[Interview] Lee Je-hoon Reveals His Utopia "I Want to Build a Cinematheque, Love Movies More Than Money♥"

[Lee Isul, Entertainment Reporter]

Actor Lee Je-hoon shared an honest story about his dream and utopia.

On the afternoon of the 28th, Lee Je-hoon participated in a video interview and talked about various aspects of the Netflix film Time to Hunt (directed by Yoon Sung-hyun).

Time to Hunt is a chase thriller depicting the tense hunting time between four friends planning a dangerous operation for a new life and an unidentified pursuer chasing them. It is the new work by visual storyteller director Yoon Sung-hyun, who made a significant discovery in Korean cinema with the film Bleak Night (2011), released after nine years.

Lee Je-hoon reveals a new side of himself by playing Jun-seok, the leader who devises the dangerous plan. Previously, he showed powerful performances in Detective Hong Gil-dong: The Missing Village (2015), Park Yeol (2017), and I Can Speak (2017). After three years, he reunited with director Yoon Sung-hyun to make a comeback in Chungmuro.

In the film, Lee Je-hoon delivers fearless gun action and takes on street fashion, undergoing a strong transformation. In particular, he received praise for realistically expressing Jun-seok’s fear and anxiety as he is cornered and chased by the mysterious pursuer Han.

On this day, Lee Je-hoon spoke about utopia, which stands in direct contrast to the dystopia in the film, saying, “The moment I talk about the work is my utopia. Sometimes I hear interpretations I hadn’t thought of or someone awakens parts I hadn’t seen. I enjoy and love that process.”

Lee Je-hoon smiled happily and said, “Of course, making a lot of money and becoming rich is good, but if someone asked me, ‘Would you rather be rich or live your life as an actor?’ I would choose the latter. Money is just a means. My complete goal is to continue acting in films and live dreaming.”

He added, “I want many dreamers like me to gather and create a cinematheque or a theater. It would be great to watch favorite films there and have many GVs (guest visits or audience talks). The moment I accidentally watch a film and get absorbed in it is the happiest moment in my life. I dream of creating such a place.”

Lee Je-hoon continued to express his special affection for films. Recently, he established the film company Hardcut with director Yang Kyung-mo and PD Kim Yoo-kyung, whom he met during his rookie days through short films, and is preparing a new project. Expanding his domain from actor to producer, he is erasing his limits by taking on diverse challenges related to films beyond acting.

“When I asked myself what I would do if I couldn’t or didn’t act as an actor, whether by my own will or otherwise, I could only find films. Whether as a lighting staff, filmmaker, or anything related to films, it would be good. If I become a producer, I might be able to create detailed stories. It would be hard to let go of films. I always feel a sense of weight and responsibility. I want to be a member who works hard for high-quality content so that something beyond an actor can come out. Please support me a lot.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.