Actor Lee Kwang-soo (이광수) recently launched his official fan communication platform, Bubble. What started as a cautious exploration of the app's features quickly turned into an apparent 'addiction,' with Lee sending over 20 messages on his second day alone, much to the amusement of his fans. Even close friend Kim Woo-bin (김우빈) and IVE member Rei (레이) expressed interest, saying they "want to subscribe," fueling a buzz that has spread beyond his fanbase to general online communities.
According to Korean media reports, Lee Kwang-soo officially opened his Bubble account on the first of the month. Initially unfamiliar with the platform, he cautiously interacted with fans, asking questions about how to use its various functions. However, he quickly mastered the app, shedding his initial nervousness and unleashing his familiar 'variety show spirit.'
Lee Kwang-soo's hilarious responses on Bubble were swiftly captured by fans and shared across social media, making him a trending topic on various online forums shortly after his debut on the platform. Lee himself made no secret of his apparent inability to stop using the app.
He confessed, "Ah, I can't help it," and "What should I do?" adding, "I keep opening and closing the Bubble app." He revealed that he constantly finds himself checking the app. When fans jokingly asked if he was addicted, Lee humorously replied, "Part of me also wants to look busy." He even exclaimed, "Tie me up!" before adding, "I need to run again." This series of self-deprecating remarks delighted fans, who found them perfectly in character.
To break his 'addiction' to Bubble, Lee Kwang-soo even went for a late-night run. Yet, even while exercising, he couldn't resist sending a video of his slightly trembling finger, leaving fans in stitches. One fan urged him, "Ahjussi (mister), go to sleep!" but Lee responded that even if he did fall asleep, his thumb would probably keep moving.
When fans tried to end the chat and encourage him to rest, he repeatedly pleaded, "Wait a moment," and "Stay just a little longer." He was completely engrossed in the joy of chatting with his fans.
When fans advised him, "It's your first time using Bubble, don't be too nervous, just be natural," Lee Kwang-soo responded with exasperation, "That's hard." He described his feelings as being like the moment in games like Avalon or Mafia when he's suddenly identified as the 'killer,' once again making fans burst into laughter.
On his second day on Bubble, Lee Kwang-soo's 'message spree' showed no signs of stopping. Screenshots shared online showed fans exclaiming, "I received 27 Bubble messages from Lee Kwang-soo first thing in the morning," and "As soon as I opened my eyes, there was another pile of messages." Some netizens even joked that it felt less like a fan communication platform and more like a "free, live improv show" by Lee Kwang-soo, as if there was a real-time variety program every day.
This wave of excitement wasn't limited to his paid subscribers. Screenshots of Lee Kwang-soo's chats with fans quickly circulated on social media and online communities, sparking interest even among netizens who didn't use Bubble. Comments poured in, such as: "The subscription fee feels completely worth it," "This is the first time I want to download Bubble because of Lee Kwang-soo," and "Everyone is subscribing so fast." Some even joked that his influence was on a "Chungju Man" level.
Many former viewers of the popular variety show Running Man were also reminded of old times, with netizens joking that the audience once known as the 'Running Man Kids' seemed to have reunited. Related posts garnered over 300,000 views, and the keyword "Lee Kwang-soo Bubble" briefly trended on X, indicating a continuous surge in popularity.
Even his celebrity friends couldn't help but get drawn in. After learning that Lee Kwang-soo had opened a Bubble account through his own fan platform, close friend Kim Woo-bin (김우빈) curiously asked, "Where can I see it?" and "I want to chat with him too." Later, upon hearing that "Lee Kwang-soo's Bubble is hilarious," Kim Woo-bin couldn't resist playfully retorting, "If even Bubble can make people laugh like this, then what's going on?" showcasing their close friendship through his teasing reaction.
IVE member Rei (레이) was also successfully captivated, directly stating, "I want to subscribe to Kwang-soo sunbae's Bubble." She even began seriously considering a paid subscription. She candidly added, "What I envy most is how good he is at comedy," expressing admiration for Lee Kwang-soo's unique variety show sense, which also made fans laugh.
Lee Kwang-soo gained immense popularity in the past for his unpredictable actions and reactions on Running Man, even earning him the title of "Asia's Prince." In recent years, he has focused more on his acting career, leading to a significant reduction in his variety show appearances.
Now, after a hiatus, his return to real-time interaction with fans through Bubble has brought back his familiar 'Lee Kwang-soo variety show spirit.' From his frantic messaging to his reluctance to end late-night chats, fans feel as though they've rediscovered the familiar and hilarious Lee Kwang-soo from his Running Man days, which explains why the related topics have quickly become a hot trend online.
