Lee Se-chang reveals how resemblance to Rimario cost him acting and commercial deals

Actor Lee Se-chang candidly shared the long hiatus he experienced, stating that a single appearance on a comedy program became a turning point in his acting career. He confessed that after drawing attention for his resemblance to comedian Rimario, his image as a comedian became more deeply ingrained than his image as an actor, causing all his drama offers and even commercial deals to dry up.

On the episode of TV CHOSUN's 'Perfect Life' aired on the 22nd, Lee, who was loved as a representative handsome actor of the 1990s, appeared to reveal his heyday, his hiatus, and previously unknown behind-the-scenes stories.

During the broadcast, MC Hyun Young opened the conversation by saying, "You enjoyed great popularity as an original 'sculpted handsome man' in the 1990s, and in 2005, you drew massive attention for your resemblance to comedian Rimario."

At the time, Rimario gained explosive popularity on SBS's 'Smile People' with his unique greasy tone and exaggerated gestures, and Lee drew attention for his high level of resemblance, even appearing on the 'Smile People' stage with him.

However, that single appearance led to an unexpected backlash.

Lee recalled, "I appeared on 'Smile People' with Rimario, and I went home after finishing the recording feeling very happy." He continued, "But after that, people started calling me a 'comedian mister' instead of an actor."

He further confessed, "I only appeared on a comedy program exactly once, but after that, drama casting offers were completely cut off for an entire year."

He said he realized how important an image is due to the nature of being an actor.

Lee explained, "An actor needs to have a somewhat mysterious image, but when people saw me, they thought of Rimario instead of an actor. Because that image was so strongly imprinted, casting offers naturally stopped coming in."

He expressed his bitter feelings, adding, "My acting career began to get tangled from the moment I stepped onto that stage."

The situation was no different on the street.

Lee said, "People only recognized me as a comedian, not an actor. My image had completely changed."

The damage was not limited to dramas.

He previously revealed on another broadcast that following his appearance on 'Smile People,' the commercial contracts he was conducting all ended the following year.

When he asked advertisers for the reason, the answer was unexpected.

He revealed that he was told it was because he had gained a "funny" image, evoking sympathy from the cast.

In fact, the reason he stepped onto the comedy stage at the time was because of his family.

Lee had confessed on a broadcast in 2011, "At the time, my wife was pregnant, and I decided to appear on 'Smile People' with the heart of wanting to make the baby in her womb laugh a lot."

While it was a choice made to gift laughter to his family, it ultimately resulted in an unexpected hiatus in his acting career.

An anecdote related to his singer debut was also revealed during the broadcast.

Lee explained, "The drama 'Daughter Rich House' which I appeared in in 1995 received great love, with the viewership rating exceeding 40%, and afterward, I ended up releasing an album at the suggestion of my manager."

However, regarding his activities as a singer, he smiled and said, "Looking back now, it is one of my most regretted choices."

Lee enjoyed great popularity as an original flower boy actor through various dramas and commercials in the 1990s and has since continued his acting and broadcasting activities steadily.