“Goblin” Bromance Comes to Real Life on “Because I Want To Talk”

By Jae-Ha Kim
Kocowa.com
December 2, 2019

Pssssst! Lee Dong-Wook wants to talk. Are you going to listen? If you’re anything like me, of course you are!

The A-list actor, whose credits include “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” (also known as “Goblin”), “Partner” and “Touch Your Heart” — which featured his “Goblin” co-star Yoo In-Na (“My Love From the Star“) — is a natural when it comes to variety shows, with multiple appearances on “Running Man” under his belt.

And now he has his own series, “Because I Want to Talk,” where his first guest will be none other than his good friend Gong Yoo (“Coffee Prince,” “Big“).

The debut (December 4 at 10 p.m. KST) promises to be a lot of fun, with the two best friends joking around a lot and teasing each other with anecdotes about their much-discussed bromance in “Goblin.” They also take a road trip to Jeju Island to go fishing.

And then they sit down for an interview in front of an audience in Seoul. As can be expected, the crowd goes wild when Gong Yoo makes his appearance. Pretending to be unaware of his friend’s popularity, Lee wonders why Gong Yoo is so beloved.

“I’m good looking,” he answers, pretending to be serious. “I make clothes look good. It’s a win win.”

Though the guests will change every week, the show’s regulars will include comedian Jang Do-Yeon and Jo Jung-Sik, who’ll help facilitate the fun.

Jang got down to business in the premiere, asking questions about the heartthrobs’ love lives. Well, she was slightly more subtle. After asking if either had ever been on a blinddate, she said she’d set them up…with herself. They do a cute role play, with Jang dismissing Gong Yoo’s safe answers.

According to Lee’s talent agency, King Kong, this SBS talk show is something that the actor had been excited about for quite a while:

“From a long time ago, Lee Dong Wook has consistently expressed a desire to host a talk show. He plans to show many different sides of himself [through the upcoming show], so we ask that you show a lot of love and interest.”

Lee, whose last last K-Drama was “Strangers from Hell,” is celebrating his 20th year in the entertainment business. He held a fan meeting last month, where he offered hints about “Because I Want to Talk.”

A few facts about Lee Dong-Wook:

Born: November 6, 1981

Debut: He made his acting debut in 1999. He was an extra in “Coaching.” He landed a bigger role that year in “School 2.”

Military Duty: He served his mandatory military duty from August 2009 to June 2011.

Olympics: At the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea, Lee was selected as the honorary ambassador.

A few facts about Gong Yoo:

Born: July 10, 1979 as Gong Ji-Cheol

Debut: He made his acting debut in 2004’s “School 4.”

Military Duty: He served his mandatory military duty from January 2008 to December 2009.

Notable films: “Train to Busan,” “Kim Ji-Young, Born in ’82” and “Silenced.” Based on the real-life sexual assaults of deaf children at a South Korean school for the hearing impaired, “Silenced” brought attention to how abusive faculty members got off with little to no punishment. Public outrage reached the South Korean National Assembly, where the Dogani Bill was passed to abolish statute of limitations for sex crimes against the disabled and/or minors.

You can watch “Because I Want to Talk,” as well as K-Dramas featuring Lee Dong-Wook and Gong Yoo, by subscribing to KOCOWA.

Be sure to follow @GoAwayWithJae, where I tweet about all things Korean.🇰🇷