Shocking confession: U-KISS alum and actor Lee Jun-young laid bare the grueling reality of his little-known idol days, the convenience-store night shifts he took to survive, and even a heart-stopping DUI pursuit — revealing how he fought his way into acting.
On the July 8 broadcast of tvN’s variety show You Quiz on the Block, Lee Jun-young appeared ahead of his upcoming military enlistment. Lee debuted in the music industry in 2014 when he joined U-KISS. He revealed that, to catch up with the original members, he had to learn more than 20 songs in a short time. But as domestic activities dwindled, he said he gradually fell into a difficult period. “At big award shows, my friends were getting cheers on stage,” he recalled. “We had the same job, so I kept thinking, ‘Why am I like this?’”
When work dried up and things got tough at home, Lee started a night shift part-time job at a convenience store near his house. Asked about the most unforgettable moment, he said, “When I unexpectedly ran into my manager.” He confessed, “My manager hyung came in to buy cigarettes, and I was so ashamed. I never wanted to get caught, but I was speechless and just cried a lot.” Later, he learned something else: “After dropping me off at home, my manager cried too,” he said. “He told me I always said, ‘I’m going to make it for sure.’”
Instead of giving up, Lee chose acting. During the lull, he got scripts on his own, taught himself, and started auditioning to prepare for an actor’s career. The road was anything but smooth. Having failed more than 100 auditions, Lee said, “You can’t get worn out. I kept going, thinking I had to keep moving.”
The show also revealed a bold story about Lee’s bravery. He once spotted a vehicle suspected of drunk driving, reported it, and — at the police’s request — followed the car for about an hour. “I was going to head home after reporting it,” he said. “But they asked if I could follow the car. I thought, ‘Better it hits my car than crash into someone else,’ and kept behind it.” He added, “There are so many brave citizens you never see. Honestly, I was terrified. I even thought about just going home,” he admitted, drawing attention.