Actor Jung Il Woo has gained more fans in Thailand after playing the main character in the drama "Love and Lies" and he is the first South Korean actor to star in a Thai drama.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Jung has fast become an internet sensation among Thais after "Love and Lies" showed its first two episodes last Monday and Tuesday on Thai TV network "true4U". This news has also been confirmed by the company Shall We Talk.
The South Korean news website pointed out that "Love and Lies" has been well-received by the audience citing the increase in ratings of a mobile application by "true4U" which has experienced a 2.6 to 3 times surge of its usual network viewership ranking. In the Thai drama "Love and Lies", Jung plays the male lad Tim, a "cold yet romantic" PR manager of a well-known entertainment agency.
News about the South Korean actor's increasing popularity in Thailand has been celebrated by the drama's local PR agency. At present, Jung is busy fulfilling his duties in the military. He has enlisted in the mandatory military service December of last year.
Last November, his enlistment in the military caused worry among his fans due to a serious illness. The news was confirmed by Jung's agency, a report by Soompi said. His agency announced on Nov. 30 that he was diagnosed with cerebral aneurysm caused by a car accident in 2006 where he had a "concussion", "cerebral hemorrhaging" and "localized amnesia".
"Since about three years ago [after a car accident in 2006], he has had frequent headaches. After a medical examination, Jung Il Woo was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm," according to the official announcement released by Jung's agency.
In lieu with the announcement, his representatives also shared they request for a re-examination and although his illness may be a ground for exemption from the mandatory military enlistment, the actor had expressed his desire to comply and do his service. Moreover, Jung's agency confirmed that given his condition, the actor enlisted as a public service worker instead of an active duty soldier.
Watch the first part of Jung Il Woo's interview with Arirang K-pop below.