A Special feature from PlanetBH0712

Byung Hun Lee... Exists to Act

Not so glamorous

But... ever so tranquil and passionate

He lets his existence known

Byung Hun Lee...

Actor like him, there never was.



Jumping Up Step By Step

Born on July 12th, 1970, Byung Hun Lee officially entered the world of acting through 14th annual public audition held by Korea Broadcast System (KBS) in 1991. After graduating from Hanyang University majoring in French Literature, he continued his studies at the Graduate School of Joongang University, majoring in Theater and Cinematography. Having appeared in several TV dramas, he made his screen debut in 1995. However, he only gains the present recognition that he so longed for, as being 'an actor' in the truest sense of the word, only after experiencing quite a few failures in the box-office. Steadily walking down the road he has chosen, without haste and solely relying on his passion for acting alone, has led him to the recognition that he enjoys today.

An Actor Who Progresses Slowly

Byung Hun Lee, is not an actor who has walked the so-called fast and easy road. While harboring dreams to be an actor, he experienced considerable disappointments and frustrations because of the realities that contradicted his dreams, and so he has also become an entertainer who learned to adapt to the realities. For now, his role as an entertainer for the public will have to continue for some time (although no one knows for how long).

However, this young actor with unyielding faith, stubbornly adhering to the road of 'an actor', led the audience to see the 'Byung Hun Lee' who continues to become stronger and more refined as 'depth' called 'time' is added.

Acting that is Unique Only to Byung Hun Lee

Even until recently, the roles that Lee projected on screen, were mostly that of pure or strong spirited young man, which he continued (?) appeal from the time of his debut. However, the audience expected 'something different' from him, and was not attracted by Lee who demonstrated qualities that could easily be found in other actors. Now, at this point in time, when it is clear that he has secured a firm place for himself as an actor, what is it that the audience saw in him?

Year 1999. Regarding Lee's role in the movie "Harmonium in My Memory", many critics said that it opened their eyes to his acting. Regarding "JSA (Joint Security Area)", spot light tended to concentrate on other co-starring actors. Even though his acting was more than satisfactory...it failed to deeply touch, the hearts of the audience. Then, next year, the audience finally met him in "Bungee Jumping of Their Own...".

In "Bungee Jumping of Their Own" ...Byung Hun Lee had to play the role of middle-aged 'In-Woo Suh', who had to endure in his heart the confusing and desperate 'present', rather than a 'past' filled with innocence of youth. This role finally stamped him as a true 'actor' in the hearts of the audience. 'In-Woo Suh' was someone who could not be expressed by anyone else other than Byung Hun Lee.

Have You Seen Byung Hun Lee, The Actor?

Actors are said to create their own face through passage of time. A face created by the time he has passed and that he will pass, slowly. When we look back, nothing changes more drastically than the face of an actor. In this sense, 'time' can be a fatal 'poison' to actors but to those who continuously anguish over their acting ability, time can add 'depth' that they long for so much.

In this aspect, Lee is one of the few who has gained 'depth' through time. And finally, the audience has started to focus on this actor who has slowly been refined with time. As if this was only meant to be.

Some people say, without hesitation, that Byung Hun Lee has an uncanny talent of character expression that is difficult to find in other actors his age. Happily surprised by the unlimited possibilities of this young actor who demonstrates his versatile spirit on screen, they regret that they did not pay attention to this 'actor' in the 'past' and do not spare any praises for him. They also add that they were able to reflect upon the significance of 'passage of time' that seems to be the essential element for creating a true actor.

Hoping He Remains a Movie Actor

Byung Hun Lee himself has said that he wants to be called a 'movie actor'. However, going a step further, we do not wish for him to just remain as 'one of many actors'. Even though he is one of the many, there is only one 'Byung Hun Lee, the actor'.

He is still an incomplete actor, and is an actor endlessly trying to perfect his talents. However, as he has learnt 'self-control' and 'wisdom' through time, we hope that he will show the audience 'that something' which he will learn through time in the future.

As a final note, like my mother who boasts about the movies of Anthony Quinn, who provided her with so much enjoyment in her memories, I hope that, many days later, I will also be able to reminiscence that I lived in the same time frame and same space with an actor named Byung Hun Lee and about how I felt the beauty and pain of existence, happiness and tragedies of life, joys and pains of love, together with his movies.

I have confirmed the possibilities of a great actor that will shine forever, sealed in time.

Gratitude to PlanetBH0712

To read more on him
http://www.byunghunlee.pe.kr/index.html
PlanetBH0712 - English
Profile
Filmography
TV - Dramas that nurtured him
His Talents