[Interview] Lee Jae-wook, "I Appeared on TV for My Mother"

Actor Lee Jae-wook mentioned the military and his future goals in an interview on the 19th to commemorate the release of the Netflix original series "Dear Hongrang" at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

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Lee Jae-wook said, "I went to college until the first semester of my first year and took a leave of absence. I'm not going to postpone it because I think it's the Maginot Line. I have to go now", and added, "It's about time I have to think a lot about it with the company".

When asked if he had any intention of returning to school, he said, "Learning in school is so important, but learning in the field is more important. I want to focus more on what I'm doing".

Lee Jae-wook, who had dreamed of acting since he was a senior in high school, entered the theater and film department after retaking the course. When asked if he had any concerns from his mother, he said, "I think she knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I think she saw my eyes shining and cheered me on as I wanted to act so badly. I didn't have any such concerns".

Lee Jae-wook is showing off his sense of entertainment by joining tvN's entertainment show "Unnie's Fresh Delivery 2" before the release of "Dear Hongrang". Lee Jae-wook drew attention by saying about his appearance in entertainment shows, "I wanted to be in something for my mother to see before I went to the military".

Lee Jae-wook said, "I didn't think about entertainment programs, but I think I did it without thinking about it when I got a proposal. I felt pressured about being the youngest. They are seniors who are experienced, so sometimes I overdo myself thinking that I want to be reliable".

Referring to actress Lim Ji-yeon, who also joined the group, he said, "I got so close to Ji-yeon. We talk about coffee cars together. I think these trivial stories gave us a sense of belonging", and added, "I hear a lot of people say we look alike, but we also took pictures and asked ourselves, 'Why do we look so similar?'".

"Dear Hongrang" is a mystery melodrama that depicts an unknown feeling between the two, with Hongrang (Lee Jae-wook), the son of the top Joseon Dynasty, who went missing, returning after 12 years of losing his memory, and his only half-sister, Jae-i (Jo Bo-ah), doubting his reality.

"Dear Hongrang" is based on Jang Da-hye's novel "Tangeum: Swallowing Gold".

Lee Jae-wook said, "After filming "Alchemy of Souls", I wanted to do an authentic historical drama with a background of the times, and I've achieved that dream. I also wanted to do a work with a big action sequence", and added, "I'm grateful that I've achieved my goal".

"Dear Hongrang" is on Netflix.