[Interview①] 'Oh! Moonhee' Lee Hee-joon "Income stopped due to COVID-19, Parenting is a gift"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Iseul] Actor Lee Hee-joon has returned with a new face. He sheds his fierce gaze and transforms into a sincere countryside uncle, delivering cheerful laughter and heartfelt emotions. He also shared recent updates, grumbling about becoming unemployed due to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection) situation, yet being deeply immersed in the charm of parenting as a father.

On the 3rd, Lee Hee-joon shared various stories about the film Oh! Moon-hee (directed by Jung Se-gyo) during a non-face-to-face online interview.

Oh! Moon-hee is a rural investigative comedy about a mother, Moon-hee, the sole witness of a hit-and-run accident, and her reckless son Doo-won, who fearlessly pursue the culprit. The film offers cheerful laughter and warm emotions through the unpredictable investigation of this mother-son duo, unlike anything seen before. Lee Hee-joon plays Doo-won, the impulsive son full of humanity.

On this day, Lee Hee-joon cited the script as the reason for deciding to appear, saying, “It was really fun. The elements that audiences would like stood out, and I empathized with the situation faced by a father living in the countryside, caring for a mother with dementia and raising a 6-year-old child.” He added, “At first, the character working at a rural insurance company didn’t seem cool, but during filming, I felt he was admirable. Isn’t just supporting a family and enduring alone a kind of heroism?” expressing a special meaning.

Lee Hee-joon, who detailed the relationship between mother and son, said, “I reflected on how I usually treat my mother. I don’t laugh much. I saw it as a love-hate relationship. I focused on how to naturally convey the relationship between mother and son.” He also revealed, “I thought about how hard it is to live with a mother who has dementia and how one endures it.”

Lee Hee-joon married former basketball player and model Lee Hye-jung, and they welcomed their first son last December. When asked about changes as an actor after becoming a father, he said, “A completely different world unfolded that I had never imagined. At first, it was burdensome and difficult, but at some point, I realized he was truly my child. Many thoughts come to mind.” He then joked, “These days, the baby has just started sleeping through the night. Since he falls asleep at night and sleeps until morning, he’s much cuter.”

Recently, Lee Hee-joon appeared on various variety shows and radio programs to promote Oh! Moon-hee ahead of its release. He confessed, “Honestly, I’m not comfortable appearing on variety shows, but I gathered courage for promotion,” and said, “I prefer variety shows like Problematic Men on the Rooftop where we solve problems together rather than sharing personal stories.”

When asked about willingness to appear on parenting or family variety shows, Lee Hee-joon replied, “Lee Hye-jung is also a model and artist. I hope she can work coolly without being connected as someone’s wife. Our child is not yet an adult and cannot decide about appearances. Even at 42, I get stressed and angry when I see malicious comments, so I wonder how the child would feel. I’m cautious about exposing my family.”

Lee Hee-joon also expressed his desire to appear in works he wouldn’t be ashamed of in front of his child. “When my child grows up and asks, ‘Was that Dad’s work?’ I don’t want to create embarrassing works,” he said. “I hope my child grows up quickly so we can go hiking together and have conversations. I want to be a dad like a friend,” showing his affection for his son.

Lee Hee-joon debuted in 2007 with the drama Que Sera Sera after working as a theater actor. He gained attention with the drama You Who Rolled In on a Vine (2012) and appeared in films such as Sea Fog, My Annoying Brother, Robot, Sori, 1987, Drug King, and Secret Zoo.

Regarding the title Oh! Moon-hee, Lee Hee-joon said, “I was a bit envious of the title borrowing the name of actress Na Moon-hee. How great would it be if there was a writer who would use my name in a movie title after 50 or 60 years of acting?” He added, “While working and reading the script, I thought that if Na Moon-hee didn’t do it, the movie wouldn’t be made.”

He drew a clear line that his real personality is completely different from the reckless character he plays. Lee Hee-joon said, “I’m someone who is very considerate and often worries about what others think of me.” He added, “Looking back on the past, I feel embarrassed and repentant. I’m rather timid.”

Finally, Lee Hee-joon shared his concerns about releasing a film during the COVID-19 situation. He revealed, “Due to the COVID situation, I haven’t been able to work for a long time. I returned home during the location shoot of Report and have no income,” and said, “I’m focusing on parenting and am happy. If I had been busy during this time, I wouldn’t have been able to share these precious moments. Isn’t it like a gift?”

He continued, “It’s hard to ask people to come watch a movie in these times,” and urged, “I hope it brings comfort during difficult times. Please take your parents to see Oh! Moon-hee and gain strength from its positive energy.”

Meanwhile, Oh! Moon-hee was released on the 2nd.

Photo = CGV Art House

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