Lee Hong-gi, the charmer

SINGAPORE – I declare Lee Hong-gi one of my favourite Korean stars.

Not only is the lead singer of Korean band F.T. Island and star of popular drama series Bride Of The Century friendly, sincere and energetic, he’s just so darn endearing.

The singer-actor winked and posed playfully for our cameras in one of the rooms at Ritz Carlton Singapore where we caught up with him ahead of his solo fan meet in Singapore last Friday. All the while he was alternating between giving us the “peace” sign and staring wistfully out the window. Using all the English he could muster, he even joked that he drinks a mixture of whiskey and beer when he is free on set – though his handlers later pleaded with us to take his response out of our story – making him cooler in our books. He was also more than happy to entertain our ridiculous question about his idea of the perfect pillow.

“It’s the one I have at home. It’s memory foam, and molds to the shape of your head when you lie down,” Lee said animatedly, demonstrating with a pillow that he found on the couch. “Even my bed is memory foam. It’s quite expensive, but it works! I nagged my mother to get it for me.”

But the 24-year-old became a little more serious when we began chatting about his busy career in music, television and, erm, nail art. Lee, who published a book on nail art last year, has recently been cast in the lead role of a musical called Vampire. Though he declined to tell us more about his next television project, Lee shared some of F.T. Island’s grand plans for the future.

“I don’t want people to be confined to F.T. Island’s current style,” Lee said, adding that the band is planning to add further rock elements to their music. “We are up for some real breakthroughs in the future, so I hope people don’t typecast our music.”

Q: You are constantly surrounded by people, including your managers, band mates and fans. Do you like being around people, or do you prefer being alone?

A: I prefer having people around me all the time because I tend to get lonely at times. I also enjoy being alone sometimes, when I am feeling a little down. But that’s quite rare. I have two close friends from middle school who understand me quite well, and we tend to stick together.

Q: You’re so busy. What are you like when you’re tired?

A: I am really, really busy. And I’m highly sensitive when I am sleep-deprived. Thankfully, I have been playing a major part in deciding what I am involved in – like the roles that I play in television dramas or even the upcoming Vampire musical. So I think I am very happy. Despite my busy schedule, I make sure I have enough time to sleep.

Q: What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

A: Taking up the role in the Vampire musical. This is my first professional musical. I took part in a school musical about five years ago, but that was with my seniors. This time, I will be with professional actors and actresses. I’ve never practiced so much and so passionately before! This is going to be new and different, and I am working very hard for it.

Q: Your fans think you’re perfect. What do you like best about yourself?

A: (Shakes head in humble disagreement) The fact is, I enjoy doing what I am passionate about, and things that I believe in. I think I bring out the best in myself when I am confident about what I do. I think that is what I like about myself – because it also brings good results. There is so much I can do, but I’ve only shown you a very little part of me. But I am still very young, and I have a long way to go.