As Netflix series If Wishes Could Kill continues its global run, public attention is laser-focused on actor Lee Hyo-je and his shocking transformation.
In If Wishes Could Kill, which dropped on the 24th of last month, Lee plays Hyeong-uk, a mischievous, people-loving teen who’s the first to get entangled with a mysterious ‘Girego’ app. To embody the role, he reportedly gained over 20 kg (about 44 lbs), committing so fully that even his physique perfectly matched the character.
On screen, Lee charts Hyeong-uk’s descent into fear with remarkable precision, using his eyes, expressions, and even subtle facial tremors to convey the shift. In particular, he draws a dense, explosive emotional arc amid chaos, boosting immersion and grounding the story’s opening with raw urgency and dread.
After the release, online communities and social media lit up with side-by-side comparisons of his on-screen look and his tall, striking real-life visuals, sparking comments like “Is that really the same person?”, “He was an ‘unscratched lottery ticket,’” and “Why does he look so tall and handsome in real life?”
Lee Hyo-je debuted in 2014 with the film We Are Brothers and made a strong impression as the young crown prince in The Throne. He went on to build a solid filmography with projects like the drama Taxi Driver 3. With If Wishes Could Kill, he once again proves his overwhelming presence, cementing his status as a next-generation powerhouse actor.
With his bold transformation shocking audiences, all eyes are on what Lee Hyo-je will do next.