Actor Lee Junho recently addressed the mixed reactions to the storyline of 'Taepung Company.'
In a recent interview at a café in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, Lee Junho, who stars in the tvN drama 'Taepung Company,' shared his thoughts on the series.
'Taepung Company' is set during the 1997 IMF crisis and follows the journey of Kang Tae-pung, played by Lee Junho, a novice businessman who unexpectedly becomes the president of a struggling trading company. The series started with a 5.9% viewership rating and concluded with its highest rating of 10.3%. It also maintained the top spot in TV buzz rankings by FUNdex throughout its airing.
Lee Junho commented on the show's historical backdrop, saying, "It was a story with a distinct characteristic of the IMF era. I thought it could serve as a bridge between the generation that experienced those times and those who are less familiar with it." He added, "It was a story I wanted to explore because it captured the romance and love of that era."
However, the series faced mixed reactions from viewers regarding its 'frustrating endings,' as the characters in Taepung Company faced constant challenges. Lee Junho explained, "I pondered the justification for the villains' actions against the protagonist. The lack of a clear reason for the choices made by characters like Pyo Hyun-jun and Pyo Sang-seon was, in itself, the justification."
He continued, "I understand that the opinions of the writer, director, and production company were reflected in the storyline. From an acting perspective, I thought, 'It's entirely possible to create obstacles.' I trusted the director, writer, and production company, even though viewers might find it frustrating."
Lee Junho also noted, "Achieving something and succeeding within half a year or a year can be quite a fantasy in reality. Even though the ending is a happy one, it can also be seen as a fantasy element. I believe the director and writer intended to incorporate narratives from all perspectives."
By Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr