Lee Jun Young: From a criticized idol to a prime-time drama actor

Lee Jun Young is gradually establishing his position with a series of impressive roles on the Korean screen. However, few people know that the actor once faced harsh attacks such as: "Don't harm real actors."

Lee Jun Young sparks curiosity with his "double life" storyline in Reborn Rookie.

Photo: Provided byFPT Play

In MC Lee Ji Young's YouTube program broadcast on May 20th, Lee Jun Young shared his journey of transitioning from a K-pop idol to a professional actor. The 1997-born artist currently plays the lead role in the new drama "Reborn Rookie," a series adapted from the popular web novel by author San Kyeong, airing on JTBC.

Lee Jun Young struggled through over 100 auditions.

Recalling his debut with the group U-KISS in 2014, Lee Jun Young said that the reality of showbiz is much harsher than he imagined. "I used to think that just debuting would end all the difficulties, but that wasn't the case. I stumbled a lot," he shared. When asked about his transition to acting in 2017, the actor admitted that he faced immense pressure and prejudice from the public. Not only was his ability doubted, but Lee Jun Young also received many harsh comments targeting his idol background.

"Someone bluntly told me not to harm actors who are genuinely taking their profession seriously. Those words hurt me deeply," he recounted. The actor said that many people often think idols easily get acting opportunities, but in reality, he had to audition more than 100 times, starting from the smallest roles. "I felt that if I gave up, I would become a failure," Lee Jun Young added.

In recent years, Lee Jun Young has gradually made a name for himself as a talented actor through a series of projects such as Weak Hero Class 2, Mask Girl , and DP. His versatile acting abilities have made him one of the most noteworthy idol-turned-actors in South Korea today. Notably, during the interview, Lee Jun Young also expressed his admiration for Park Ji Hoon, his co-star in Weak Hero Class 2. The actor did not hesitate to shower his junior with praise.

He also revealed that he used to admire successful idol artists who transitioned into acting, such as Im Si Wan and Do Kyung Soo. According to Lee Jun Young, when he first started acting, the number of idols recognized in the acting field was not as large as it is now. For his new project, Reborn Rookie , Lee Jun Young is dedicating a lot of effort to the drama revolving around Kang Yong Ho (Son Hyun Joo), the chairman of Choi Sung Group, known as the "Business God." After a mysterious accident, his soul unexpectedly swaps with that of young soccer player Hwang Joon Hyeong, played by Lee Jun Young. From a powerful tycoon, Kang Yong Ho is forced to return to the very corporation he built as an unknown new employee.

Reborn Rookie also marks Lee Jun Young's latest comeback after the success of Pump Up The Healthy Love , a drama that helped him achieve a "hat-trick" with 3 wins at the 2025 KBS Drama Awards.

Photo: Provided by FPT Play

The interesting aspect of Reborn Rookie lies in the fact that the drama not only explores the humorous body-swapping theme but also intertwines it with a power struggle within a wealthy family. The work is considered a combination of office drama, family power struggles, and a revenge quest. This also presents a significant challenge for Lee Jun Young, as he must portray two versions of the same character: an energetic young man and the experienced sixty-year-old "soul" of a chairman.

The actor revealed that he carefully studied the demeanor and tone of voice of his senior colleague Son Hyun Joo to create a natural connection between the two characters. "I watched many videos from his previous projects to recreate them as authentically as possible," Lee Jun Young shared.

The drama also stars Lee Jun Young and Jin Goo, airing during prime time on Saturday and Sunday evenings on JTBC. In Vietnam, viewers can watch it on FPT Play. With a series of projects diverse in both style and character psychology, Lee Jun Young is demonstrating his efforts to break free from the "idol turned actor" image and gradually become a noteworthy face on the Korean screen today.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lee-jun-young-tu-idol-bi-che-den-dien-vien-phim-gio-vang-185260522105757068.htm