Lee Jun-ho: Stripping Away the Legacy to Find the Actor

To truly understand the metamorphosis of Lee Jun-ho, you have to look past the charming smile that defined an era of K-drama romance. The 2PM star-turned-actor is currently orchestrating a deliberate shift toward roles that demand blood, sweat, and a fair amount of psychological darkness. Far from the polished soundbites of a global idol, and stripping away the layers of chaebol-cool that have followed him since King the Land (2023), Lee opens up to Rolling Stone India about the weight of his own legacy.

“I think it’s simply a natural progression,” he says with the calm of a man who has outgrown his comfort zone. In a refreshingly frank interview, he chooses to bypass the usual PR-friendly scripts to discuss the raw hunger driving his new era, which is as much about finding himself as it is about finding a new character. This isn’t a pivot away from his roots, but a reach for a higher peak. “I’m drawn to creating new characters and enjoy exploring new projects as a way of delivering new messages. Even if, in hindsight, the characters or messages overlap, the act of pursuing creativity is what is truly important to me.”

This pursuit of a “steeper mountain” has led him to the high-stakes world of Cashero (2025), where he plays Kang Sang-woong, a superhero whose bank balance dictates his power. It’s a role that requires a punishing level of physical discipline, but for Lee Jun-ho, the action is just another form of dialogue. “I want to show the audience that I’ve become the character entirely, from head to toe, portraying the finest details,” he explains. He’s meticulous about the weight of every movement, insisting that “nothing should feel hollow or without purpose. If I can convince the audience that I’m truly one with the character, I believe it would also allow them to be fully immersed in that moment until the very end.”

Lee loves that Cashero isn’t your average, glossy superhero story. Instead of a hero who exists above the law of consequences, possessing powers that feel free and effortless, his character is stuck with a very human problem: he must quite literally pay the price (in cash) every time he wants to do good. He believes that while there is a classic theme in the superhero genre that “with great power comes great responsibility,” Cashero best illustrates that overarching arc in the “most innovative way possible.” It’s a performance that required him to balance superhuman feats with the very human stress of an empty wallet. He admits with a grin, “I’ve never seen a story where a superhero literally pays money to use his powers. This unique setup was incredibly compelling to me.”

But Lee is just as interested in the battles fought without superpowers — the ones where the only weapons you have are your own resilience and emotion. This drive for high-density storytelling led him to the period drama Typhoon Family (2025), where he plays Kang Tae-poong, a man navigating the wreckage of the 1997 IMF crisis. The role was an emotional marathon, taking him from a “carefree, well-off figure” in Apgujeong to a man “suddenly shouldering the burdens of his family and company.” For an actor who thrives on intensity, that kind of volatility was the real draw. “Because he goes through an emotional rollercoaster — joy, anger, and sorrow — it was freeing to play him,” he reflects. “Overall, it was fun to play Kang Tae-poong because he’s a character true to his feelings.”

And now, the actor is preparing for the bigger picture: his next role in the legendary Veteran film franchise alongside the acclaimed Hwang Jung-min. This sequel isn’t like any other; it’s a series known for its iconic, unsettling villains, and Lee is the next in line to bring that mayhem to life. Taking over the mantle of the antagonist from Yoo Ah-in (Veteran, 2015) and Jung Hae-in (Veteran 2, 2024) in Veteran 3, he says, “It’s definitely a meaningful milestone for an actor in his 30s, marking a new chapter in his career and embracing new challenges.” He’s particularly hyped to explore “the role of the villain,” adding that “the exciting part of acting comes from adopting new roles that I haven’t tried out before and discovering a new side of myself.” After playing beloved roles like Gu Won in King the Land and Yi San in The Red Sleeve (2021), stepping into an “uncharted territory” as a character described as “evil to the bone” is exactly the kind of creative risk, or reset, he craves.

That same hunger is exactly what fueled his decision to take the reins of his own career behind the scenes. Despite his skyrocketing global fame — with Cashero hitting #1 on the Netflix Global Top 10 for Non-English TV series — and the launch of his own agency, O3 Collective, Lee stays in his own lane. He’s clear that “not a lot has changed in the way I choose projects.” He remains a leader who values the collective, stating, “I’ve always been eager to rise up to challenges, set ambitions, and make the most out of collaborations — this vision will remain unchanged as I lead O3 Collective. I want like-minded artists to enjoy a sense of fulfilment from the work we create together.”

His desire to share the win with others is why he doesn’t seem particularly rattled by the expectations currently resting on his shoulders. You can sense a genuine calm when he talks about this new chapter. He’s managed to find a sweet spot between the madness of global stardom and his own personal pace. As for the pressure of a global audience watching and scrutinizing his work, he chooses gratitude over anxiety. “I feel a deep sense of gratitude and pride, knowing that fans are tuning in from around the world. It motivates me to keep moving forward and share as many projects as possible. Rather than feeling pressure, I try to embrace each project with enjoyment and a sense of responsibility.”

A similar mindfulness shapes his creative orbit, especially when it comes to choosing the narrative language of his next project. When you ask him to choose between the adrenaline of action and the intimacy of romance, he looks for the “message” above all else. “Right now, rather than choosing between action and romance, I’m drawn to projects with deeper narratives and a high density of storytelling. In the end, the ‘language’ of acting I find fulfilling is the message of the work itself.”

And to stay grounded amid the chaos, he returns to his first love: music. His latest song, “Four Seasons (Always),” marking his 2026 fan concerts, serves as his personal reset button. “Music is an inseparable part of my life,” he says. “As an actor, I devote myself to portraying a character’s emotions, while as a singer, I can solely focus on my inner emotions and the present moment, which helps me organize my thoughts and feelings.” And by keeping his internal world organized and his artistic mission clear, Lee is effectively future-proofing his career. 

Looking toward the next decade, he isn’t interested in just being a star; he wants to be a benchmark. “I want to be remembered as an actor who establishes a high level of trust with the audience,” he concludes with conviction, finally adding that he’s chasing a legacy where “Lee Jun-ho” isn’t just a name, but a promise of quality for a project you can’t afford to miss.