Rising Star Lee Joo-bin Talks 'Spring Fever' Success and Future Plans
"I do want to start a YouTube channel, but I tend to overthink things, which often tires me out (laughs). I feel like I just need to dive in to get started."

On the 13th, at a cafe in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, Lee Joo-bin shared her thoughts during a wrap-up interview for tvN's 'Spring Fever.' Besides discussing the drama, she also opened up about her personal life. Lee Joo-bin is not only loved as an actress but also garners significant attention in the fashion and beauty sectors, boasting 2.07 million Instagram followers.

'Spring Fever,' based on a web novel of the same name, tells the story of a cold-hearted teacher, Yoon Bom (played by Lee Joo-bin), and a passionate man, Sun Jae-kyu (played by Ahn Bo-hyun), whose romance thaws their frozen hearts. The drama concluded on the 10th with a peak rating of 5.7% (Nielsen Korea, paid households), marking a successful end.

Rising Star Lee Joo-bin Talks 'Spring Fever' Success and Future Plans
In the drama, Lee Joo-bin played Yoon Bom, an ethics teacher at Shinsu High School and a self-imposed outsider with a frozen heart. Once lively, she was deeply scarred by false accusations of an affair. Meeting Sun Jae-kyu in Shinsu-eup, she gradually opens up, clears her name, and overcomes her past wounds. Lee Joo-bin's nuanced portrayal of a character transforming through love received praise.

Debuting in 2017 with SBS's 'Whisper,' Lee Joo-bin was previously known as a DSP Media girl group trainee. Although she started her acting career relatively late, she has steadily built her filmography and expanded her presence. Her role as a supporting lead in tvN's 'Queen of Tears' in 2024 boosted her recognition, followed by leading roles in tvN's 'Divorce Insurance' and KBS2's 'Twelve.'

Despite high expectations for her first leading roles, both projects did not achieve the anticipated success. However, in 'Spring Fever,' she was praised for adding her unique touch to the original material, solidifying her position as a leading actress.

Rising Star Lee Joo-bin Talks 'Spring Fever' Success and Future Plans
About two years ago, during an interview after 'Queen of Tears,' Lee Joo-bin expressed her desire to connect more with the public. She modestly stated, "I don't think I've fully achieved that yet. I need to try harder. Currently, I only share project photos or occasional glimpses of my daily life on social media." She added, "Seeing others actively engage with fans makes me think I should be more proactive too."

"I'm grateful that my projects are doing well, which brings attention and love my way. I hope to connect with fans in other ways besides acting. Fan meetings, variety shows, or other events and platforms could be possibilities. I'll need to discuss this further with my agency."

Rising Star Lee Joo-bin Talks 'Spring Fever' Success and Future Plans
Lee Joo-bin is also receiving significant attention outside of her acting career. With over 2 million social media followers, she is a sought-after figure in fashion and beauty events. While a personal YouTube channel could generate a strong response, she has yet to launch one.

Lee Joo-bin remarked, "Seeing other actors engage with fans in various ways is impressive. I'd like to try live broadcasts to hear directly from fans about their thoughts and expectations. However, I'm cautious about making mistakes, so I'm still hesitant."

Rising Star Lee Joo-bin Talks 'Spring Fever' Success and Future Plans
Despite her introverted nature, Lee Joo-bin has consistently worked for nine years. She explained, "I enjoy new experiences. Acting allows me to meet new environments and people with each project. While this might be a downside for some, it's a strength for me."

"There's pressure, but the anticipation of working in new environments I haven't experienced before is very appealing to me. The more I do it, the more I learn and grow, gaining confidence along the way. That's been the driving force behind my consistent work, and it's why I want to continue in this field."

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr
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