Lee Young-ae Recalls 'Dae Jang Geum's' Global Impact, Even Praised by Kim Jong-il

Actress Lee Young-ae shared her experiences realizing the immense popularity of her iconic drama 'Dae Jang Geum' overseas.

Appearing on MBC's 'Son Suk-hee's Questions' on the 17th, Lee Young-ae revealed behind-the-scenes stories about 'Dae Jang Geum,' captivating viewers.

Lee expressed particular pride when she learned from overseas Korean communities that 'Dae Jang Geum' had positively influenced their lives. She recalled, "Just like feeling good when your hometown prospers, hearing that their motherland is doing well gave them confidence and improved their work, which was very rewarding."

Furthermore, anchor Son Suk-hee shared a surprising anecdote: the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il reportedly praised 'Dae Jang Geum' so highly that he said one shouldn't claim to have watched movies if they hadn't seen it. He also mentioned that former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun gifted a 'Dae Jang Geum' DVD set to Kim Jong-il during their Pyongyang summit.

Regarding this, Lee Young-ae vividly recalled, "I remember signing a few, without writing 'To Chairman Kim.'" This anecdote highlighted 'Dae Jang Geum's' status as a work that created significant international resonance beyond just being a drama.

Lee Young-ae debuted as a commercial model in 1990, marking the beginning of her acting career. After her marriage in 2009, she temporarily paused her acting activities but has consistently continued her work, earning recognition for her acting skills. Recently, she showcased a new acting transformation in the drama 'Inspector Koo'.