Lee Junho Opens Up to USA Today About the Stories Behind His Global K-Drama Success

In a recent interview with USA Today, Lee Jun-ho made one thing clear: no matter how big the platform or how ambitious the role, storytelling always comes first.

For the actor, who has seen his recent projects dominate global streaming charts, choosing a role is less about scale and more about message. He explained that as someone who drives the narrative, he carefully considers how a story will ultimately resonate with audiences.

That philosophy has guided a career that continues to gain international attention.

Why Story Comes Before Stardom

Lee shared that the deciding factor behind every project is the meaning it carries. Whether the character is powerful, ordinary, or deeply flawed, the story itself must feel sincere.

This approach has led him to headline multiple globally recognized K-dramas, including King the Land and Typhoon Family, both of which found massive international audiences through Netflix.

For Lee, success without substance holds little appeal. He believes viewers connect most strongly when they sense honesty behind the performance.

Becoming an “Ordinary” Hero in Cashero

One of Lee’s most talked-about recent roles is in Cashero, Netflix Korea’s first original superhero series. What attracted him was not the fantasy, but the limitation placed on power.

The story follows an everyday civil servant who can use his abilities only as far as his personal finances allow. Lee described this twist as a refreshing departure from familiar superhero narratives.

Rather than focusing on invincibility, Cashero centers on responsibility and consequence. For Lee, portraying a hero bound by everyday reality made the role both challenging and unexpectedly relatable.

Revisiting Collective Pain in Typhoon Family

Before Cashero, Lee led Typhoon Family, a drama set during South Korea’s 1997 IMF financial crisis. The series explores personal loss, survival, and rebuilding during a period that reshaped the nation.

Lee noted that the story’s emotional weight extends beyond Korea. Economic uncertainty, family pressure, and resilience are themes many viewers around the world recognize today.

His performance earned him the Actor of the Year (TV) Grand Prize at the 2025 Asia Artist Awards, further solidifying his reputation as an actor drawn to grounded, human narratives.

Why Realism Still Resonates Worldwide

According to Lee, portraying realistic characters is essential, especially when telling stories rooted in history or social struggle. He believes these narratives offer viewers a chance to reflect on challenges they may not have personally experienced, while still finding relevance in their own lives.

He emphasized that authenticity allows stories to cross cultural boundaries, turning local history into shared emotional experience.

Looking Back — and Ahead

Nearly 20 years into his career as an actor, solo artist, and member of 2PM, Lee reflected on how global platforms have transformed K-content. International audiences now access Korean dramas, films, and music more easily than ever, a shift he views with pride.

As for what’s next, Lee shows no signs of slowing down. He is set to appear in the next installment of the Veteran film series and is preparing to take on a villain role for the first time.

For an actor known for sincerity, the goal remains unchanged: to keep challenging himself and tell stories that feel real — no matter how global the stage becomes.