Former U-KISS Member Lee Jun Young Shares Heartbreaking Comments He Faced Before Becoming a Top Netflix Actor

Actor Lee Jun-young, a former member of the K-pop group U-KISS, has opened up about the harsh treatment and deep emotional wounds he experienced during his early days as an idol-turned-actor. On May 20, 2026, a new episode of the popular YouTube interview series Guerrilla Ha Ji-young was released, featuring Lee Jun-young as he traveled to Myeongdong to meet global fans and reflect on his highly successful acting career.

The Harsh Reality Facing Idol-Turned-Actors

During a comfortable dinner segment with the host, Lee Jun-young looked back at his early career transitions while discussing his upcoming corporate drama, The New Employee, Chairman Kang, which premieres on May 30. Having debuted as a member of the boy group U-KISS in 2014 before making his official acting debut in 2017, he shocked the host by revealing the direct prejudice he faced from industry insiders during auditions.

“I was deeply hurt when people told me, ‘Do not cause trouble or get in the way of real actors who actually need to succeed,'” Lee Jun-young confessed. He explained that while the public assumes idol singers receive easy access to acting roles, the reality was entirely different. “People think idols get endless opportunities, but that is absolutely not true. I had to go to an incredible number of auditions. I started with tiny bit parts because I felt that if I gave up right there, I would just be a loser.”

He expressed massive gratitude toward senior idol-turned-actors like Im Si-wan and Doh Kyung-soo (EXO’s D.O.) for breaking barriers, adding, “I truly hope more talented idols get the chance to become actors in the future.” This dedication aligns with his recent official announcement on May 10, where he formally declared his permanent retirement as a solo singer to commit 100% of his future to professional acting.

From Flawless Actions to Claw Machines: A Multi-Faceted Star

Lee Jun-young has quickly established himself as a premier talent for major Netflix productions, playing intensely memorable villains and dark characters in hit series such as:

• D.P. (as Jung Hyun-min)
• Mask Girl (as Choi Bu-yong)
• Weak Hero Class 2 (as Geum Sung-je)

When asked about his most legendary action sequences, he selected his famous, complex one-take fight scene with actor Jung Hae-in in D.P. “Hae-in and I practiced and perfected that specific choreography for over six months,” he revealed, modestly adding that his years of intense K-pop dance training served as the foundational secret behind his sharp action acting skills.

Despite his terrifying and intimidating on-screen personas, Lee Jun-young revealed that he is actually a deeply introverted person who loves innocent hobbies like playing arcade claw machines. He shared a hilarious story about trying to disguise himself in public with a low hat and glasses, only to hear crowds whispering his Weak Hero character’s name, “Geum Sung-je, Geum Sung-je.” He laughed as he noted, “I was spotted carrying a giant stuffed animal through the streets, and my agency literally had to make a new company rule telling me to only go to claw machines if my manager accompanies me!”