Actor You Need to Know: Lee Jung-ha

Lee Jung-ha has been a part of Korean entertainment for seven years now—his first was a role in the web series Heart Attack Warning, progressing into bit parts in major K-dramas like Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019), Run On (2020), and Nevertheless (2021), a phase of minor appearances, minimal screen time, and meager attention. Though I’m sure Lee saw it as a learning curve to refine himself as an actor, leading up to his breakout role—a pivotal one in the trailblazing web series Moving (2023) adaptation of Kang Full’s same-named smash webtoon—it brought him global fame and a big nod from the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards, bestowing upon him the New Actor Award—TV, in recognition of his superb portrayal.

Moving boasts some of Korea’s finest actors, including Ryu Seung-ryong, Zo In-sung, and Han Hyo-joo, as superhero parents stopping at nothing to protect their superhero kids from nefarious forces. Zo In-sung has Kim Doo-sik, codenamed Moon-san, a sharp, free-swinging black ops agent in the National Intelligence Service (NIS). He’s married to Lee Mi-hyun (Han Hyo-joo), an ex-NIS operative with extraordinary instincts. Lee Jung-ha plays their son, Kim Bong-seok, who inherits his dad’s flying powers and mom’s augmented five senses.

As he contends with his reality and the threats that come with it, Lee paints an awe-inspiring rise from mousy to mighty high school senior Bong-seok. He is burdened by the pounds of weight plates fastened to his legs plus the need to carry a heavy bag most of the time to keep himself from flying—he will take off if he experiences an emotional shift. He’s obligated to eat a lot to put on weight—another tactic to keep him down and hide his powers from the rampant world. However, when villains hunt him and others like him, he’s pushed to release his skill set. 

Lee probed Bong-seok’s psyche thoroughly to comprehend his fears and desires. He strived to give him depth and realism rather than just a superficial depiction on-screen. His attention to detail in learning the character’s history, analyzing his habits, and understanding his journey is discernible. Maybe the actor is a stickler for perfection. In an interview with The Korea Herald, Lee said that using makeup and special effects to replicate Bong-seok’s physical appearance was not a viable option, so he gained 30 kilograms to take on Bong-seok’s hefty form, with Korean ramen, such as Buldak Spicy Chicken noodles, being the secret to the weight gain.

Moving signifies an exciting turnaround chapter in Lee Jung-ha’s life and a solid endorsement of his acting prowess. Added to his sheer talent, his willingness to take chances has fostered his fame as an actor. Pushing past limits through his artistic choices, the guy isn’t scared of embracing unconventional and challenging roles. His performance sets a precedent, whether he’s playing a complex-troubled character or experimenting with uncommon stories and narrative techniques like Moving. His work in the series unmistakably showcased his versatility and range while also shedding light on the evolving landscape of K-dramas.