Lee Dong-gun steps into Divorce Camp to stand with couples in crisis

Lee Dong-gun joins as the new family investigator following Jin Tae-hyun's departure

Actor Lee Dong-gun is joining JTBC's 'Divorce Camp' as the new family investigator. Following the departure of actor Jin Tae-hyun, who led the program for two years until the broadcast on the 16th, Lee Dong-gun will take over the position. Lee Dong-gun will begin his full-scale activities starting from episode 93, which airs this coming Thursday, the 30th, at 10 p.m.

"I wondered if I was qualified" reveals the background behind his decision to appear

Lee Dong-gun spent a cautious period of time after receiving the offer to appear. While he felt great joy because it was a program he usually enjoyed watching, his biggest concern was how his own personal pain would be perceived by the participants.

He shared his honest feelings, stating, "I had great concerns about whether I was qualified to offer criticism or advice to those experiencing a divorce crisis from the position of someone with similar pain, and how such an appearance would be perceived." The conclusion he reached after much deliberation was 'empathy.' He judged that his own experiences could provide deeper understanding and comfort to the participants. Lee Dong-gun revealed, "Rather, I decided to appear with the thought of what it might be like to take the side of the participants based on my understanding as someone who has experienced it."

"Real stories without dramatization" reflections felt on set

The stories encountered at the actual recording site were more vivid than expected. Lee Dong-gun initially had doubts about whether the stories appearing on the program might be exaggerated, but what he saw on-site was different. He said, "Because there are so many shocking stories, I wondered if there might be some exaggerated parts, but they were real stories without dramatization." He also cited the sight of Seo Jang Hoon shouting so intensely that his voice went hoarse during every recording as one of the impressive scenes.

Lee Dong-gun sent a message of respect to the couples visiting the camp while undergoing crises. He highly praised the courage of the participants, saying, "Rather than being trapped within the perspective and world of just the two of them, the effort to look at problems with an objective eye and try to solve them through the advice of many people is worthy of applause in itself."

Episode 93 of JTBC's 'Divorce Camp' will air on the 30th at 10 p.m. Lee Dong-gun is scheduled to add advice to the participants' stories alongside Seo Jang Hoon.