowadays is an era where I have to brand myself. It started with an idea of 'It would be nice to do it based on what I've been doing daily', which is of course acting even though I've been on this field for over 10 years.
GQ: So it wasn't actually suggested by your agency first, but Lee Min Ho ssi is the one who came up first with the idea.
Lee Min Ho: I asked the company/agency "I wanted to do this, but who can I do this with?". Therefore, I tried to find a really good video production team. However, when I think about it, I had a feeling that there are a lot of things to do and it is too much work. Because of that reason, I tried to re-think of the project again and the result, doing it and starting it with the person who can enjoy it comfortably. GQ: Now that you have done it, what do you think?
Lee Min Ho: I sincerely think that I might have a talent. Hahahaha.
GQ: You said that you edit around 70%-80% of the video. However, the first episode was really like a movie teaser.
Lee Min Ho: 2-3 People are working on this right now. However if we manage to produce with a quality that good, I really do wonder if we can continually make new things while maintaining the quality as good as now.
GQ: You mention that the time has come for you to do your own personal branding. What aspect of yourself that you would like to highlight?
Lee Min Ho: There are certain images that was produced, exist from what I've been doing as an actor. However, I separately heard so many times from others that "Originally it is very different from what I've thought". I tend to listen to that a lot. We then started with thinking "What aspects are so different? What should I do to close the gap?". I was thinking that if I could work on my personal videos comfortably, the gap on my image could narrow. However, the image that I've been giving is so strong that it might be burdensome if I show it suddenly and therefore, I should not lose the image that I brought but instead be comfortable in it.
GQ: But it worked well. The little things that set up the mood was fun. Are there things where it leaves you "Why wasn't this deleted?"
Lee Min Ho: Which one? What? There's nothing to delete, though?
GQ: There goes the snobby part. The appearance of the "Get out of our sight" response.
Lee Min Ho: Ah, hahahahaha.
GQ: Do you perhaps know that even the scene where you type your cellphone's password was aired and seen?
Lee Min Ho: Sure, of course I know. I left them there purposefully for fun.
GQ: We seem to take on something interesting.
Lee Min Ho: Yes, I did not delete it on purpose to add the element of fun.
GQ: It was unexpected because we think that you might not want to reveal something so private.
Lee Min Ho: In fact, I am actually not afraid nor hesitate to reveal it. There are some things (from myself) that I am proud of. I also think that I have never made any big significant mistake, or cause problem. How should I put this, I have my own self esteem?
GQ: Self Esteem.
Lee Min Ho: Correct, I do think that I am a proud person and I can proudly reveal myself.
GQ: We remember that too. There is a scene where you left the house at 12.58, we thought it was 12.58 PM (Day Time) but instead it is 12.58 PM (Midnight).
Lee Min Ho: It has become a habit of mine to take a walk where there aren't many people around.
GQ: There were comments on the scene, people were saying out of sympathy and sadness '‘It just makes me a little sad that his only freedom is when everybody’s asleep.'
Lee Min Ho: 'It is saddening to see how free I am when everyone is asleep', I am amazed by those who notice and recognize such a deep point on the scene. When that happens, I feel happy.
GQ: You feel happy?
Lee Min Ho: That's for sure, because I truly do not mind. I am very familiar with those kind of things (comments), in fact going for a walk at midnight where people are not around are different from normal life and different from most people are doing. That is where that kind of point came out.
GQ: The comment wants to relay a sympathetic feeling, but Lee Min Ho is actually okay and happy with it. You do look like you are happy now.
Lee Min Ho: There is a feeling of excitement when I do something subjectively, with all of my thoughts. As an actor, I feel happy when I think about how I can act on a scene, and I feel happy when all of my thoughts on the acting process came out. Not to mention because there's always synopsis/script, and I wrote them down on a Memo/Notepad each time I think about it. That scene (midnight walk), the title would be '12.58'. It is the way of myself strolling and exploring the city when it is sleeping, through the ways that I usually go through.
GQ: Namsan Tower and Mountain?
Lee Min Ho: InWangSan (Inwang Mountain). The time and scenery seems very natural to me. In this way, I can write synopsis and discuss with my staff on how the scene should be taken and how we should proceed. I tried to think one by one with my sensibility but when I saw the comments, I am glad that my feelings and emotions seems to reach out well.
GQ: We actually do not have to give it too many thoughts. Star Lee Min Ho is inevitably enjoying the solitude of night time.
Lee Min Ho: Yes, and no. I was originally a nocturnal. I feel comfortable with it since I was young. Strangely then, I would be tired during the day. My peak time, the most shining time for me would be at 2 AM.
GQ: But still, we wonder whether there is a time where you feel that the night was exceptionally long and dark?
Lee Min Ho: When I was in my 20s, I had to be hospitalized for a year. At that time well, day feels like night and night, feels like a darker version of night.
GQ: Are you talking about the accident that you unfortunately had with your friend, actor Jung Il Woo?
Lee Min Ho: Yes, together. We are at our 20s at that time, and we were on the way to see the beach/sea.
GQ: You must feel so sad and depressed/dark at that time.
Lee Min Ho: I was told that I might not be able to walk again but, uhm, thankfully everything went well a few months afterwards. Then came the drama "High Kick". I actually like the fact that my friends successfully went through everything, but I can not help to feel bitterness at that time. Anyway, opposite and negative emotion came at the same time, including the pain of my first love. I was in my 20s and therefore, so many things and everything came together.
GQ: You must feel a lot of emotions, and can not forget the feeling when you finally can walk with your two feet again.
Lee Min Ho: Afterwards I started to resume my activities again with big dreams, but at that time I was thrown into the society. Once again I feel sad thinking that no one really cares about me when I was at school. However, I made up my mind by thinking "I'll do well" and "Let's do well"
GQ: With that mindset that you'll do well, then you work on "Boys Over Flowers" (2009). After 3 years, you met "Boys Over Flowers".
Lee Min Ho: Gu Jun Pyo came from all of that.
GQ: What if, just in case you did not meet Gu Jun Pyo and did not work on "Boys Over Flowers" (2009)?
Lee Min Ho: I sincerely think that it would be also great to meet other works/projects.
GQ: Your self esteem really...
Lee Min Ho: Hahaha. I do not have that high of self-esteem as well. In the past, I tend to notice where I had quite high self esteem and when I had low self-esteem. Because of course there are many times where I can not always prioritize my pride/confidence. But little by little, I can become more confident as much as I can handle. Huhm, shouldn't self-esteem a deep word and should be on a degree where you can afford it?
GQ: How did you manage to set a standard for that?
Lee Min Ho: Maybe it happens when I have a lot of money? I receive a lot of love and I thankfully do not have to worry about food/eat.
GQ: We do think that Lee Min Ho ssi himself has learned on how to survive in this world. It is an amazing mindset to get up and stand up quickly at the times of pressure.
Lee Min Ho: I honestly do not like being 'stuck' on anything, and maybe I also do not like doing things like how others did it. For example, you go to a certain place and get stressed out, you have to relax yourself/de-stress in that place and that's it, problem solved. I don't do "Ahhh.." (reminiscing on the stress) when I got home later.
GQ: What are you thinking about when you're being quiet, without doing anything in particular?
Lee Min Ho: Lately, of course I would be thinking of filming and YouTube (Lee Min Ho Film) content. If it's not that..I do think that happiness is where you do not have many factors to think about. I am currently in a state/condition where I feel happy and comfortable. Happily.
GQ: Have you been asked this question before in the past, and familiar with this?
Lee Min Ho: At that time I think I answered that I just "Stared into nowhere blankly"/"Dumbfounded"
GQ: These are the lines from "Pachinko", from Han Su.
Lee Min Ho: Wait, please do read it once again
GQ: But I am very lacking in acting.
Lee Min Ho: Hahahah, Aahh I remember. That's where I met Sun Ja (female protagonist character) in the beginning.
GQ: Yes, that is the work based on a novel from the same name "Pachinko" produced by Apple TV Plus. Plus. This is what Han Su portrayed by Lee Min Ho said in the original
Lee Min Ho: Yes, that is correct. I missed it on the script reading.
GQ: How did you join "Pachinko"?
Lee Min Ho: I came up to receive an offer from an American production. "The King: Eternal Monarch" has just finished and the production side came with the offer. "Audition? Seems fun", and therefore I tried it.
GQ: Seems like fun? Would you really like to do it at that time?
Lee Min Ho: At that time, I was thinking "Audition? What should I auditioned on?"
GQ: Hahaha. Should this be off the record?
Lee Min Ho: It's because I am the kind of person who is not used to auditions. I read the script and I said "What should I auditioned on?". I read the script, but it was different from the scripts that I met before. In South Korean series in which I deal with in depth, there is an sense of mission. In fact, sometimes it has the risks to follow the current trend, popularity, advertisements and so on. Anyway, I thought that this could be a new project with a different depth and sense. I watched the script and Han Su's character is shining so brightly.
GQ: I heard that the audition process for "Pachinko" is unusual as well. They open all of the opportunities and said "If you would like to do it, show it to us", Lee Min Ho ssi should also see the audition process.
Lee Min Ho: Exactly, I notice it from the camcorder from the audition process until the 6th round. When I was on the 3rd-4th round, I receive the proposal and script, and it sticks with me.
GQ: Is that so? Your confidence, hahahaha.
Lee Min Ho: No, because I have not audition in a decade or so.
GQ: And then?
Lee Min Ho: All of the memories came back, though the situation is different. It will be very embarrassing if I failed the audition, therefore I prepare myself hard and work harder. It's been a while since I've been working so hard in such a short time in the past few years.
GQ: Are you nervous?
Lee Min Ho: I am nervous and excited, and I think of old times. However, I met my other collages who also auditioned for this project. They said that they all feel the same. It is a good, exciting experience.
GQ: Of course it is an audition, it should be that way.
Lee Min Ho: No, that's not it. First of all when you failed/feels off more than necessary in the audition, then it's not meant to be. It can't be and therefore I think "I should do well, I should do well" like someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
GQ: You should be happy that you finally got the role.
Lee Min Ho: Yes, I am indeed very happy to have gotten it.
GQ: When choosing projects, Lee Min Ho ssi seems to prefer those who can make you leave your previous image. "Heirs" was the last appearance with a school uniform, and "Gangnam 1970" would be a project about coming of age where a man and boy coexist. What would you like to leave behind with the project "Pachinko"?
Lee Min Ho: Strangely, it'll be good if it feels unfamiliar.
GQ: Unfamiliar?
Lee Min Ho: In fact, the image that people remember from "The King: Eternal Monarch" would be a king/prince with his white horse, and that is the exact same thing with "Boys Over Flowers" and "Heirs". Then that image, I would like to finish riding that white horse.
GQ: Let's let go of that image then.
Lee Min Ho: Right, if a prince on a white horse is my representative image, I should end it with an role of a King riding on a white horse. Let's stop it afterwards. With "The King: Eternal Monarch", I think that the image would end, and I was thinking of making a difference. Therefore, Han Su came. I had a feeling that a male character that I prefer would be in Han Su and in conclusion, it will seems like it's unfamiliar.
GQ: I'm curious on how Lee Min Ho draw the character Han Su, I am looking forward to it.
Lee Min Ho: I am also looking forward to it, because I do not know how it'll come out. It is the first time since "Boys Over Flowers" that I do not monitor for the scenes. I am focusing on my own feelings at that moment as much as possible.
GQ: It's the first time you did not monitor it after "Boys Over Flowers"?
Lee Min Ho: I can not monitor it on "Boys Over Flowers".
GQ: So you did it again now.
Lee Min Ho: I went back again in time, seeing the audition raw I feel like I went back to 12 years ago. This is how it works for me. If I did the scene and act unfamiliarly, I can't check my appearance and when it's over I will feel uncomfortable. Even during the "Boys Over Flowers" I sometimes get upset. Am I good enough, did I do it right? I will criticize and doubt myself, and now thinking if it's done correctly.
GQ: Is it the same with "Lee Min Ho Film"?
Lee Min Ho: "People who are honest with their passion are honestly amazing". Oh to hear it again I feel the chill on my spine. When I hear it again, it might be too much but then at that time, I was relaying a good saying/words to someone who I consider as a younger brother.
GQ: What is Lee Min Ho ssi passionate about?
Lee Min Ho: That is what i'd like to be, just the way it is (raw). However, other people might find it unorganized.
GQ: Why would you like it raw?
Lee Min Ho: Perhaps because I was thirsty for it. Because at some point, everything became a daily routine. Things that are unfamiliar no longer give any tension/thrill and that continues. Emotions like when I was young feeling joyful, happy, sad, at that time it was all clear. I don't think that I should be doing and saying this, but i'd like to feel that I am alive. In the middle of that, I met "Pachinko" and my thoughts got stronger, therefore I started "Lee Min Ho Film".
GQ: Looks like the waves (of emotions) came again now
Lee Min Ho: Yes and therefore, the energy is very good.
GQ: This words keep ringing to me. If you are looking for an image of a prince on a white house, then let's finish that image until the end, instead of taking a step back.
Lee Min Ho: Exactly. I have a lot of characters similar to a prince with a white horse. Therefore, the image should be burnt and until now, I think that I was the only one who did it.
GQ: And that is why you're going raw.
Lee Min Ho: And that is why I'm going raw.
GQ: Last question, what would you like to happen when you wake up after sleeping?
Lee Min Ho: I wishes for my face to not look bloated/swollen. When my face is swollen, the difference is big.
GQ: You answer without any single second of hesitation.
Lee Min Ho: Because it is no joke, I wish I had my 3 AM face when I wake up.
GQ: Would you like to share any more, any different thing that you like to happen when you wake up?
Lee Min Ho: Why, Why? Is it not possible to use it? It was my sincere wish, wasn't this an honest interview.
Original Source: GQ Korea
Korean to English Translation: Monika Setiono (please take out with full credit)
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