Viewers were not particularly sympathetic to his concerns.
16 minutes ago
Rookie actor Lee Tak Soo (also known as Lee Tak Su) is facing harsh backlash after opening up about the pressure of pursuing acting as the son of established actor Lee Jong Hyuk.
Lee Tak Soo appeared on the August 1 episode of JTBC’s Knowing Bros alongside Yeon Jung Hoon, Chani, and Oh Man Seok to promote the stage production Dead Poets Society. During the episode, the cast asked how his father had reacted to his decision to follow him into acting.
Lee Tak Soo explained that Lee Jong Hyuk was ultimately supportive because he understood how difficult the profession could be. The conversation then shifted to whether having a famous actor as a father created additional pressure. Lee Tak Soo recalled attending an audition during his first year of university and initially receiving encouraging feedback from the evaluators.
They seemed to really like me, so I thanked them and sat down. But later, when they found out whose son I was, the look in their eyes changed.
— Lee Tak Soo
According to Lee Tak Soo, the sudden shift left him uncomfortable because he had already believed he had performed well on his own merit. His confession was seemingly intended to highlight the complicated reality of entering the same industry as a famous parent. Rather than focusing only on the opportunities such a connection can provide, Lee Tak Soo described feeling judged differently as soon as his family background became known.
However, many viewers felt the story overlooked the substantial advantages he had already received through that same connection. Critics quickly pointed out that Lee Tak Soo had appeared on television with his father from a young age and was now discussing the burden of Lee Jong Hyuk’s name while appearing on one of Korea’s most prominent variety shows as a relatively unknown rookie.
One commenter summarized the perceived contradiction bluntly, noting, “He’s talking about how hard it is to have a famous father on a show he was able to appear on because his father is famous.” Others argued that performers who genuinely wanted to avoid comparisons to their parents had used stage names or deliberately kept their family relationships private until after establishing their careers.
In Lee Tak Soo’s case, viewers claimed that his identity as Lee Jong Hyuk’s son had been publicly emphasized throughout his life and continued to play a role in generating attention for his acting career. The reactions were especially unforgiving.
- 320. He says it is burdensome, but doesn’t he keep appearing on television while using his father’s name?
- 321. Plenty of people have used stage names so no one would know who their parents were, only to reveal them later. If it were truly such a burden, there were plenty of ways around it.
- 322. LOL, how convenient.
- 323. Why is he even appearing there? What has he acted in? LOL. He is coming out so confidently.
- 324. He did not choose to be born as an actor’s son, but he has benefited from it. He should accept that. Some celebrity children genuinely hide who their parents are because they are worried about prejudice, but this father and son openly promote their relationship and benefit from it. Why even say something like this?
- 325. It cannot be helped when he appears on television through his father’s influence.
- 326. He is talking about how difficult it is to have a famous actor as a father on Knowing Bros, a show he could appear on because his father is a famous actor. LOL.
- 327. He appeared on a romance show with his father and joined his father’s agency while practically announcing to the world that Lee Jong Hyuk is his dad, but now it is a burden? What a strange concept.
- 328. There are second-generation celebrities who use stage names and keep their parents hidden because the attention is burdensome. What is he even saying?
- 329. Then how did he get on Knowing Bros? He has not even reached the level of an average rookie.
- 330. Tak Soo has grown so much.
The criticism reflects a wider shift in how audiences respond to so-called “nepo babies.” Being related to a successful entertainer is not necessarily viewed as a disqualifying flaw. Increasingly, however, viewers expect celebrity children to acknowledge the access, publicity, and industry familiarity that their family name can provide rather than presenting the connection primarily as a hardship.
Lee Jong Hyuk married his non-celebrity wife in 2002 and has two sons, Lee Tak Soo and Lee Jun Soo. Lee Tak Soo, born in 2003, is currently studying theater and film at Dongguk University while pursuing acting professionally. His younger brother, Lee Jun Soo, has also entered Chung Ang University’s Department of Theater and is reportedly interested in becoming an actor. With both sons now following Lee Jong Hyuk into the industry, comparisons may be unavoidable.
Read more:
“Dad! Where Are We Going?” Junsu Shock Netizens With Just How Much He’s Grown
Source: Newsen and theqoo