An American reporter has gone viral on social media for asking Lee Jung-jae an awkward question about his fame following the international success of the Netflix show “Squid Game.”
The moment: Lee, 48, was attending the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles on Nov. 10 to promote “Squid Game” when he was approached by “Extra” reporter Katie Krause.
- “I’m sure you can’t leave the house anymore without people recognizing you. What has been the biggest life change for you since the series came out?” the interviewer asked, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Lee has been a star in South Korea for decades.
“For you, I’m sure you can’t leave the house anymore without people recognizing you. What has been the biggest life change for you since the series came out?”🤡
OH THE CRINGE pic.twitter.com/Z9h35yDWxG— Fel (@Fel_Space) November 10, 2021
- “Yeah, you are right, indeed. The biggest change has to be that I’m so recognized by everybody everywhere,” the actor replied through an interpreter. “That is, in the United States, at that.”
- “When I would go to restaurants, out on the streets, I get recognized by so many people. Sometimes, when they are staring at me, I get startled and think, ‘Why are they looking at me like that?’ he added. “But then when our eyes meet, they would instantly talk about ‘Squid Game.’ Those are the moments when I truly feel like we really did make it big.”
Reaction: Many social media users took to Twitter to criticize the reporter for her question.
“IN AMERICA”
Super cringe. Lee Jung Jae has been a star for over two decades in Korea. Just because he is Hollywood famous now, does not mean he was not uber famous before 🙄 https://t.co/Pg6ddUrCnL— Maggie Kang (@maggiemkang) November 10, 2021
America loves thinking just because THEY just discovered Lee Jung Jae, it must be his break through performance. Man’s BEEN successful, put some respect on his name. America is NOT the standard. The ONLY breakthrough act excited to be seen is Ho Yoen. Simmer down. pic.twitter.com/KIkxClOBE7
— Kdramalama (@kdramalama) November 11, 2021
lmaoooo he’s THE lee jungjae..he’s been a top star since 90s…he experienced all that way before squid game 😭😭 https://t.co/JfINOjNtpl
— 알린 🏸 (@allynsays) November 10, 2021
Many thought this question was insensible and disrespectful….Lee Jung Jae a star since the 90s…Netizens criticized that the reporter would have been aware of this fact if she had done a little bit of research before the interview. #facts #LeeJungJae #SquidGame via @allkpop https://t.co/9noEVdZ3kd
— Sandra Choute (@geekchic9) November 10, 2021
Lee Jung jae is a top star in Korea.
His popularity is not sudden to him.
It’s such a Hollywood-centered question. #squidgame https://t.co/3rP0C16BSR— oreocheesecake (@kikzsk) November 11, 2021
I just like how lee jung jae just smiles when the translator got to the part where “you can’t leave the house without anyone recognizing you NOW” acknowledging how ridiculous it sounds and then proceeded to emphasize “yes, in AMERICA”
He answered with such sass and grace 👏 https://t.co/zA0RcyLPEJ— Megumi (@MegumiChan00) November 10, 2021
About Lee Jung-jae: The actor made his acting debut in the 1993 TV drama “Dinosaur Teacher” after two years of modeling, according to South China Morning Post. He was reportedly scouted while working at a coffee shop in Seoul.
- At 21 years old, Lee won best newcomer awards at three of South Korea’s most prestigious award shows: the Blue Dragon Film Awards, the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Grand Bell Awards.
- His other acting credits include “Deliver Us from Evil” (2020) and “The Thieves” (2012). His 2000 film “Il Mare” was remade by Hollywood in 2006 and titled “The Lake House,” starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, according to Metro Style.
Featured Image via extratv
