Lee Junyoung opened up about the prejudice he faced transitioning from idol to actor during a July 8 appearance on tvN's You Quiz on the Block.
The U-KISS member, who debuted at age 18, described repeated rejections and industry bias against idol actors. He quoted the words that hurt most: “Stop causing us trouble and just go back to where you came from.”
Lee Junyoung said the comment left a deep scar, with staff sighing on set and making him anxious about returning. He recalled working night shifts at a convenience store while in debt and promising his manager he would “definitely succeed.”
The actor has since built a career with roles in When Life Gives You Tangerines and Weak Hero Class 2. He noted that prejudice against idol actors has lessened compared to earlier years.