• Lee Jung Jae Shares Challenges of Filming 'Acolyte': "Practiced English Until My Tongue Hurt"

    Actor Lee Jung Jae, who recently joined the Star Wars universe with the Disney+ drama 'Acolyte', spilled some behind-the-scenes details about the filming process.

    Appearing as a guest on Sung Si-kyung's YouTube channel, Lee Jung Jae revealed, "We shot the 8 episodes of 'Acolyte' over a period of 8 months."

    He explained that he dedicated two months before filming to practice martial arts and study English, as there were many English lines in the series.

    When Sung Si-kyung complimented his English skills after watching the trailer,Lee Jung Jae humbly responded, "I'm embarrassed. I'm not that good at English."

    Asked about his English practice routine, Lee Jung Jae mentioned, "We had four dialogue coaches, and we practiced together every day."

    He emphasized that the focus was more on pronunciation than emotions, with coaches encouraging him to discuss emotional nuances directly with the director.

    Lee Jung Jae described the intensity of his English practice, saying, "As I kept correcting my pronunciation and rehearsing with coaches, my tongue got so worn out that it was difficult to eat. Even when I slept, I had to whisper when I woke up." This revelation surprised Sung Si-kyung.

    Admiring Lee Jung Jae's dedication, Sung Si-kyung remarked, "No pain, no gain. Didn't the production crew praise you for your hard work?"

    However, Lee Jung Jae expressed his nervousness, saying, "While the director and staff praised me, what matters most is the audience's response."

    Meanwhile, 'Acolyte' is a mystery action thriller set in the golden age of the Jedi Knights, unraveling an unprecedented Jedi serial murder case and the emergence of a dark force hidden within the secrets of the era.

    Source(1)

  • Lee Kyung Gyu secretly helped Hong Jin Kyung debut on TV and she didn’t even know for years

    Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

    On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

    Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

    Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

    Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

    She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

    She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

    Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

    Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

    He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

    He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

    Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

    That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

    He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

    Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

    Source: [1]