Actor Lee Joon-hyuk recently shared his thoughts and reflections on wrapping up the TVING series ‘Lotto 1st Place Also Goes to Work’.
On the 13th, Lee Joon-hyuk sat down for an interview at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss the conclusion of the drama.
‘Lotto 1st Place Also Goes to Work’ follows Kong Eun-tae, a team leader who has been constantly squeezed from top to bottom, as he wins the 1st prize in the lottery and heads to work with 1.3 billion won instead of a resignation letter. Lee Joon-hyuk took on the role of Kong Eun-tae, the lottery winner.
When asked about his feelings on the show’s end, Lee Joon-hyuk laughed and said, “I was filming until yesterday so I wasn’t quite aware of the reactions, but seeing so many people here now makes me realize the drama received a lot of love.”>
Comparing this project to his previous works, Kong Eun-tae is a regular office worker dealing with everyday fatigue and sorrows. When asked how he researched the role, he explained, “Actually, the roles I’ve played until now involved a lot more character play. I mostly played supporting roles, standing out right next to the main character. Eun-tae feels like the first time I am truly playing a main lead.”>
Mentioning his past leading roles, Lee Joon-hyuk noted, “Dong-jae was a spin-off, and even as the main lead, I felt there was a framework of Hwang Si-mok. With Eun-tae, it feels like I can portray something much closer to my actual self. I used to play a lot of murderers or mentally unstable people, so it was much more comfortable in that regard.”>
Although Eun-tae is an office worker character, Lee Joon-hyuk stated he didn’t make a huge distinction from his actual acting life. He explained, “I wondered if a figure like Eun-tae really doesn’t exist in reality. I think they do. The director and I approached it that way. I previously mentioned in an interview that I wanted to do a project like ‘Sully’, but lately I’ve been thinking about works dealing with societal absurdities and what kind of vision we should receive. I tried to show that inside and out in this project, but I don’t think I can match Eun-tae. I actually complain a little more.”>
When asked if he, like Eun-tae, has ever experienced a moment that felt like winning the lottery in his acting career, Lee Joon-hyuk responded, “Since making a living is important, my first project felt like the lottery because it was my first. When I wondered if I’d be able to do a next project, the incoming offers all felt like the lottery. Is there a next time? Oh, what a relief. Isn’t it like that? Even so, my mind isn’t as completely at ease as Eun-tae’s, but I’ve had that kind of good fortune.”>
Regarding whether he invests in stocks like ordinary office workers, he waved his hands and said, “I tried it once because it was such a trend, but it didn’t seem right for me. I don’t have the time to look into those things, nor is it my taste, so I don’t think I’d succeed at it.”>
Lee Joon-hyuk has a lineup of diverse upcoming projects, including the occult SBS drama ‘Awakening’, director Jang Jae-hyun’s mystery occult film ‘Vampire’, and the office romance ‘Tepid Lies’.
Explaining his reason for taking on various genres, Lee Joon-hyuk confessed, “I get bored very quickly. Because I get so bored, I want to show a different vibe, and sometimes I get tired of it beforehand. When you watch a movie, you don’t want to watch anything else, but having to look at the same thing for six months can get exhausting.”>
He continued, “It was fun, but also frustrating. Eun-tae doesn’t really have moments of emotional release. I joined wanting to try that, but there are times when I want to try something else. That’s why I want to challenge myself with various genres, and by doing so, I realize how much hardship other people go through. It makes me more humble.”>
He also shared his experience filming ‘Awakening’, saying, “I entered the occult genre quite boldly, but I realized it’s no joke. I was pulling all-nighters constantly. I chose it because I judged that it’s rare for an SBS Fri-Sat drama to feature such a hardcore occult theme, thinking, ‘Hasn’t something like this been missing for years?’ But there truly were no references to look back on.”>
Lee Joon-hyuk added, “A priest’s outfit is even hotter than a suit. I worked hard with a devout mindset. As for the visuals, the camera team will make it look great.”>
