Actor Lee Bong-jun is going viral for a shocking performance that gripped global viewers, and he just dropped behind-the-scenes photos that reveal a jaw-dropping contrast to his on-screen persona.
On the 19th, Lee shared Netflix original Teach You a Lesson stills and candid shots from set on his Instagram.
In the photos, Lee Bong-jun looks terrifying in a prison uniform and, at other times, appears in a school uniform for court and classroom scenes. But off camera, he flashes a bright V-sign and shows an adorably cheerful side, amplifying his unexpected duality.
Fans at home and abroad reacted intensely, saying things like, "His acting gave me chills" and "Your character had me maddd," showing just how immersed they were.
In Teach You a Lesson, which premiered on the 5th, Lee plays Jo Gyu-cheol, a paroled inmate who re-enrolls at Jinwon High School. Hiding behind a fake show of remorse while radiating an icy madness, he fiercely confronts Na Hwa-jin (played by Kim Mu-yeol), driving the story’s core tension.
Wrapping the project, Lee Bong-jun said, "I’m grateful that so many people are paying attention to this work, where senior and fellow actors and all the staff prepared intensely and filmed with joy every step of the way," adding, "It’s extremely cautious and difficult to portray someone like Jo Gyu-cheol, a person who should never exist in society, but thank you for the tremendous interest. I will keep working hard to deliver good acting anytime, anywhere."
Lee’s nuanced expression comes from a wealth of experience across stage and screen. He debuted in the musical Jesus and went on to shine in the musical The Sorrows of Young Werther, Mad Hatter, and the play Bad Magnet, before expanding into TV and film with Youth of May, Alchemy of Souls, Chief Detective 1958, Witch, Resident Playbook, and Running Mate, building a diverse filmography.
Riding the momentum of his breakout villain turn, Lee Bong-jun is currently meeting audiences as Noah in the musical Mad Hatter, now on stage at TOM Theater in Daehak-ro.