[INTERVIEW] Lee Jun-ho redefines role in period romance drama 'The Red Sleeve'

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Tue, September 26, 2023 | 12:13

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEWLee Jun-ho redefines role in period romance drama 'The Red Sleeve'

Posted : 2022-01-05 17:06

Updated : 2022-01-09 10:36

Lee Jun-ho plays the role of Crown Prince Yi San in MBC's period romance series, "The Red Sleeve." Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

By Lee Gyu-lee

Last year had been prolific for singer and actor Lee Jun-ho, who is also from the K-pop boy group, 2PM, as he successfully balanced his music and acting careers shortly after finishing his two-year mandatory military service.

Since releasing his album, "MUST," he also starred in MBC's period romance series, "The Red Sleeve."

The series, which kicked off with a 5.7-percent rating in November, soon garnered popularity and ended in great success on Saturday, with its record viewership rating at 17.4 percent. Its lead actors, Lee Jun-ho and Lee Se-young, notched the Top Excellence Award and Best Couple Award at the 2021 MBC Drama Awards for their roles.

"I have been waiting so long to make my comeback as a singer and as an actor (while serving the military)…… Then, I came across the script for 'The Red Sleeve.' It was interesting because I finished the script in one sitting and because it's a fictional story based on a real historical figure," Lee Jun-ho said during an interview with The Korea Times, Monday.

"I did have pressure, not in a negative way. But I did feel that if I do this one well, it's going to be a really fun project. I was just happy to take the role."

Based on the romance novel of the same name by Kang Mi-kang, the series follows a love story between Crown Prince Yi San (Lee Jun-ho), who later becomes King Jeongjo, and a court lady named Sung Deok-im (Lee Se-young).

Lee Jun-ho plays a scrupulous, uncompromising prince who ascends to the throne after his father's tragic death. He is determined to be a good leader to his people, even if it means being hard on himself. But when he meets Doek-im, who is strong-willed in transcending the limits she faces as a court lady, he struggles to make choices between his duty to his people and love.

A scene from the series / Courtesy of MBC

The actor expressed that portraying a character that is based on a highly respected historical figure ― King Jeongjo ― put a lot of pressure on him.

"The only focus for me was to fully get into the character of Jeongjo. Because he was such a beloved king in history and many great actors have played the figure in the past, I did feel the weight from taking the role," he said. "But, regardless, I wanted to portray him in my own style. I just had in mind that if I pull it off well, it's going to work out."

The story follows the life of King Jeonjo from when he was an ambitious, passionate crown prince to his final years as a king.

The actor said he tried to portray the character differently depending on the character's specific age, from his pitch, to even facial expressions and gestures.

"When the character is a crown prince, I tried to show his passionate, sharp look that had a roughness," he said. "But when he sits on the throne, I tried to lose that look to portray him as a charismatic king… I tried to pay attention to the details."

Lee Jun-ho expressed that he has not gotten fully out of the character, even though it's been quite a while since the series finished filming.

"There was this energy I got from the set. It was such a blissful time with everyone working so hard to make this series… and I still haven't gotten out of the moment yet," he said. "I feel like it's going to take a while. It's a bittersweet feeling and sometimes feels empty, but I'm really grateful for all the love the series has gotten from the viewers."

gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr