Lee Seung-gi Returns To Singapore For "The Dreamer's Dream - Chapter 2" Concert And Fan-Meet

The South Korean heartthrob looks back on two decades of his career.

By Gloria Tso - published 19 Jun 2023

Korean superstar Lee Seung-gi has long been a household name across Asia. But you wouldn't know that upon meeting the humble actor, comedian and singer, whose signature grin immediately puts one at ease. Indeed, this familiarity about him - hundreds of thousands have grown up watching his variety show stints and concerts on television over the past two decades - lends him an aura which makes you think he might just be your average, yet devilishly handsome, boy next door.

This friendliness was ever-present in our recent interview with the entertainment legend, who kindly took time out of his busy promotions schedule for "The Dreamer's Dream - Chapter 2" - a concert tour which brings Lee back to our sunny shores to celebrate two decades in the industry. Ahead, Lee tells BAZAAR everything he's learned throughout his storied career, and reflects on his most precious projects and memories over the years.

You’ll soon be hitting the 20th anniversary of your debut. How do you feel you’ve changed over the course of your career?

Next year is the 20^th anniversary – when I was a rookie, I looked up to my seniors who reached their 20^th anniversary, and I thought by the time I reach that point, I would know everything. As I’m reaching it, I know that that’s not true. I actually feel like it’s a time to restart. Whenever I start or attend a programme, there’s so many things to think about and be concerned with. On top of that, that just reminds me how precious and valuable the opportunity is. So, it’s a time of a lot of thinking, but at the same time, a lot of gratitude.

What lessons have you learned? How have your goals changed?

Previously, I tried to avoid any kind of mistakes or failures. But now, what I’m trying to do is not to avoid the failures, but instead embrace it, accept more challenges and not be afraid of it. If there are any mistakes, then I’ll try to learn from it and make it into a lesson so I can become a better person. I want to do what makes me happy, and portray that happiness through the programme, which will impact how I choose programmes. Previously, I focused more on doing what I needed to do. But now, I have a choice, I will do what makes me happy and bring the emotions to the people that watch me.

What’s been your favourite project to work on?

It’s really hard to choose one, but lately and currently – doing the Asia live tour are the happiest things that I feel. From this happiness and energy I get from the Asia tour, I want to prepare my 20^th anniversary album.

Related article: Best SEVENTEEN Songs You Should Know About

Who have you most enjoyed working with?

Too many. If I choose one person, other people might not be happy about it, so it’s really hard to choose.

What projects can we expect from you in the near future?

First of all, next year, there is a new movie called “About Family” where I will be the chief monk. So that is one thing that everyone should be excited about. Of course there are more things coming up, but it is not confirmed yet. Once it is, I’ll share with you.

What do you love most about your Singapore fans in particular? Any special message for them?

To all my Singapore Airen, they are always excited whenever I do a drama. One thing that I remember is that they really love this drama called The Law Cafe. That’s why, in the future, I’m excited to come back with a drama that Singaporean fans can enjoy and love together.

Lastly, what hopes do you have for the future of your career?

Currently, I’m already operating a business on my own, so from this agency, I’m just thinking about how to make Lee Seung-gi as content and come up with some of the new programmes that people can enjoy together, so that’s one thing. And on top of that, another bigger dream is to make this agency and my business into a Korean representative agency where everyone will get to know about it. So in order to do that, I’m planning to release more programmes and productions to achieve that dream, but this is a long-term dream that I have.