Have you ever watched a drama and wondered if you were seeing double? That’s what happened to many fans of Korean entertainment, who were baffled by the striking resemblance between two actors, Lee Jae-won and Oh Jung-se.
Lee Jae-won is a veteran actor who debuted in 2008 with the movie “Public Enemy Returns.” He has since starred in many hit films and dramas, such as “The Man from Nowhere,” “Penny Pinchers,” “My P.S. Partner,” “The Bridal Mask,” “The Master’s Sun,” and “The Legend of the Blue Sea.”
Oh Jung-se is another well-known actor who has been active since 2003. He has appeared in various genres of movies and dramas, such as “Running Turtle,” “The Unjust,” “How to Use Guys with Secret Tips,” “A New Leaf,” “Missing Noir M,” and “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.”
The two actors have never worked together, but they have crossed paths in the past. In fact, they have a funny story to tell about their doppelganger effect.
In 2014, Lee Jae-won was cast in SBS’s drama “Doctor Stranger,” where he played a North Korean spy. At the same time, Oh Jung-se was cast in MBC’s drama “A New Leaf,” where he played a lawyer who lost his memory.
The problem was, the two dramas aired during the same time slot, and the two actors looked so much alike that viewers got confused. Some thought Lee Jae-won was playing two roles in two different dramas, while others thought Oh Jung-se had replaced Lee Jae-won in “Doctor Stranger.”
The confusion was so widespread that viewers posted complaints on online forums, accusing the actors of being unprofessional and greedy. Lee Jae-won revealed this hilarious incident on the Jan 24th episode of MBC’s “Radio Star,” where he said he felt sorry for the viewers who were misled.
He also shared that he met Jung-se during the filming of the movie “The Unjust” in 2010, and they became friends. Jung-se even offered to substitute for him in “Doctor Stranger” as a joke, since they looked so similar.
The resemblance between the two actors was not only in their appearance, but also in their aura and voice. When the hosts of “Radio Star” compared their scenes from “Doctor Stranger” and “A New Leaf,” they were amazed by how alike they were. They said they could not tell them apart, and they felt like they were watching the same person.
Netizens also commented on the doppelganger effect, saying things like “They are like twins,” “They have the same vibe and tone,” and “I always get confused when I watch their dramas.”
Jae-won and Jung-se are both talented and versatile actors who have proven their skills in various roles. However, their uncanny similarity has also caused some trouble and amusement for themselves and their fans.
This is a rare case of mistaken identity in the world of Korean entertainment, where actors usually try to differentiate themselves from others. Jae-won and Jung-se have shown that sometimes, even in the glamorous world of dramas, things are not always as they seem.
More About Lee Jae-won and Oh Jung-se
| Name | Date of Birth | Debut Year | Notable Works | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Jae-won | 1981-01-18 | 2008 | Doctor Stranger, Fabricated City, Extreme Job | 2023 KBS Drama Awards – Special Short Drama Actor (“Drama Special: No Path Back”) |
| Oh Jung-se | 1977-02-26 | 2001 | When the Camellia Blooms, Hot Stove League, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay | 2020 56th Baeksang Arts Awards – Male Supporting Actor in the TV category (“When the Camellia Blooms”), 2021 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards – Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s commendation |
