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| Actor Lee Jun-young played the lead in the MBC series, "May I Help You." Courtesy of MBC |
By Lee Gyu-lee
Actor Lee Jun-young shared his lingering feelings toward his recent MBC series, "May I Help You," which wrapped up on Thursday, saying he was moved by its realistic, heartfelt story.
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| Actor Lee Jun-young / Courtesy of JFlex Entertainment |
The 16-part, emotional romance series revolves around a funeral director, Baek Dong-ju (Lee Hye-ri), who has the supernatural power to see dead people. One day, she encounters a carefree, errand service agent, Kim Jib-sa (Lee Jun-young).
Joining hands, the two use Dong-ju's skill to communicate with deceased clients and help grant their last wishes as they prepare for their funerals.
The series explores different heartfelt stories of the deceased, like a father hoping to see his lost son for the last time.
Lee Jun-young said that the filming for the series was an emotional journey.
"This was the most heartwarming series (I've done). Everyone was just so caring and sympathetic to one another. We had such good chemistry. I feel like I'll never forget this experience," he said.
"When we filmed the last scene, I burst into tears. Everyone did. It was the first time that everyone cried, even the director and Lee Hye-ri."
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| A scene from the series, "May I Help You" / Courtesy of MBC |
The actor played the role of Kim Jib-sa, whose real name is Tae-hee. He used to be a doctor but left his job after failing to save his little brother. He has been trying to cover his traumatic past with an easygoing, spirited persona, but as he helps Dong-ju, he comes to face his past and move on.
Lee said that it was hard for him to separate himself from the character and his emotional past. "I had to see the story from Tae-hee's perspective, but I kept showing my real emotion as Lee Jun-young. So I would tear up in the scenes where I'm not supposed to cry. I had to get myself straight to focus," he said.
He added that the series has given him a new aspect of death and drew him to feel closer to his family.
"Before, death felt like it meant 'the end' and 'fearful,' but I've realized death isn't the end. I liked how the scenes at the funeral showed people left behind trying to get back on their feet. I've become more sentimental since working on this series," he said.
"I've grown fonder of my family. Until now, I've been an immature, unlikeable son. But through this series, I came to be able to share my honest feelings with them. Now I call them more often."
The actor shared that he learned a lot from his co-star, Lee Hye-ri.
"Because I had so many emotional scenes, it was hard. And the director and Hye-ri helped me out in that part … I've had more discussions (with the director and co-actors) throughout this series than in any other previous series," he said.
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