Popular K-Drama Star Goes To Shocking Lengths To Learn English

A popular K-Drama actor recently surprised viewers with his raw honesty while confessing on a national television program about his insecurities regarding his English-speaking skills.

The actor in question is Yoon Shi Yoon, best known for his roles in K-Dramas such as Hit The Top and Work Later, and Drink Now.

During his appearance on SBS’s variety show My Little Old Boy on June 1, KST, Yoon shared a glimpse of his strictly disciplined life. While he was enjoying dinner with the show’s cast on camera, he left the table midway because it was time for his online English class. The episode revealed that he had a rigorous daily routine, which included regular English lessons as part of his goal of self-improvement.

This admirable mindset was also the reason why he left Korea last year and moved to the Philippines. The actor revealed that he had attended an English language program in the country and shared the motivation behind his sustained efforts to master the language even after coming back home.

One day suddenly my mother gave me this ridiculous English textbook. Later, while watching myself on TV, I saw someone say, ‘You can’t speak English.’ I felt so pathetic after seeing that.

— Yoon Shi Yoon

He continued, explaining that while working with foreign staff members on set, he felt completely unprepared to hold conversations with them. “I was ashamed of my laziness and regretted it. I missed so many opportunities because of the language barrier,” he added.

But Yoon decided to hone his English skills, firm in his belief that opportunities would find him again. His living room, stacked with English books, reflected his eagerness to stay prepared for when it does.

Yoon Shi Yoon’s first appearance on My Little Old Boy has left a deep impression on viewers, thanks to his meticulous self-discipline and an admirable mindset to push his own boundaries, nearly two decades into his career.