Actor Lee Je-hoon (41) has transformed into an employee of a global investment company.
The film 'Soju War', which was released on the 30th of last month, depicts the story of the 1997 IMF financial crisis, where the financial director Jong-rok, for whom soju is life, confronts In-beom, an employee of a global investment firm who only pursues results, risking the fate of soju for the people of South Korea. Lee Je-hoon plays Choi In-beom, an employee of a global investment company trying to swallow up National Treasure Soju.
After the film's release, Lee Je-hoon said, "After the release, when I attended the stage greeting and saw fans come out, and when I saw their eyes filled with excitement after watching the movie, I felt that we worked hard and did well. Seeing positive reviews has also been encouraging for me."
Regarding the film's debut at third place in the weekend box office, he expressed, "I feel a bit disappointed that there seems to be a lack of audience in theaters. It's unfortunate that a film I participated in is released, but the turnout is not as high as I expected. I think we need to look at it in the long term. While movies can be experienced through various devices, the moment they resonate deeply as an emotional experience is when they are seen on the big screen with good sound. I emphasize that you should watch 'Soju War' in theaters."
He continued, "'Soju War' tells a story that can apply to the conflicts and friendships of people with different values in life. I also experienced the IMF in reality. During my school years and early twenties, I witnessed my family's economic crisis, as my father was self-employed and struggled, working as a day laborer, so it didn't feel like someone else's story; it resonated with me. Looking back at the situation 20 years later, I hope many people can relate to the ethical and moral decay, even though the world has developed and perspectives have broadened. I believe this film is valuable in that it raises such issues and will be remembered as an entertainer, something we can revisit later."
Regarding the character In-beom, he said, "I wanted to show the desire of In-beom, who enters the financial world without connections and grows from the bottom. At the same time, I feel that the value of life through work is sufficient as a means of making money, but seeing Jong-rok, who is portrayed as someone who sacrifices for the company, evokes a duality in me. In-beom is a character with ambition, but he also sees the unfairness in others who cheat. He believes he has his own line. There was a duality, and I think I was greedy to have both. I want to earn money while offsetting my conscience and being respected by others."
Regarding the reaction that he might come off as unlikable, he said, "I wanted to look cool," and added, "As the movie progresses, In-beom gets deceived. I wanted to follow the protagonist's transformation, and I was actually looking forward to the outcome of feeling betrayal as I read the script. The reality is that there are many situations that are worse than that. Many people may have experienced unexpected betrayals while engaging in economic activities. Don't be deceived," he said playfully.
How did he prepare for the English lines? He stated, "I'm not good at English, and there are so many economic terms that are new to me. So, of course, I wanted the character to sound professional, even though he was educated in Korea and went abroad to study and work. I constantly listened to the guidance of a teacher who taught me English and tried to express In-beom's lines as best as I could."
He added, "I may have had shortcomings, but I hoped that viewers wouldn't feel uncomfortable. So, I practiced the script and pronunciation every day, varying the speed as much as possible, trying to perfect it on set. Everyone viewed my lines positively, so it was challenging but I was happy to film."
When asked about thoughts on entering Hollywood, he joked, "If I saw even a slight possibility, I would be positive about it. If such a situation arises, it would be another challenge. I think I need to put in more effort."
He also mentioned his collaboration with Chinese-American Hollywood actor Byron Mann.
He said, "When I worked with Byron Mann, it felt like I was conversing with someone from the financial sector. He immersed himself in the role to the extent that I felt like I was filming a Hollywood movie while shooting a Korean film, showcasing a strong presence that allowed me to delve deeper into the character of In-beom."
He expressed respect for Yoo Hae-jin, who showcased a bromance in 'Soju War.'
Lee Je-hoon said, "Yoo Hae-jin is one of the actors who spans the era of Korean cinema from the early to mid-1990s to the 2000s. His presence is indispensable when explaining Korean cinema. I have been watching him since 'The Attack on the Gas Station' and have admired him. I was very excited to have the opportunity to work with senior Yoo Hae-jin. During the process of working together, he was humorous and had a great sense of wordplay, which made for many joyful moments. I wanted to emulate how he makes people feel comfortable with his charm, and seeing him finish each day with a smile made me want to be like him. The friendship and conflict depicted in the film are very prominent. Rather than feeling tense, I was able to act comfortably while watching my senior. Every moment with senior Yoo Hae-jin was comfortable and pleasant, and I hope it lasts a long time."
He continued, "Even when we weren't filming, seeing him in private was the same, and he remained consistent. I hope to be someone who can make people laugh and engage through wordplay like him. When filming a movie, there is usually a precise plan in the storyboard, but in scenes with my senior, the prepared parts can become warm and expressive. Watching him strive to move naturally and seek solutions was a great inspiration. It was even better than I expected, and I feel a strong attachment to the film because of that. I hope to collaborate with seniors in another film with different characters."
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
