[article] Swallowed live poisonous snake, Jang Keun Suk, you are real tough

The Beijing News printed a full page article about Sukkie today. It is a mainstream newspaper, one of the major papers in Beijing printing 650,000 copies daily. Thanks Wen for the translation!

Original source: The Beijing News
English translation: Wen Lee from ECI
Photo credit as tagged

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Korean eyeliner pretty boy Jang Keun Suk has returned after two years. His comeback new TV drama ‘The Royal Gambler’ (Jackpot) premiered on 28th March in Korea and immediately rated No.1 amongst dramas of the same time slot in the first week. In the drama, JKS’ change from his past pretty boy image shocked those who know & like him. One has to know, his name used to be linked to references like ‘prince’, ‘pretty boy’, etc. He’s always wearing long flowing hair, spoke in a low voice, and he might leave behind a nice scent when he walked past you. But this time, he’s changed totally. Unkempt, even ate live poisonous snake. So real that fans were crying ‘heartache’. So in trying to prove his acting skills, does he have to act with his life imitating Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant?

It was a real poisonous snake he ate but only with its fangs removed
The Royal Gambler (Jackpot) is 24 episodes shown on Mondays & Tuesdays on SBS Channel, lead actors are Jang Keun Suk & Yeu Jin Goo. The drama is about Prince Young-Su (played by JKS) who was deserted in the countryside after birth. He was brought up by his gambler adoptive father & became the No.1 gambler in Joseon. He vowed to revenge after his adoptive father passed away mysteriously and then he accidentally found out his own background. Yeu plays his younger brother. The drama claims to be the historical version of SBS’ 2003 drama ‘All In’.
In the episode already shown, Young-Su was very poor, being beaten & thrown in mud flats were normal. In this week’s episode 6, there was even a scene of eating live poisonous snake. According to information, the snake used in the drama was a poisonous snake. Its fangs were removed prior to filming. JKS did not hesitate in eating it. As soon as this scene was aired, Korean internet was shocked, claiming JKS ‘changed the general public’s bias towards him with his acting skills’. The director also said ‘eager to see JKS’ growing up’. And many Chinese fans not only admired his professionalism after they watched the drama, they were crying ‘heartache’ for him.

How popular is JKS?
Japan printed postage stamps for him.
JKS debuted at 5 years old & started shooting for advertisements very early in his life. In 2006, he entered Hangyang University to study Film & Theatre. After that, he appeared in KBS historical drama ‘Hwang Jini’ & became hugely famous overnight. At the time he was only 19. After that, he worked in movies ‘Baby & I’ etc firming up his popularity, becoming one who others had high hopes amongst the young‘Chungmoro’ hopefuls. In 2009, his acting career reached the peak with the drama ‘You’re Beautiful’, even stirred up another round of Korean wave in Asia. Even if you cannot remember the storyline, you won’t forget his ‘eyeliner pretty boy’ image. Those few years, you can see his advertisements everywhere in Japan’s commercial centres. Korean media claimed his popularity in Japan surpassed Bae Yong Jun. In 2012, Japan Post released postage stamps in commemoration of his 20th anniversary. That was the first time Japan released stamps for a Korean artist.
Before The Royal Gambler was aired, fans from 35 countries including China, Japan, France, England, Mexico etc put out advertisements for the drama, could see posters from the drama on buses, airports, building billboards, & even shopping trolleys one can see JKS.

Where has he been for the past two years?
Studying and helping juniors.
In the second half of 2014, there was a ‘scandal’. According to Korean media, after investigation by the national tax office, JKS was suspected of ‘evading tax’, amount involved was 2 billion Won. The Korean public never liked artists who did not do the right thing with their taxes. After a few months, the incident exploded in Jan 2015: JKS’ part in ‘3 Meals a Day’ were all edited out. Although afterwards it was proven it was only a mistake by his agency, but it seriously affected JKS.
In that year, JKS chose to go to school. He completed his masters studies in Film & Theatre at Hanyang University. ‘There are a lot of very good students in my class, I can only work hard, surely I can’t rely on being a Hallyu star for the rest of my life?’ During this time, a competition programme ‘Produce 101’ invited him to be MC. JKS declined citing he was busy with his studies. The production side said they could wait. In the end, he was moved when he knew he could give lessons to the trainees. After the show was aired, ‘Produce 101’ became the hottest variety show topic in Korea from 2015 to 2016.
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12 thoughts on “[article] Swallowed live poisonous snake, Jang Keun Suk, you are real tough”

  1. It is funny that they compared Jang Keun Suk oppa to Leonardo DiCaprio because that is exactly who came to my mind after watching the snake scene.

    Reply
  2. It is funny that they compared Jang Keun Suk oppa to Leonardo DiCaprio because that is exactly who came to my mind after watching the snake scene.

    Reply
  3. EVERY DAY LOVELY DAY……. I like to sing this song recently more. These days are the loveliest as our JKS is everywhere for what i prayed a lot. So happy and full of tears today. All his hard work in filming (specially the mud and the snake scene) have not gone vain. And yes it left us heartache but at the end we are very very proud of our brightest star. Thanks for translation. This will be a memorable article forever.

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  4. This was a great news they compared our prince to Leonardo from the Revenant,it so true our prince always a great actor and so talented.

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  5. I am starting to imagine prince getting an “OSCAR”. Our JKS is a genious actor, its an honour to compare him with Leonardo Di Caprio. Keep it up sukkie.

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  6. so very inspiring 😀 😉 thats my star..he’s definitely great actor with a heart 😉 saranghae my eyeliner pretty boy ^_^

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  7. The actor, Jang Keun Suk, is truly an inspiration of professionalism combined with passion in his chosen career. I am greatly moved by his acting skills in his comeback. A one of a kind talented man who devotes himself fully in his characters especially in his current drama as Baek Dae Gil. Thank you for making me feel even more proud as an Asian. God bless you even more.. 🙂

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  8. Great comeback of JKS.. Get the love my prince, your hardwork deserves recognition. Keep up the good work, i’m so proud to be your fan

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  9. I am so proud of you. Your acting is beyond excellence. He can express so well with his eyes. The leading female character falls fo him coming to visit and tell him her name. She was brought up with the evil full of hatred and always wanted to revenge. While he was brought up with love and care. I wish he would meet wth his mother soon. I can’t wait for the next episode. I just love and admire this man. He always gives it all to whatever he does, that is my uncompromising JANG KEUN SUK.

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  10. Great report indeed… He is popular indeed…his own stamps…but what I like is the fact they mention they wanted him as MC jang for Produce101 and were prepared to WAIT!!! In a money driven industry this is of big significance…

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  11. With Daebak, JKS has proven once again just how good an actor he is. He took on the role even if it meant showing him as an unkempt, untidy character… not the glamourous star and pretty boy roles he played in the past.. he even ate an actual snake… he was dirtied, muddied and beaten many, many times..
    His face is very expressive… just loved how he reacted to his father giving him a bath…the gisaengs touching his arms and legs (so funny)… and even falling in love with the noblewoman…how his eyes took on a glassy look as he was stabbed and fell off the cliff… so many memorable scenes… there is no question that he is truly a versatile actor who takes his craft to heart… let’s hope the Koreans finally get to realize this… JKS, fighting!

    Reply

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