Actor Lee Joo Ahn, who recently captivated viewers as Gong Gil in tvN’s weekend drama 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,' has revealed the deeply personal reason behind his military exemption.
The drama, which concluded on September 28, follows Michelin-starred chef Yeon Ji Young (YoonA) as she time-slips 500 years into the Joseon era, where she encounters King Lee Heon (Lee Chae Min), a tyrant with a flawless palate. Lee Joo Ahn played the role of Gong Gil, the king’s beloved court clown who secretly works as an assassin.
Debuting in 2018 through 'SKY Castle,' Lee has steadily built his career with appearances in 'Save Me 2,' 'Sweet Munchies,' 'True Beauty,' and 'Love Song for Illusion.' At 30 (Korean age), his breakout performance as Gong Gil left a strong impression on audiences.
In an interview with SPOTV News on October 1, Lee opened up about his military service status. “I was actually exempt,” he admitted. “When I was 22, I donated part of my liver to my mother. Because of that, I was deemed exempt from service.”
Recalling the critical moment, Lee said, “My mother had long struggled with liver problems, but one day I was suddenly told that she had fallen unconscious due to cirrhosis. I rushed to the hospital and learned that an emergency transplant was the only option. I gave my consent and underwent surgery.” The operation involved removing as much as 70% of his liver for the transplant.
Thankfully, the surgery was a success, and his mother has since recovered. Now living at their family home, she has been overjoyed to watch her son rise to fame through 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty.'
“Right now, I just feel happy,” Lee said with a smile. “My mom is so proud. She can finally say to others, ‘My son is an actor.’ Hearing that people recognize me as Gong Gil makes her feel at ease, even from afar.”
Expressing gratitude to viewers, Lee added, “It’s all thanks to those who enjoyed watching the show. I’m truly thankful to everyone. I’ll continue to work hard and greet audiences again with many good projects.”
SEE ALSO: YoonA shares her opinion about the ending of 'Bon Appetit, Your Majesty'
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