Credit: Log Studio
Lee Jae Wook is stepping back into period drama territory with Dear Hongrang , Netflix’s newest historical mystery romance. In a recent interview on the 19th, the actor opened up not just about the series, but also career envy, shirtless fight scenes, and his rom-com dreams.
Dear Hongrang follows the story of Hong Rang (Lee Jae Wook), the long-lost son of Joseon’s wealthiest trading house. Twelve years after mysteriously vanishing, he returns with no memory, only to be met with suspicion from his half-sister Jae Yi ( Jo Bo Ah ).
In the drama, Lee delivers high-impact action and even strips down for a key fight scene, something he admits didn’t come easily. “I was super embarrassed while filming it,” he said. “There’s a scene near the end where I’m shirtless and doing action—it definitely came with pressure. But I knew it gave the scene more weight, so I hoped it would come out well.”
“I wanted to transform my body to look like an assassin, so I went on a diet,” he revealed. “This guy’s been through hell, so I focused on reflecting that physically. Between managing my physique and doing all the action, I realized I’m not the most disciplined person.”
Credit: Netflix
The actor didn’t hold back when asked if he ever feels envious watching other dramas. “Of course I get jealous sometimes,” he admitted with a laugh. “I usually try to watch everything, even shows I’m not in. Recently, I really enjoyed the ‘Weak Hero Class’ series. I caught myself thinking, ‘What if I had played one of those roles?’ or ‘Why doesn’t a script like that come my way?’ It pushes me to work harder and become a better version of myself.”
And despite now being in his mid-to-late twenties, Lee’s still not done with school dramas. “I’d probably have to apologize to viewers, but I’d love to do another school drama. There’s something exciting about acting in a uniform,” he said with a grin.
The conversation inevitably turned to his relationship with aespa’s Karina , which went public during Dear Hongrang ‘s shoot. When asked if it impacted his focus on set, he answered carefully, “That wasn’t the reason. It’s a personal matter, so I’m mindful of what I share.”
Jo Bo Ah on Married Life, the ‘Knock-Off’ Delay and Her New Drama ‘ Dear Hongrang ’
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