The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won scored people’s hearts – including Joo Sang Wook’s – even after its past animal abuse issue.
Premiered in December 2021, The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won ended its stint in the most impressive way by having average viewership ratings of 10 percent – with the highest rating at 11.7 percent.
The first sageuk under KBS in five years explores the life of King Taejong, whose real name is Lee Bang Won, as he helps his father take over the Goryeo Dynasty and start the Joseon Dynasty.
Despite the promising spotlight, the K-drama attracted condemnation due to an animal abuse incident on its set. Setting it aside, the series’ main star, Joo Sang Wook, praised the K-drama for being a memorable project for him and his co-stars.
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Joo Sang Wook Comments on The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won
Actor Joo Sang Wook sat for an interview weeks after the series concluded. He confidently described the drama as a new start of his career as he thinks that the project is the middle between his younger and older self.
Since it is the end of his youth and the start of his older image, he sees it as a memorable K-drama he luckily became part of.
He also got the chance to work with younger actors – Lee Tae Ri and Kim Min Ki – in the drama.
“With regards to Tae Ri, his acting is close to a perfectionist. He doesn’t make a single blooper. It’s to the point where I wonder how diligently he prepared. Since he’s so good at acting and has been doing it for so long,” he said.
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Joo Sang Wook recalled the first time he saw Kim Min Ki, saying that he did not see him again after filming the prologue. From being a nervous actor, Kim Min Ki reportedly grew immediately through The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won.
In the end, he left his young co-star helpful advice, saying that he would surely do well in the acting industry. Joo Sang Wook also playfully asked him not to forget him when he becomes successful.
Joo Sang Wook Addresses The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won Issue
Elsewhere in the interview, the actor broke his silence on the drama’s animal abuse controversy.
For what it’s worth, KBS issued an apology after a horse died following an injury on the drama’s set. Several celebrities and the Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA) criticized the set and spoke up about animal abuse.
“My heart hurt. There was a lot of heartache. Even though I wasn’t directly connected, as a lead actor, you can’t say I didn’t have any responsibility. Everyone feels sorry,” he said.
In the end, they showed how sorry they are – and they received a positive response from the viewers in the final episode.
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