Known Buddhists in Celebrity

The Buddha's Birthday holiday has begun. As it is a day to commemorate the birth of Shakyamuni, it must be a meaningful day for entertainers who are Buddhists. Therefore, we would like to take a look at representative figures known in the entertainment world among numerous Buddhists.

Actress Gyeon Mi-ri is famous for being a devout Buddhist. In particular, it was known that her daughter Da-in even changed her name to a Buddhist name in the process of marrying Lee Seung-gi. It is said that the reason for the name change from Lee Joo-hee to Lee Ra-yoon was Gyeon Mi-ri's strong will. Her older sister Lee Yu-bi also changed her real name to So-yul, a Buddhist name.

Lee Seung-gi, who grew up in a Christian family, is also known to have converted to Buddhism after meeting Da-in Lee. In the past, Lee Seung-gi and Lee Da-in were caught wearing 'couple beads'.

Gyeon Mi-ri is also a director of the Buddhist Foundation. Most of the donations are donated to Buddhist-related foundations such as Dongguk University. In 2022, he also donated 300 million won to Dongguk University.

Yoo Jae-seok confessed to being a Buddhist in the rumor of a 'Shincheonji celebrity'. In tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' three years ago, Yoo Jae-seok mentioned the embarrassing experience of being on the list of 'Shincheonji celebrities', saying, "I also had fake news. I am there (Shincheonji)." He emphasized, "I have a completely different religion. It is Buddhism. I hope there is no misunderstanding."

Since then, MBC 'What do you do when you play?' In the interview with comedian Lee Yong-jin, he once again mentioned that he was a Buddhist. Yoo Jae-seok is known to have donated several times to the 'House of Sharing', a shelter for victims of sexual slavery by the Japanese military, prepared by the Buddhist community.

The religion of Kim Jong-kook, who is appearing with Yoo Jae-seok on 'Running Man', is also Buddhism. Kim Jong-guk, who appeared in a web entertainment in the past, was shown looking at the priest's clothes, a game character costume prepared by an advertiser, and asking, "I'm a Buddhist, isn't the cross too big?" In 2006, it was reported that he went to his grandmother's house near Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon and visited Haeinsa Temple with his family.

Na Moon-hee, who received the Best Actress Award at the 2017 Blue Dragon Film Awards, confessed that she was a Buddhist by saying, "Thanks to my mother's God and Na Moon-hee's Buddha" in her acceptance speech. Na Moon-hee is known as a devout follower of Gyeongguksa Temple in Seoul. It is said that he became a Buddhist after forming a close relationship with the then head monk Ji-gwan. In 1985, it is said that he was also given the name 'Chilbohwa' by monk Jigwan.

Oh My Girl's Seunghee, Seventeen's Boo Seungkwan, (G)I-DLE's Jeon Soyeon, and broadcaster Jeon Hyunmoo have one thing in common: they went to a Buddhist kindergarten. Lee Soo-geun announced that he was a "Buddhist to the core" and introduced a rap that incorporated Buddhism.

Reporter Tae Yuna, Ten Asia youyou@tenasia.co.kr