"I want to act more naturally now, without trying too hard. In my 20s, I was determined to achieve everything, but moving forward, I want to approach things more comfortably."
Actor Lee Junho, who has achieved double-digit ratings for three consecutive projects since his military discharge, shared his thoughts on wrapping up 'Typhoon Family.' He met with the press on December 2nd at a café in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. From the polarizing plot development to the emotional shifts of his character, and his concerns as the head of a one-man agency, Lee Junho candidly discussed the changes and insights he gained from this project.
'Typhoon Family' is set against the backdrop of South Korea's financial crisis in 1997. It tells the growth story of Kang Tae-pung (played by Lee Junho), a novice businessman who becomes the president of a trading company with no employees, money, or products to sell. The series started with a 5.9% viewership rating and concluded with its highest rating of 10.3%, maintaining top buzz throughout its run according to FUNdex's TV buzz rankings.
Lee Junho expressed, "It was a project I poured a lot of affection into, even though it was just over a year. It was an opportunity to showcase various sides of myself, and I am grateful for the time I spent with the character 'Typhoon.'"
Regarding the show's historical setting, Lee Junho noted, "The IMF era had a distinct historical characteristic," and he believed the series could serve as a bridge between generations who experienced that time and those who did not. He added, "It was a story I wanted to explore because it captured the romance and love of that era."
Some viewers criticized the series for its 'frustrating endings,' likening it to the feeling of having a throat blocked by a sweet potato. Lee Junho explained, "I pondered the justification when villains tried to hinder the protagonist," and believed that the lack of clear reasons for the characters' choices was itself a form of justification.
He continued, "I understand that the writer's, director's, and production company's opinions were reflected. As an actor, I thought, 'It's only natural for them to interfere.' I trusted the director, writer, and production company, even though viewers might have found it frustrating."
Lee Junho acknowledged that achieving success in just six months or a year is a fantasy in reality. He noted, "The happy ending of this series might also be seen as a fantasy," and believed the director and writer intended to incorporate narratives from all perspectives.
The series, consisting of 16 episodes, received criticism for its drawn-out plot. Lee Junho commented, "Most of my previous works were 16 or 20 episodes long. I wanted to work on a longer narrative rather than a short one," and he focused on how to portray Kang Tae-pung's emotions over 16 hours.
He also mentioned his co-star Kim Min-ha, who was once an active member of 2PM’s fan club, HOTTEST. Lee Junho laughed, "At first, I didn't believe it. I thought it was just something people say," and added, "Even after finding out it was true, I joked about getting autographs from the members for her."
He continued, "Initially, I was skeptical, but later, I was genuinely grateful. I wanted to ask which fan club generation she was part of and what she liked, but I couldn't due to the circumstances. It was a day that made me realize a lot."
In April, Lee Junho left JYP Entertainment, where he had been for 17 years, to establish his own agency, O3 Collective. When asked if he learned anything from becoming a president like Kang Tae-pung, he said, "I realized it's not easy to do things like Tae-pung. I agree that people are the most important. Even when making decisions that might seem frustrating to viewers, I thought, 'It can't be helped.' It felt like a legacy passed down from his father, and I want to learn from that."
Lee Junho emphasized, "I don't plan to operate the company as a one-man agency forever. If there are good opportunities and like-minded people, I intend to gradually expand."
With 'The Red Sleeve,' 'King the Land,' and now 'Typhoon Family,' Lee Junho has achieved double-digit ratings for all his dramas since his military discharge. He shared, "I finally surpassed 10%. I hoped our message would be well-received," and added, "I kept wondering, 'When will we surpass it?' I was thrilled when we finally did."
Lee Junho reflected, "My military service marked a distinction between my 20s and 30s. Before serving, I had a strong desire to achieve everything, but afterward, I felt the need to let go and approach things naturally."
He smiled, "I believe that adopting this attitude of letting go as I age is a virtue." He continued, "Looking back at 'King the Land,' I can see the effort in my acting. I'm sure there are similar moments in 'Typhoon Family.' The love my post-military projects received has been a stepping stone in my acting career. As I gain more composure and broaden my perspective, I believe I can act more comfortably."
Kim Se-ah, TENASIA Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr