There was a time when his background made every filming day feel unbearable.
In the competitive world of K-Pop and K-Dramas, few journeys are as poignant and inspiring as that of Lee Junyoung. The beloved star of When Life Gives You Tangerines and Weak Hero Class 2 has become one of the clearest examples of an idol actor who proved himself against all odds. Yet, his remarkable path into acting came with wounds that stayed with him, revealing the harsh realities many idol-turned-actors face.
From Idol Dreams to Painful Realities
On the July 8 episode of tvN’s You Quiz On The Block, Lee Junyoung appeared as a guest and looked back on his career, including the painful prejudice he faced after transitioning from idol activities into acting. Lee Junyoung originally debuted as a member of U-KISS at 18 years old. During the broadcast, he shared that he had faced repeated setbacks before his debut and had nearly given up on becoming a singer, thinking that maybe he “wasn’t meant” to do it.
After joining U-KISS, however, the group’s activities eventually slowed down. Lee Junyoung admitted that the period was difficult, especially when he watched his friends appear at major award shows while he stayed home. Seeing others in the same industry receive huge cheers made him question his own situation.
The Fight for Survival and a New Path
Rather than remain stuck, Lee Junyoung began searching for a way forward. He explained that his family had debt at the time, and he felt responsible for the people who believed in him. With little individual income, he even worked night shifts at a convenience store near his home. The actor recalled being caught by his manager while working the part-time job. He said he could not say anything and simply cried. Afterward, he reportedly told his manager that he would “definitely succeed,” and he continued pushing forward with that promise in mind.
Overcoming Prejudice: The Idol Actor’s Burden
His next path was acting. Lee Junyoung began studying scripts on his own and continued auditioning even after being rejected more than 100 times. Yet the rejections were not the only painful part. According to Lee Junyoung, the industry prejudice against idol actors at the time was severe. “It’s not like that now, but back then, there was a lot of prejudice against people who came from idols,” he said.
He then revealed the words that hurt him the most during that period:
“Go Back”: A Scar That Fueled Determination
The words that hurt me the most were, ‘Stop causing us trouble and just go back to where you came from.’
— Lee Junyoung
The comment, “Why don’t you just go back to being an idol?”, left a deep scar. Lee Junyoung shared that on days he was supposed to be on set, people would sigh throughout the shoot, making him anxious about returning to set the next day. Before sleeping, he would constantly think about what he should say and how he should behave when he went back. Rather than openly complain, Lee Junyoung said he tried to brace himself for every possible insult. His mindset became painfully simple: if he did not want to hear those words again, he had to become better.
A Respected Actor Emerges
And over the years, he has, in fact, built a respected acting career through steady performances and has earned praise as one of the standout idol turned actors of his generation. Idol actors have often faced skepticism before even being given the chance to prove themselves, with some judged more for their background than their actual work. But now, the same actor who was once told to “go back” has become proof of why those words were wrong! His journey is a testament to resilience, talent, and unwavering dedication.
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