[Dispatch : Reporter Jung Tae-yun] "It's not exactly my era, but…"

Lee Jun-hyuk has been walking his path steadily, without rushing. Even with his recent surge in popularity, he remains grounded. Popularity was never the reason for his passion for acting. His filmography proves it.

He didn't hesitate to play a man in his 50s in his 30s (Stranger) or gain 20kg to stand against Ma Dong-seok in The Roundup 3. His performances have always been about showing new faces and exploring diverse genres.

Now, in his 19th year as an actor, he's finally taken on his first romantic lead—something that came (much) later than for most actors. The result?

The drama surpassed 12% viewership, topped both reputation and buzz charts, and fans declared it the "beginning of Lee Jun-hyuk's era." But the actor humbly waved it off.

"I've been acting for a long time. I guess my time came naturally, like a lighthouse shining its light. Maybe I'm just a character that gives hope to my fellow long-time actors."

Let's listen to more from him.

My Perfect Rom-Com

Lee Jun-hyuk is mostly known for his work in thrillers and serious dramas. Notably, his role as Seo Dong-jae in Stranger elevated him from a supporting actor to the protagonist of a spin-off. He played a sly yet charming opportunist who was impossible to hate.

But what fans were truly waiting for was a romantic comedy. His fair complexion and sharp features already made him perfect for rom-coms, even while starring in thrillers.

However, Lee Jun-hyuk had his doubts. "I gained 20kg for The Roundup 3, and right after that, I was offered a rom-com. It made me question things. Maybe the way I see myself is different from how others see me," he confessed.

"Some directors thought I was naturally witty, like Dong-jae in Stranger. I guess I did well enough to confuse them," he added with a smile. "It's probably why I get to try different roles now."

When asked why he hadn't done a romance earlier, he explained, "Back then, everyone wanted to do thrillers. At my age now, I'm two years older than Choi Min-sik was when he filmed Oldboy. We all aspired to be like him."

"As a result, I ended up doing a lot of intense roles. I think my taste for unconventional characters also played a role. But now, stories about ordinary life feel fresh and special to me."

My Perfect Character: The Unicorn Lead

In SBS's Love Scout, Lee Jun-hyuk plays Yoo Eun-ho, a perfect secretary to headhunting company CEO Kang Ji-yoon (played by Han Ji-min). It's a close-care romance where the two characters gradually develop feelings for each other.

Eun-ho is the ultimate "unicorn" lead—a man who excels at everything: looks, personality, work skills, and even household chores. Every time he walks by, a refreshing breeze seems to follow, turning heads.

"I had to lose a lot of weight to avoid looking older, and I tried to keep my mindset light and fresh," he said with a laugh. "For scenes where people praised Eun-ho's looks, I had to act shamelessly confident."

He also did plenty of homework by studying other rom-coms. "It's not so different from the action thrillers I've done. The main audience is different, but the structure is similar."

"In action, the key impact point is someone getting killed. In a rom-com, it's a kiss. The rhythm and the way you persuade the audience are quite similar."

My Perfect Challenge: Creating Depth

Not everything about rom-coms was easy. One of his biggest concerns was how to keep his character engaging. "In the first episode, Eun-ho's character is clear. But once he becomes Ji-yoon's secretary, he loses some of that purpose."

"When problems arise in the company, Eun-ho's role becomes about supporting others. He ends up as the supporting character for every other role, which could make him seem boring."

To add some unpredictability, he introduced moments of spontaneity. For example, the scene where Eun-ho picks up Ji-yoon's daughter in a playful cartoonish way was his idea.

"I approached the drama like it was a piece of music, and I thought of Eun-ho as the bass line. He's a steady character who plays on beat, but I tried to add little variations to make him more dynamic."

My Perfect Actor: Lee Jun-hyuk

With both ratings and buzz in hand, Lee Jun-hyuk reflected on the drama: "I think creating a drama is about working as a team to make something that doesn't exist feel real. Our team did a fantastic job."

For the first time, he acted as a "handsome lead" with a polished image. In contrast, his previous roles were far from glamorous—a 50-something middle-aged man in Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard and a sleazy boss in The Roundup 3.

"In my 20s, I often played 40-year-olds. Back then, my mature looks worked in my favor," he recalled. "When I did I Am Legend, I played a father who was eight years older than actress Kim Jung-eun."

"At the time, I was obsessed with method acting. Senior actors told me to drink every day, skip sleep, and smoke heavily to look older, and I took it seriously. Haha."

His passion for acting has led him to where he is today. His next projects include the mystery thriller The Art of Sarah and the **office drama Lotto 1st Place Winner Goes to Work Too.

When asked about his philosophy on acting, Lee Jun-hyuk said, "I used to have a fantasy of not being recognized for each role. I was inspired by the movie I'm Not There. I wanted to disappear into each character."

"But I realized I couldn't do it alone. It takes more than 100 people on set to create something real and believable. When the audience believes it, that's the most exciting part. After doing this for so long, I guess it's finally my time to shine, like a lighthouse guiding me."

Photo Credit: Ace Factory