Lee Joon-ki "having a hard time" in military, says Jae Hee

Actor Jae Hee salutes reporters and fans after being discharged from Korea's Defense Media Agency in Seoul, South Korea on June 18, 2010. [Han Youn-jong/Asia Economic Daily]

Hallyu star Lee Joon-ki is reportedly having a hard time adjusting to life in the army, according to fellow actor Jae Hee who was discharged from the military today.

Speaking to a group of reporters after being discharged from Korea's Defense Media Agency on Friday morning, Jae Hee said that he met Lee "just once".

"He seems to be having a very hard time right now", said the actor. "He just entered the military and time will take care of it. He may feel awkward about the short hair and much-tanned skin but the day will come when he gets discharged".

Over a hundred fans from Korea, China and Japan showed up to see Jae Hee return to the outside world after spending two years in the military as part of fulfilling Korea's mandatory army duties.

Jae Hee, whose real name is Lee Hyun-kyoon, initially gained fame after starring in the campus drama "School" (KBS2, 2000).

He is best-known for his role as Lee Mong-ryong in the hit TV series "Sassy Girl, Chun-hyang" (KBS2, 2005), which co-starred top Korean actress Han Chae-young and became a huge hit throughout Asia.

Lee Joon-ki, who shot to fame after starring in the 2005 hit film "The King and the Clown", entered the military on May 3 after he was notified by the government to report to the military.

At the time, he tried to defer his entrance date in order to finish up the shootings for film "Grand Prix" and upcoming blockbuster TV series "Faith", but eventually pulled out from both projects when he was unable to do so.

Last week, it was reported that Lee had completed the five-week basic training course with flying colors, being chosen as one of the four officers out of some 900 soldiers to receive an award from the head of the military training camp.

He has been assigned to Korea's Defense Media Agency where he will carry out various promotional activities such as hosting military television shows and radio programs and visiting Korean soldiers serving at the front and rear lines of the military zone.

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@
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