Lee inspires Japanese writer

Celebrated Japanese writer Banana Yoshimoto is writing a serial romance novel inspired by popular Korean actor and singer Lee Seung-gi, Lee’s local agency announced on Monday.

The author, who has a large fan base in Korea for her previous works such as “Kitchen” and “Amrita,” has started writing the serial novel in six installments, featuring Lee as its protagonist.

The novel will be published in Anan, a Japanese beauty and fashion magazine. The first installment will be published in its April 10 issue.

Lee’s agency said the ending of the novel would be revealed during his upcoming concert in Tokyo, scheduled to be held on Oct. 7.

Yoshimoto and Lee reportedly have been friends for awhile, saying they are fans of each other. The writer visited Seoul in December of last year to attend Lee’s Seoul concert held at Olympic Park’s Gymnastics Stadium.

Yoshimoto published the Korean edition of her collection of short stories, “Memories of a Dead End,” last year. Lee is currently shooting “Gugauiseo, (Gu Family Book)” an upcoming MBC TV drama series.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)