Surviving in a cutthroat entertainment industry like Korea’s is never an easy feat, but Lee Seunggi is one of the few Korean celebrities who has managed to do so. For almost the past two decades, he has cemented his name as a reputable singer, actor, and host, and won honourable awards that inspire young hopefuls.
If this is your first time hearing about the 36-year-old artiste, below are 15 interesting facts about him.
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Unlike how most K-pop idols these days are discovered through auditions, Lee Seunggi was scouted by veteran Korean singer Lee Sunhee when he was performing with his school band as the lead singer in a theatre.
While he originally rejected the idea of becoming a singer to concentrate on his studies as a 15-year-old, his mother persuaded him to try it out because she was a huge fan of Lee Sunhee. Later, he underwent training for two years, and debuted at the young age of 17.
Since then, he has released many albums with hit songs such as “Will you marry me?”, and his most recent album was back in 2020.
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Lee Seunggi didn’t earn his title of being a triple threat for no reason. He is also a skilled actor who rose to fame thanks to his appearance in popular K-dramas such as My Girlfriend is a Gumiho in 2010 alongside Korean actress Shim Minah, and Vagabond in 2019 with Bae Suzy.
The most recent K-drama he acted in was The Law Cafe in 2022.
Almost a decade ago when Korean celebrities’ dating news was still considered taboo, Korean media Dispatch published an exclusive report that featured the romantic relationship of Lee Seunggi and Girls’ Generation’s Yoona.
The announcement did not come as a huge surprise for many fans since Lee Seunggi had previously mentioned on a talk show that his ideal type was Yoona.
However, after admitting their relationship, the couple broke up after a year of dating.
Lee Seunggi is no doubt a person hard to come by. On top of his handsome looks and talented skills, he also possesses a heart of gold.
Since 2009, he has been donating regularly to organisations that aid those in need such as the Seoul National University Children’s Hospital. His generous contribution of KRW$2 billion (~S$2 million) to the hospital has greatly improved the medical environment for young patients, earning him the admiration of many Koreans.
If that isn’t impressive enough, he even donated the earnings that his former company owed him, amounting to KRW$5.4 billion (~S$ 5 million), to support the less fortunate.
For many Singaporeans, entering the workforce after receiving a Bachelor’s degree is the norm, and pursuing a Master’s degree is uncommon unless it is required. However, it wasn’t the case for Lee Seunggi.
After completing his undergraduate as an International Trade and Commerce major at Dongguk University, he furthered his studies by completing two Master’s degrees in Marketing, Trade Theory, Finance, and Media Cultural Content. Just imagine how difficult it was for Lee Seunggi to juggle between work and studies, considering the fact that he is one of the most sought-after celebrities.
Nonetheless, his curious and hardworking nature inspires others to strive for the best.
Sorry ladies, but Lee Seunggi tied the knot earlier this year with actress Lee Dain. The two dated for more than two years before getting married, and they held their wedding at Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas Hotel in Gangnam.
For the unacquainted, the venue is one of the most lavish places in Korea to hold a wedding ceremony. A Korean media also estimated that the couple would have spent at least KRW$100 million (~S$100,000).
Since both Lee Seunggi and Lee Dain have been working in the entertainment industry for a long time, it is not surprising that their guests included A-list celebrities like Lee Dongwook, Bae Suzy, Yoo Jaesuk, and members of K-pop groups like Seventeen.
It was also reported that the wedding was attended by more than 700 guests.
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Throughout Lee Seunggi’s career, he never once had any scandal that dampened his reputation. But, when he first announced his relationship with his then-girlfriend Lee Dain, he received mixed reactions from netizens due to her family’s alleged involvement in a controversy related to stock manipulation.
Now that they are married, some netizens fear that their relationship would “ruin” his clean image. A few of them even left unpleasant comments on his social media.
However, being the person he is, Lee Seunggi wrote a lengthy post on social media, defending his wife and parents-in-law from the allegations.
Chances are, no one would ever want to be engaged in a lawsuit, and most of us would do our best to avoid it. However, Lee Seunggi found himself in a situation where he had no choice but to take legal action against his former company Hook Entertainment.
In late 2022, he filed a lawsuit against his agency after it was revealed that the CEO and board of directors had embezzled funds, and underpaid him for at least 18 years. According to several media outlets, Lee Seunggi was missing music fees and other advertising expenses, which amounted to KRW$5.4 billion (~S$5.4 million). Yikes.
The last time Lee Seunggi visited Singapore to meet his fans was almost four years ago.
Come 14 June 2023, he will be reuniting with his fans at the Resorts World Convention Centre in Sentosa as part of his Singapore stop for his Asia tour The Dreamer’s Dream ‒ Chapter 2.
Fans can look forward to interactive activities such as a soundcheck party and the opportunity to receive gifts personally from Lee Seunggi. Apart from Singapore, he will also visit other countries such as Indonesia and Thailand. Tickets are available via Sistic.
The level of dedication and sincerity Lee Seunggi displays in his work makes you wonder if he is even real. During the filming of Little Forest, a variety show that features childcare services in a natural setting, he went the extra mile by getting certified as a child counsellor.
When asked about his efforts, he simply expressed his curiosity about the challenges of taking care of a child and wanted to learn more about child psychology, in case he has kids in the future.
You’re not alone if you thought Lee Seunggi was making a bald statement when he shaved his hair in December 2022. Some people speculated that his move was due to his feud with his previous company, but he clarified during his acceptance speech at KBS Drama Awards 2022 that it was no such thing.
Instead, he had shaved his head for his role as a monk in an upcoming movie that he was portraying.
Since the Olympics only happen once every four years, it is not every day that you get to represent your country as a torch bearer.
Lee Seunggi was selected by Samsung as an honourable representative for the 2012 London Summer Olympics because they felt that he is a “beloved star at home and abroad”.
At this point, you might be wondering what Lee Seunggi can’t do. It turns out that he is also blessed in language proficiency because he knows Korean, Japanese, and English.
The trilingual artiste mentioned previously that he has been studying languages since he was a student. Mad respect.
Dripping with charisma just like its owner, Perro is Lee Seunggi’s handsome Shiba Inu, who is currently about four years old as of the time of writing. It made its first on-screen appearance when Lee Seunggi brought it along to the filming of the variety show Master In The House.
Staying humble as a top celebrity is never easy, but Lee Seunggi has proven that he is capable of doing so. Despite the challenges that he has faced in recent years, he shows that he is able to tide through the rough times, and continue to work towards his best self.
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