"As long as you truly love the work, nothing is impossible."

Actor Lee Je-hoon returns once again as an M&A specialist. Following his performance in the JTBC drama The Art of Negotiation, he now takes the lead in the film Soju War, portraying a sharp-minded financial expert.

Known for his attention to detail, Lee brings subtle psychological shifts and the complexity of moral ambiguity to life—this time, with fluent English added to the mix. The role may seem familiar, but he assures it will feel new again.

"You might wonder if playing similar roles gets burdensome—but honestly, I'm thrilled to meet audiences again through such a unique subject. This project also heightened my awareness of financial crises. If you have genuine love for the work, there's nothing you can't do."

Dispatch met Lee Je-hoon at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno, where he opened up about his passion for Soju War and his personal connection to the story.

⚠️ This interview contains spoilers for Soju War.

"Soju War Is a Story for All Koreans"

Soju War tells the story of Kookbo Soju, a company facing bankruptcy during the IMF crisis. Lee Je-hoon plays In-beom, a strategist from a global investment firm called SolQueen, opposite Jong-rok (Yoo Hae-jin), Kookbo Soju's head of finance.

The IMF crisis affected every Korean household, and Lee recalls experiencing it firsthand during his school years:

"I remember my father taking on daily labor jobs at dawn. That time of hardship left a deep impression on me. That's why Soju War felt especially personal."

Upon reading the script, he felt it was a story that needed to be told.

"Through soju as a symbol, the film prompts us to reflect on our values. It makes you ask, 'What has really changed in 30 years?' Despite our progress, ethical and moral degradation continues. This film is a wake-up call."

"Jong-rok Reminded Me of My Father"

The film's working title was Moral Hazard, which refers to taking advantage of loopholes in laws or systems. In-beom embodies this term. He approaches Jong-rok under the guise of help, hiding his true motives.

He repeatedly betrays Jong-rok, only to reach out again. Lee commented:

"There are people in real life far worse than In-beom. I think many viewers will relate to the pain of unexpected betrayal."

In-beom represents capitalist ambition—willing to do anything to succeed. Publicly, he acts as an advisor to Kookbo Soju, but secretly, he plans to take it over.

And yet, he is not heartless. He oscillates between ambition and a desire to comfort Jong-rok. One shared drink of soju triggers his guilt.

"Jong-rok reminded me of my own father—sacrificing everything for his child. I felt both affection and discomfort. That emotional complexity drew me in completely."

"Studying to Become Pyo In-beom"

More than half of the script consisted of English dialogue and financial terminology. As a character from a global investment firm, In-beom had to speak fluently and deliver jargon with credibility.

"I worried about how I could pull this off," said Lee. "I listened to my English coach's recordings every day, adjusting my pronunciation, pacing, and intonation over and over."

He also immersed himself in news articles, financial papers, and IMF history records to understand the emotional and historical context behind the role.

That effort paid off—especially when acting opposite Hollywood actor Byron Mann.

"It felt like I was in an actual conversation with a financial expert. At one point, I even thought, 'Am I filming a Hollywood movie right now?' That's how immersed I was."

"For Lee Je-hoon, Acting Is a Way of Life"

Lee Je-hoon is rarely absent from the screen. For him, acting is inseparable from life itself.

"You can't separate the actor from the person I am. Work defines me—I am my work."

"When I have gaps in my schedule, I feel anxious. I always tell people to enjoy their work-life balance, but I never seem to follow my own advice." (laughs)

Now in his 20th year since debut, Lee's filmography is more than a résumé—it reflects his values and direction in life.

"If someone asked, 'Who is Lee Je-hoon?' I'd simply point to my filmography."

He's currently filming two series. This November, he returns with SBS's Taxi Driver 3. Early next year, he'll appear in The Second Signal, the long-awaited sequel to Signal, nearly a decade later.

"As an actor, I hope to look back one day and say, 'I gave it everything I had.' I plan to keep running without rest."

[Photo Credit: Showbox]