(OSEN)

For South Koreans, singer-actor Lee Seung-gi is still remembered as a sweet boy with a big, innocent smile who stole many women’s hearts.

When the boy confirmed in September 2013 that he had been dating Yoona, a member of idol group Girls’ Generation, fans had to face the reality that he was not a boy anymore.

Lee, who recently made his big-screen debut with the rom-com flick “Love Forecast,” shared his thoughts on love and relationships in an interview with Naver, Korea’s largest portal site.

“I believe that men and women can be friends. If they share hardships and help each other, they can remain friends,” Lee said. “But the friendship would be destroyed unless they are on an equal footing.”

In the film, released on Jan. 14, he plays Kang Joon-soo, a sweet, unassuming elementary school teacher in love with a childhood friend, played by actress Moon Chae-won.

Lee has a push-and-pull romance with Moon in the movie, but is not a fan of this kind of relationship in real life.

“It is important to push and pull in a relationship, but I think it is unnecessary. I actually hate it,” he said. “Both parties in a relationship should be honest with each other without calculating.”

The 28-year-old also talked about what makes his heart pound.

“Holding hands would make my heart beat (rather than hugging or kissing a woman),” he said.

But the excitement does not last forever, according to Lee.

“Whether I can candidly communicate with the person is more important than the temporary heartbeat to maintain the relationship,” he said.

Lee debuted in 2004 at age 17 with the nationwide hit “Because You’re My Girl.” Since then, he has focused on his acting career, starring in numerous TV series.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)