INTERVIEW: ‘light on me’ actor Lee Sae On opens up about his role and filming during COVID-19
“Light on Me” captured the hearts of many viewers with its young and dynamic cast. In this week’s edition of our interview with the cast. We hear what Lee Sae On (Woo Tae Kyung) had to say about preparing for his role and his favourite scene from the drama.
Lee Sae On’s Instagram
To the viewer who hasn’t watched “Light on Me” yet, who is Lee Sae On.
Hello, I’m Lee Sae On an actor who plays the role of Woo Tae Kyung, a temporary member of the student council in the drama “Light on Me”.
KokTV’s Instagram
What were some of the difficulties of filming during the pandemic?
Actually, I think the staff must have had a harder time than the actors. It must have been very difficult because they had to follow the quarantine rules and couldn't even take off their masks throughout the filming. We couldn't have a wrap-up party and couldn't watch the last episode together. I think these things were very disappointing.
Lee Sae On, your character Woo Tae Kyung starts off very socially awkward in that he doesn’t see the need to make friends, yet he is one of the few people who are honest with himself in terms of who he is and his feelings. Do you think his feelings towards Shin Da On were real or he only felt that way because Shin Da On was very nice towards him and welcoming of him as a new member?
Woo Tae Kyung, did not feel the need or importance of having friends, but at some point he thought that he shouldn’t be like that, so he joined the student council on recommendation of Teacher Seo Haet Bit. It was there that he got to know President Shin Da On, and I don't think he just felt emotions because Shin Da On was kind and welcoming to Tae Kyung. Although the president [Shin Da On] does his best to take care of not only Tae Kyung but also of his friends, he did not give love to himself and was too cold-hearted towards himself, so Tae Kyung felt sorry for him. It made his heart flutter, and I think that's why he came to like President Shin Da On. I think Woo Tae Kyung’s feelings for Shin Da On in the drama were true.
KokTV’s Instagram
You killed your role on the show, what went into preparing for the show?
First of all, I am the opposite to Woo Tae Kyung, who is a voluntary outsider without friends. I thought of characters who were introverted because I had a lot of friends and was an active student. In order to become Tae Kyung, I tried to make my movements and tone look very frustrating to become an outsider and I think I did. Since the genre is BL, I also watched a lot of works that could help and because it's a high school role, I recalled a lot about myself in high school and took notes as the thoughts came back and remembered memories from that time.
Picture supplied by WhyNot
Do you have any favourite scenes from the drama series?
Personally, I like too many scenes, but on a rainy day at the park, I said to President Shin Da On, “You can lean on me. You can do that”. I also think the scene where he said “Hyung,” was really good personally.
KokTv’s Instagram
We live in a world that is still not very accepting, to a young fan who might be going through bullying because of who they like, what do you want them to take away from the show and the character you played on the show?
I want you to be a more confident and honest person. Personally, it's a cold statement, but I really hope lonely friends facing difficulty will overcome it. There were a lot of difficult things for me too, but looking back, as I overcame them and grew up, I think I gained a lot of things that no one else had. It may be difficult, but it doesn't matter whether you borrow the power of the people around you or change yourself, as long as you overcome it, I think you will feel like "It was really nothing." or “It really didn't matter”. I hope you all think positively, cheer up, stay strong and healthy.
KokTv’s Instagram
With the great reception of your characters on “Light on Me” and the success of the show in general, are we getting a second season? and what other characters would you like to play in the future?
It has not been decided and is a future that no one knows. Haha. What if we do it? Since Woo Tae Kyung became an adult, it would be fun to play Woo Tae Kyung who is more mature and not an outsider pretending to be an insider.
Lee Sae On’s Instagram
Long term what do you hope to achieve in your career?
I want to be an actor who is praised with words like “only actor Lee Sae On can play any character in any work”. Because there are a lot of cool, good and great actors in the world, I think I can survive only when I become an actor with something unique. I will do my best, so please show me a lot of support. Thank you.
To someone who is just starting in the entertainment industry, what would you tell them?
It's going to be a tough job if you're not really happy. So, if you enjoy it, work hard with a positive mind and always prepare well. Even if it is difficult now, if you persevere and endure it, I think you will become a shining star someday. I am still lacking a lot, so how dare I say this? Cheer up!!!
