Actress Lee Joo-bin climbed from years of obscurity to leading roles — yet she candidly revealed the lingering anxiety and burnout she still can’t shake.
On the latest episode of the SBS variety show Beomnyun Road — The Monk and the Guest, the cast embarked on a journey to Bodh Gaya, India, opening up with raw, heartfelt stories. During a train ride, Lee sat down for a one-on-one conversation with Ven. Beomnyun, reflecting on her past and present.
Lee shared that at 21, her family emigrated to the United States, leaving her to continue life alone in Korea. She spent roughly a decade as an unknown actor, failing countless auditions but refusing to give up. “I endured by telling myself I’d do just one project and then quit,” she recalled. “It wasn’t until I turned 30 that I could finally start acting in earnest.”
Even after finally landing lead roles, fulfillment didn’t come easily. “I don’t have to worry about rent or living expenses anymore, but the satisfaction and stability I vaguely dreamed of never really arrived,” she admitted. “I hit burnout while not even knowing what would make me happy.”
Ven. Beomnyun offered grounded, practical advice. He noted, “People think there’s something they ‘truly want,’ but what we want keeps changing with our circumstances,” pointing out that obsessing over a fixed goal can actually fuel anxiety. Addressing her habit of pushing herself, he added, “That can be an obsession — even a form of self-abuse. To love yourself means not tormenting yourself.”
He also urged her to loosen her grip on emotions: “When you feel anxious, it’s important to simply note, ‘I’m anxious,’ and let it be.” After hearing his words, Lee said, “It feels like my thoughts are finally settling,” adding that it no longer felt like “a deeply serious problem.”
Meanwhile, the newly launched Beomnyun Road — The Monk and the Guest, which premiered on the 19th, is already surging in popularity. The episode featuring Lee’s confession hit a minute-by-minute peak rating of 3.9% (Nielsen Korea), drawing major attention. The show also entered Netflix’s ‘Top 10 TV Shows in Korea Today,’ debuting at No. 7 overall and No. 2 in the variety category, proving its momentum.