Shocking confession before the premiere: actor Lee Jun-young, teasing a bold new acting transformation, shared his fierce resolve just days before the first episode airs.
On the 28th, JTBC held the press conference for its new Saturday-Sunday drama Sinipsawon Kang Hoejang (hereafter 'Kang Chairman'). Director Ko Hye-jin, along with actors Lee Jun-young, Lee Joo-myung, Jeon Hye-jin, and Jin Goo, attended and talked at length about the project.
'Kang Chairman' tells the story of Kang Yong-ho (played by Son Hyun-joo), the chairman of a conglomerate who, after an unexpected accident, is forced to begin an unwanted second run at life — a do-over life narrative.
Lee Jun-young drew attention by choosing this drama as his final project before enlistment. Describing his role as the hot-blooded youth Hwang Jun-hyeon, he said, "He’s passionate, upright, and a rising prospect in the soccer world. He has such a good heart that he can’t stand injustice."
He continued, "By contrast, Kang Yong-ho is stubborn, but he lives convinced that everything he does is for his company and his child. The sharply different tones of these two characters will come through in a fun way on screen."
In particular, Lee had to pull off so-called possession-style acting, channeling Son Hyun-joo’s spirit. "Before the full script read, I spent about six hours having a meal and talking with senior actor Son Hyun-joo. That’s when I set the basic framework of the performance and kept checking in with the director for confirmation," he revealed, describing the intense preparation.
He added, "I watched countless projects and commercials featuring him, but I didn’t try to force it like a vocal impersonation," recalling, "To let things flow naturally, I would even joke around on set using his trademark speech patterns in everyday moments."
Asked if Son Hyun-joo offered any advice, Lee shared a heartwarming anecdote: "On the first day of filming, he called and said, 'From now on, you’re Kang Yong-ho, so do it the way you want. Don’t make it too hard.' After seeing me act, I think he was satisfied in his own way."
Lee also explained why he chose a genre outside the familiar realm of romance. "Some people around me were puzzled, but I’ve always enjoyed a challenge," he said. "I was 29 during filming, and I went into it thinking, 'Let’s burn through my twenties in the boldest way possible.'"
"Honestly, it was daunting to perform with the soul of a national-legend actor like Son Hyun-joo," he admitted. "But I didn’t want to get scared, back off, and regret it later. Telling myself, 'Just crash into it and feel it,' became my biggest justification."
Meanwhile, 'Kang Chairman,' where Lee Jun-young’s acting grit is set to shine, will premiere on May 30 at 10:40 p.m. KST on JTBC and will also be available via TVING.