Today, we are sending off Royal Secret Agent, and the last of the interviews shared by iQIYI – features the versatile actor Lee Yi Kyung.
Set during the time of Joseon era, the iQiyi original and exclusive K-drama series Royal Secret Agent follows the story of a delinquent gambler who was assigned to work as a secret inspector as a form of punishment.
The show premiered on iQIYI in December 2020 and has since enjoyed a good following among K-drama fans. In Korea, one of its latest episodes rated 9.7%, setting a personal best for the show.
Lee Yi Kyung, who portrays the role of Chun-sam, provided comic relief and amazing synergy with Sung Yi-gyeom (Kim Myung Soo) and Hong Da-in (Kwon Nara) as members of royal secret agents. Appointed by the King to eradicate corruption, they round up wicked government officials.
On Portraying Chun-sam
Revealing the greatest attraction of Royal Secret Agent for him is its message of “encouraging good and punishing evil”, Lee Yi Kyung remarked he enjoyed reading the script.
He described it as a comprehensive gift set with romance, crime and comedy elements which brings a refreshing excitement while solving the cases.
For his role Chun-sam, Lee felt grateful and honored to act in a historical series. He has high regard being in a period drama depicting his ancestors way of life. Playing the role of a faithful slave, he honestly confessed the hardest part was playing his role wearing straw shoes while filming during cold winter days.
He also had a hard time picking his favorite scene and gives an answer showing love to fellow actors.
“The chemistry of the three royal secret agent team members is improving day by
day, so it is hard to pick only one scene. When we three act, we are alive than the script and made somehow excessive adlibs to make the scene more interesting. If the scene contains the chemistry of three members, you can’t help but love all of the scenes.”
Chronicling his preparations for the role, he revealed gaining 10kg and painted his character in a little crude swag and slightly flippant tone. Aiming to show cute charm to gain points from the viewers, his chatty image in Royal Secret Agent is different from his real life.
“I have strong leadership when I’m with my friends, but I tend to think a lot when I talk about things because I’m a bit shy.
Chameleon Actor Lee Yi Kyung
Shaping to be a bankable character actor, Lee Yi Kyung is lauded for his serious and comical roles. He was asked which he preferred and gave a sound response. He shared how working on comedy makes him crave for serious acting and vice versa.
“I think it’s a good thing to broaden my acting spectrum and challenge myself without being biased towards one role,” he added.
When asked if his comical role in the series transcends to real life, his answer is quite interesting.
“I’m usually careful and quiet. However, when I act on a character, I try to overdo it and lead the atmosphere. When acting as a comical character, it can be expressed as starting up the engine. I want to play a character that can reflect my true self someday.”
On His Bromance With Kim Myung Soo
Acknowledging the viewers rooted for his bromance with Kim Myung Soo in the series, he expressed how impressed he was with his fellow actor.
“The more I acted with actor Kim Myung-soo, the more I’m surprised. Not only does he work hard, but he is also an actor who makes the other person comfortable. He is a considerate and wonderful actor who completes the scene by keeping his role
accurately.
Through his role, he also channeled a virtue he want to emphasized on while playing Chun-sam the faithful slave.
“I think loyalty is the most important thing. I think it is difficult to form a deep relationship without loyalty.”
On His Goals As An Actor
Reckoning what led him to aspire a career as an actor, Lee Yi Kyung recounted watching the drama Iris when he was doing his military service made him happy. From there, he began his journey and entered Seoul Institute of Arts.
He said, “After entering Seoul Institute of the Arts, I began to understand
acting more deeply as I entered the theater, and I am still learning by acting. I always get inspiration from my fellow actors.”
Expounding on the most difficult and satisfying aspect of being an actor, he honestly replied positive viewers’ reactions matter.
Ever the optimistic, he wants to be motivated in pushing forward.
“It seems that I haven’t felt a feeling of collapse in my acting career yet. The motivation to continue is to be positive day by day and to try to make your body accustomed to the habit of working hard in everything. I think the strength to strive for working hard will be generated like inertia while acting.
Royal Secret Agent achieved impressed following to global fans through iQIYI and Lee Yi Kyung’s hope of the historical drama being known for amazing story was definitely realized.
He left warm words to global fans who supported the series.
“Hi, I’m Lee Yi-kyung. Thank you for loving Park Chun-sam in Royal Secret Agent. As an actor, I will work hard to show you good acting and become an actor capable of repaying your love. Please continue to watch us, and please pay a lot of attention until the end of the series. I love you.”
About iQIYI PH
Viewers can access the series on iQiyi International’s website iQ.com or on the platform’s free mobile application that can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Fans can also take advantage of the limited time offer of 50% off on Standard and Premium VIP annual membership from February 9-14, 2021. For as low as Php499, watch your favorite shows in 1080p, dolby atmos sound on your mobile devices, ad-free.
About iQiyi International
Headquartered in Singapore, iQiyi International is an on-demand video streaming serviceproviding beloved pan-Asian entertainment to international viewers. Offering both ad-supported and VIP subscription services, iQiyi International delivers premium drama series, movies, variety shows, and anime; with local languages and subtitles; powered by cutting-edge technology.
PR Source | Photos: iQIYI
