by Hazel Jung, July 21, 2023
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KBS2's new Monday-Tuesday drama My Lovely Boxer is based on the novel "My Lovely Boxer" by author Choo Jong Nam, which won the 2nd Kyobo Bookstore Story Contest. The drama revolves around the life of the genius boxer Lee Kwon Sook, who disappeared, and the cold-blooded agent Kim Tae Young as they embark on a journey to escape from the world of rigged matches.

In the drama, Lee Sang Yeob transforms into the ruthless agent Kim Tae Young, who jumps into the world of rigged matches to support the top pitcher Kim Hee Won, who is like a brother to him. Regarding his decision to take on the role in My Lovely Boxer, Lee Sang Yeob said, "It's my first time trying this genre, and the script dealing with rigged matches was fresh. I recalled the moment I first encountered the work."

He expressed extraordinary affection for the character, stating, "He is the coldest character I've portrayed so far, but also the most intense and suffering one. Tae Young is an incredibly tough and strong person. I was both surprised and impressed while watching Tae Young's actions."

In My Lovely Boxer, Lee Sang Yeob wanted to convey emotions solely through his eyes, saying, "I wanted to express the feelings that can be perceived just through facial expressions and natural tone, rather than dramatic gestures and speech, to raise anticipation among the viewers."

Praising his co-star Kim So Hye, who shares great chemistry on-screen, Lee Sang Yeob said, "I could feel a strong sense of solidarity every time we acted together. Boxing scenes must have been physically demanding, but she was always bright and energetic, earning my admiration. I relied on and looked forward to acting with actress Kim So Hye."

Defining My Lovely Boxer with three keywords, Lee Sang Yeob chose "urgency," "purity," and "sincerity." He also expressed his complete trust in the production team, saying, "My Lovely Boxer is a work that perfectly embodies Director Choi Sang Yeol's sensibility. It's a work that won't be embarrassing no matter where it's presented."

Lastly, Lee Sang Yeob expressed his hope for viewers to tune in, saying, "I hope you watch the challenging journey of sports agent Kim Tae Young and genius boxer Lee Gwon Suk as they face hardships and see whether things unfold according to their desires and wishes."

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