[Photograph by Jung Deung-yong]
SEOUL -- Benedict Cumberbatch, an English actor starring in "Avengers: Infinity War", made an unheralded visit to a temple in central Seoul, talking with a monk about Buddhism.
Monks and followers did not know about the sudden appearance of a strange foreigner at Chogyesa, the head temple of South Korea's largest Jogye order. Cumberbatch was not guided into the temple's main sanctuary but he was able to talk with several passing monks outside through an interpreter.
Temple officials said it was an unheralded visit on Friday morning because there was no prior contact with Cumberbatch who arrived in Seoul this week to promote the new American superhero film which is scheduled to be released in the United States on April 27.
"At first, I did not know about the strange foreigner. However, I found out through (internet) search that he was a very famous foreign actor," a Chogyesa monk said. "He seemed to have a lot of interest in Buddhism and I gave a brief explanation of my temple and Korean Buddhism."
A South Korean official in charge of Cumberbatch's trip, said the actor showed a strong interest in Buddhism and had wanted to visit a temple during his Asia trip.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
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