MAX CHANGMIN recalls chance encounter with Won Bin in Cheongdam-dong

During a recent appearance on Lee Ji-young's YouTube channel, MAX CHANGMIN described his shock at spotting actor Won Bin near Cheongdam Intersection. The singer, who has watched 'The Man from Nowhere' more than 50 times, admitted he felt an impulse to stop his car and run to the star.

Actor Won Bin has remained a source of admiration for junior entertainers with his peerless appearance and aura, despite having taken a hiatus from acting for 16 years. During a recent appearance, TVXQ's MAX CHANGMIN recalled a chance encounter with Won Bin in Cheongdam-dong, repeatedly expressing his amazement, saying, "It's truly crazy," and "His real-life appearance is..." He confessed that after meeting the star he had seen dozens of times in films, even his own face felt different.

On the 21st, a video titled 'The story of why true LG Twins fans gathered to cry, Doosan fans click prohibited' was released on Lee Ji-young's YouTube channel. While conversing on various topics with instructor Lee Ji-young, guest MAX CHANGMIN was asked if there was anyone among the celebrities he had actually met who possessed a special aura.

Lee Ji-young, a graduate of Seoul National University, shared an anecdote about taking classes with actress Kim Tae-hee during her college years. At the time, Kim Tae-hee was active as a commercial model, and it is said that about 100 engineering students would crowd the front of the classroom on days she had class. Lee recalled that she did not initially understand what was happening until she realized Kim Tae-hee was attending the lecture.

She vividly described the moment she stood side-by-side with Kim Tae-hee in front of a restroom mirror. Although she had rarely felt intimidated by her own appearance, seeing herself reflected in the mirror alongside Kim Tae-hee made her suddenly feel shabby. Recalling Kim Tae-hee's small face and large eyes, Lee remarked that she felt as if she had turned into a "sea cucumber, sea anemone, or sea squirt." The anecdote illustrates the intensity of the beauty she encountered in person.

Listening to the story, MAX CHANGMIN revealed that he had had a similar experience, naming actor Won Bin as the subject. Expressing his great fondness for Won Bin, MAX CHANGMIN stated he had watched the film 'The Man from Nowhere' more than 50 times. The moment he encountered the actor he had only admired through works remained an unforgettable memory for him.

MAX CHANGMIN recalled waiting for a signal near Cheongdam Intersection while driving and spotting Won Bin standing some distance away. Although they were dozens of meters apart, the special atmosphere emanating from Won Bin caught his eye immediately. "His face is somehow three-dimensional. Wow, what do I do?" he said, conveying his shock at the time. He added that while he did not believe it at first, upon closer inspection, it was indeed Won Bin.

Having discovered the star he admired right before his eyes, MAX CHANGMIN confessed to feeling an impulse to stop his car and run to him. "It would obviously be a violation of the road traffic law, but I wanted to just park the car here and run to him," he said, continuing his admiration: "But he is so handsome. It's truly crazy. Wow, his real-life appearance is..." He explained that while he did not actually stop the car or run, the impression was that intense.

An even more interesting part was how he felt when looking at his own face after seeing Won Bin. As he continued driving after receiving a left-turn signal, MAX CHANGMIN looked at himself in the rearview mirror and described it as, "It looked like a face drawn in two dimensions." It was a joking confession that after experiencing Won Bin's three-dimensional appearance firsthand, he appeared flat by comparison. In response, Lee Ji-young burst into laughter, suggesting that if MAX CHANGMIN compares himself to a "dotted line," ordinary people would be commented as dust, Higgs particles, or atoms.

Repeating his praise for Won Bin, MAX CHANGMIN lightened the atmosphere by stating, "Becoming an acquaintance of that person is one of my remaining goals in the entertainment industry." Lee Ji-young also marveled, saying, "He must be the celebrity among celebrities." The experiences of the two, who noted that the impression left when meeting him in person was even more intense than seeing him in works, once again highlighted Won Bin's enduring presence.

Won Bin debuted in the 1997 KBS2 drama 'Propose' and gained popularity through dramas such as 'Ad Madness', 'Kkokji', 'Autumn in My Heart', and 'Friends', as well as films 'Guns & Talks', 'Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War', 'My Brother', and 'Mother'. However, he has not appeared in a new work since the release of the film 'The Man from Nowhere' in 2010, which drew approximately 6.28 million viewers. While he continues advertising activities, news of his next project as an actor is rarely heard, leading to ongoing disappointment among fans.

Won Bin married actress Lee Na-young in 2015 and has a son. Even during his long hiatus from acting, his appearance and current status continue to garner attention. MAX CHANGMIN's vivid account showed that even though Won Bin has been away from the screen for a long time, he is still remembered as a special star by many.

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