Was there more story to tell?
Not your standard comedy fare, but then that is the magic of Lee.
But the idea of having his own original show tugged at him.
‘Beef’ creator-director Lee Sung Jin on set.Andre Cooper/Netflix/Everett Collection
There was sort of a gradual change that had been happening in me, he says.
I guess I could call it spiritually.
So, there was a shift happening based off my own individual change.
Ali Wong and Steven Yeun inBeef.Andrew Cooper/Netflix
That support system allowed me to find that confidence and it felt different from day one.
Some of us struggled with very similar mental health things, he says.
It allowed for us to have a very safe space to share openly.
There were a lot of laughs, but there were days with some tears.
Because it was during the pandemic, I think weirdly, Zoom helped.
Looking back, it was this therapeutic vessel to vomit our insides into.
It gave us a little bit of distance to share stuff you normally wouldnt.
Lee also mined the notes app on his phone for experiences and conversations hes saved over the years.
I write down everything, he confesses.
My notes app is just full of scribbles.
and Im like, Yeah, I am.
Thats been really lovely.
But Lee is by no means resting on his laurels.
You never know when that creative alchemy may strike again, he says.
Reflecting on that has been the coolest lesson this past year.
A second season ofBeefhas inevitably been discussed.
But its too early to say where things will head.
It was a certain configuration of people that may never come together in that way again.
That doesnt mean whatever comes next cant be fulfilling, boundary-pushing and truthful.
And I take that aspect very seriously before stepping into the ring with them.
Me and Steven found a Korean barbeque spot where they have an attached karaoke room, Lee reveals.
But its getting harder and harder to grab that bill.
