[FLNK MAGAZINE] Interview with Lee Sang Yi
This is about what made Lee Sang Yi and what he's currently creating in his life.
Q. We requested a simple white T-shirt and jeans for today’s shoot, and we were delighted that you brought your own clothes.
The white T-shirt and jeans are the most basic style, right? So I thought the fit would be the most important thing. Instead of something tight that shows my figure, I went for something a bit loose, similar to what I usually wear. Also, when I saw the concept, with freckles and a youthful vibe, I felt like it wouldn’t suit me because I’ve tanned too much from filming lately. That’s why I brought a long-sleeve shirt too, but I think the short-sleeve one looks better.
Q. Let's talk about your boyhood.
My cousin, who was like a guardian to me, is a flight attendant. She would bring me overseas albums whenever she returned from her flights. I grew up listening to those albums a lot, including Japanese bands like X Japan, GLAY, LUNA SEA, and L'Arc~en~Ciel. I also listened to Britpop a lot with my older brother and learned to play the guitar from him. If you look at pictures from my childhood, you'll see many of me playing with various instruments. I think my interest in music and dance began back then, and that's probably why I am where I am today.
Q. It seems like you’re quite close with your brother.
He’s basically my closest friend and has had the most influence on me. I inherited a lot of my music taste from him, so whenever he says, “Hey, listen to this song,” I check it out. We also attend music festivals together. Most of the photos on my Instagram are either taken by my agency’s PR team or by him. Even my current profile picture is a childhood photo with him; we decided to use that photo for both of our profiles.
Q. In the drama <No Gain No Love>, the character Bok Gyu-Hyeon doesn’t believe in fateful love but ends up falling in love by accident. Have you ever experienced a shift in your beliefs like him?
My perfectionist tendencies were completely broken while working. I participated in the musical <A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder>, which required a lot of improvisation and quick thinking. As I made many mistakes and faced various unexpected situations during the performances, I realized that “nothing in this world is perfect” and that “just being alive is enough.” Accepting that perfection is unattainable has made me more relaxed and flexible.
Q. You’ve been involved in many projects. How do you switch between characters when filming or performing multiple projects with overlapping schedules?
There are various methods for acting training, but I learned a lot about physical transformation in school. Instead of focusing solely on the emotional aspects, I concentrate on the physical state that reflects those emotions. For instance, if the character is always angry, I might use heavy breathing and tense my body. For a more relaxed character, I stay loose and calm. Understanding these physical traits helps. With consistent training and practice, switching between characters becomes easier. It’s similar to how painters can create a masterpiece in just minutes after years of practice—it's like they say, “I’ve been painting for 20 years to be able to do this quickly.”
Q. Given your busy schedule, I'm curious about how you manage your time.
Managing time in this world of dopamine can be quite challenging. (Laughs) I watched a YouTube video about a timer used at Google and decided to get one myself. Whenever I have tasks to complete, I make sure to use that timer. It seems that having a concrete goal helps me stay on track. It’s tough to stay motivated with vague goals like "I should learn English" or "I should exercise." But if I set a specific task, like reading a script for 50 minutes, it becomes much more manageable. Even with exercise, setting a timer for one hour helps me stay committed. By making this a habit, I’ve developed my own effective time management system.
Q. When are your favorite moments aside from acting?
I love spending time alone at home, creating and decorating things with my hands. Recently, I visited a plant market, bought a few items, repotted my plants, and made wooden plant arrangements(목부작), which helped me relieve stress. I also enjoy assembling IKEA furniture or rearranging it. That’s how I usually spend my time when I’m not working. Since meeting people and constantly thinking about lines drains my energy, I find these moments crucial for recharging.
Q. Have you ever been a fan of someone?
Absolutely. I was a fan of Rain (Bi) and X Japan. I have a lot of their CDs at home. The first song that stuck with me like a bolt of lightning when I was young, was a song by X Japan. It was my first memory of rock, and the feeling I had when I heard that song is still vivid. As for Rain, I was captivated by how cool he looked dancing with such a powerful physique, and I think that intense memory of admiration still lingers.
Q. You've been using Bubble for over a year and recently opened your b.stage. What does it mean to you, to communicate with your fans in an exclusive space?
The main thing in Bubble may be text messaging, but I prefer voice calls, so I go on once a week to do voice live sessions. I chat for about an hour, like a radio show. It made me quite comfortable with the fans. I was initially cautious because I hadn’t done it before, but it turned out to be fun. That's why I started b.stage as well. I think the most enjoyable part is that it’s like private conversations, talking about our own little things. We talk about the latest broadcast I was in, like “Did you guys watch it? I did it.” It’s not a big thing, but I like it. I’m going to share what happened during today’s shoot, like showing pictures and chatting about them. I really want to keep this kind of communication and interaction going.
Q. FLNK combines FAN and LINK, and it’s a platform that connects fans and artists. How would you like to connect with fans in the future?
As I get closer to my fans, it feels like we’re creating small, shared memories. It’s like saying, “Hey, if you’re like-minded, come hang out with us!” I want this to continue for a long time, and I hope we keep growing together, staying close and having fun.
Do you want to communicate with Lee Sang Yi?
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Credit.
Artist: Lee Sang Yi
Editor : Seungmin Lee
Photographer : Woosuk Roh
Visual Director : KIM SEUNG EUN
Content Marketer : JIAE JUNG
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