Dear Hongrang star Lee Jae Wook reveals his ‘jealous personality,’ says Park Ji Hoon’s Weak Hero made him envious: ‘It could become poison’

Also read: Dear Hongrang ending explained: 7 burning questions answered in Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah story finale

Lee explained that when he’s alone, he often binges on new shows and pictures himself in their shoes, wondering how he would have performed. “I always think about how I’d act in those roles. Then I get jealous, thinking, ‘Why didn’t that script come to me?’ That’s probably why I keep working without rest,” he laughed. For Lee, he completed Tangeum fueled by that same power of jealousy, determined to show his acting skills so well that no one would think of anyone but Lee Jae-wook as “Hongrang”, and maybe even spark a little envy.

Also read: Dear Hongrang star Jo Bo Ah reveals nickname she gave to Lee Jae Wook, shares why she keeps distance from male co-stars

Lee Jae Wook initially declined Dear Hongrang

In Dear Hongrang, Lee Jae Wook plays the long-lost son of Joseon’s wealthiest merchant family. He returns after a decade with no memories. Opposite him is Jo Bo Ah as Jae Yi, his half-sister, who suspects this newly returned family member and is convinced he’s not her brother. In a talk with Dispatch, Lee revealed he initially turned down Hongrang’s script because he had already done two historical hits, Alchemy of Souls and Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow. But what changed his mind was a handwritten note from writer Kim Jin-ah. Lee said the letter was five or six pages long, where the writer carefully described Hongrang’s onscreen personality and his character arc.

“She explained Hongrang’s character and gave detailed feedback on my acting. I read that letter overseas and cried my heart out,” he said. “I was grateful there was a writer who saw me so closely. That’s when I reopened the script. I joined with the desire to express Hongrang’s pain after unimaginable torture.”

Lee’s character Jang Uk from Alchemy of Souls is one of his most widely praised roles globally. So when news of him signing a new historical drama broke, fans naturally expected him to return in the same avatar. But the actor surprised them with a darker role. Comparing the two characters, he explained, “Jang Uk was a growing character. Hongrang’s story starts after he has already grown. I pushed through without confusion about the character’s nature.” On the other hand, for Hongrang, he said, “I tried to bring out Hongrang’s sharpness. I had to convince viewers with minimal lines. I aimed to show restraint. And I added the detail that Jae Yi was always at the end of his gaze.”

Lee Jae Wook took his first role at the age of 21. He’s 27 now, with six leading roles already under his belt. The actor revealed he watched Weak Hero Class 1, led by Park Ji-hoon, and felt a twinge of jealousy, spending time thinking about what he would have done if he played that character. “I think the reason I work without rest is also because of jealousy. Since I’m just watching other works and feeling jealous, I think I’m motivated to work quickly.” Lee is currently planning to enlist in the military and wants to belt out as many shows as he can.