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From Screen Villain to Real-World Advocate Rising Star Lee Seung Gyu Turns Acclaim Into Action

June 19, 2026

Fresh off a breakout performance that captivated audiences worldwide, rising Korean actor Lee Seung Gyu is proving that his impact extends far beyond the screen.


The young star, who drew widespread attention for his chilling portrayal of Ryu Jun-hyung—a privileged politician's son and ruthless school bully—in the Kdrama global hit Teach You a Lesson, has made a meaningful donation to support victims of school violence, transforming the drama's powerful message into tangible real-world action.


The contribution was made to the Blue Tree Foundation (BTF), one of South Korea's most respected organizations dedicated to preventing school violence and supporting affected students and families. Founded by Kim Jong-gi, whose own son tragically lost his life due to school violence, the foundation has spent decades leading nationwide education, advocacy, and victim-support initiatives.


According to Lee's agency, JG Entertainment, the donation reflects the actor's desire to carry the series' message beyond entertainment and into meaningful social impact.


"After learning of Lee Seung Gyu's intention, we felt it was a thoughtful and deeply meaningful decision," a representative from the agency shared. "By announcing this contribution, we hope its positive influence can inspire greater awareness and encourage support for those affected by school violence."


The gesture comes at a pivotal moment in Lee's career. Teach You a Lesson has emerged as one of South Korea’s biggest international successes of the year, topping the platform's non-English television rankings across 46 countries and maintaining its No. 1 position for consecutive weeks following its June release. The series has accumulated more than 21 million views globally,. sparking widespread conversations about bullying, privilege, and accountability.


For many viewers, Lee's performance stood out as one of the drama's most memorable elements. His unsettlingly authentic portrayal of a teenage aggressor earned praise from critics and audiences alike, showcasing a level of emotional complexity rarely seen from an actor still in the early stages of his career.


Since his debut in 2021, Lee has steadily built a reputation as one of Korea's most promising young talents, appearing in acclaimed projects such as User Not Found and Our Dating Sim. With each role, he has demonstrated remarkable range and emotional depth. Yet it is perhaps his willingness to align his growing platform with meaningful causes that is beginning to distinguish him just as strongly as his on-screen work.


In an era when celebrity influence is often measured in followers and headlines, Lee Seung Gyu's latest gesture offers a different model—one rooted not in visibility, but in responsibility.


By supporting an organization devoted to protecting vulnerable students and helping families heal, the actor has transformed a fictional narrative about violence into an authentic act of compassion. And in doing so, he reminds us that the most powerful performances are sometimes the ones that continue long after the cameras stop rolling.

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