Lee Jong-hyun Reflects on His Role in 'The Gentleman Project' as the Series Concludes

Actor Lee Jong-hyun shares his thoughts as 'The Gentleman Project' wraps up.

Lee Jong-hyun played the role of Baek Seung-moo in the recently concluded tvN series 'The Gentleman Project' (directed by Shin Kyung-soo, written by Ban Ki-ri). His character was manipulated by a cold-hearted mother and became embroiled in a rental scam.

Baek Seung-moo was abandoned at an orphanage as a child and grew up with deep emotional scars due to his mother's repeated betrayals. Lee Jong-hyun portrayed the psychological changes of Baek Seung-moo, who feared abandonment yet craved his mother's love, through subtle expressions and restrained acting, adding depth to the character.

He effectively conveyed the complex emotions of a son turned scammer due to his mother's betrayal, using suppressed glances, a dry tone of voice, and subtle facial changes, solidifying his presence in the series.

Regarding his role, Lee Jong-hyun expressed through his agency, Gold Medalist, "It was an honor to be part of such a meaningful project. I tried not to make the character appear too dark despite his upbringing in an orphanage, and I'm curious how viewers perceived it."

Previously cast as the lead Kim Se-hyun in the TVING original series 'Study Group,' based on a webtoon of the same name, Lee Jong-hyun has garnered industry attention for his stable acting skills and expressive eyes, proving his potential for growth. His performance in 'The Gentleman Project' further showcased his development as an actor.

Meanwhile, 'The Gentleman Project' is a dispute resolution hero drama featuring Shin Sa-jang (played by Han Seok-kyu), a former legendary negotiator turned chicken restaurant owner with mysterious secrets. The series captivated audiences by resolving various incidents in an era of communication breakdowns, leaving a lasting impression.

The final episode of 'The Gentleman Project' achieved a nationwide household rating of 8.6%, peaking at 9.9%, securing the top spot across all channels, including terrestrial networks, during its time slot.