Notching his first male lead on his rookie years as an actor, Lee Do Hyun locks the actor-to-watch-out-for convincingly and for a lot of reasons!
From his supporting roles in Still 17 and Prison Playbook, Lee Do Hyun’s breakout performance in Hotel Del Luna led him to his first male lead role in this year’s resonating fantasy-romance series, 18 Again.
The rising actor sat down for an interview after her recently concluded drama and talked about 18 Again.
Technically playing three roles as “young Dae-young”, Go Woo-young and Hong Dae-young; Lee Do Hyun without a doubt confessed how 18 Again will be a definitive work of his still blooming career.
On his meaningful role
Expressing a mixed feeling of accomplishment and gratitude, he said, “It’s deep. It’s a work that meant a lot to me, and I thought it was an opportunity of my life. I’m so grateful for that opportunity.”
Immersing to his role with ownership and growth, it was revealed previously how his work in Hotel Del Luna made a decisive influence to PD Ha Byung-hoon’s choice of getting a still rookie actor named Lee Do Hyun as the male protagonist in 18 Again.
Admitting, he also faced doubt if he can pull off the character, but he managed to capture the hearts of the many with his heartfelt rendition.
18 Again is a drama traversing the story of family love. In the brink of a divorce, Hong Dae-young (Yoon Sang Hyun) returns to his 18-year old self – the glorious time of his life.
On challenging his 18 Again role
Indeed, such challenging roles for Lee Do Hyun to channel as he was required to act beyond his age, at the same time the fantasy story also pushed him to tap on the character’s young self.
But he did it distinctively even defying the evident woe of pulling off a romance to his 38-year old wife. A crucial factor that would make or break the plot of the series.
Revealing the help he gained from Director Ha and seniors Kim Ha Neul and Yoon Sang Hyun, he was able to practice well and suits up to the manly charm required of his role.
In addition, the emotions of parents that are still difficult to understand for the young actor, who is in her mid-20s, was filled with the advices from Yoon Sang Hyun and Kim Ha Neul, who have children.
Mastering how a parent gazes lovingly on his children, he showed off what he learned in the scenes with his children in the series.
On his goals as an actor
“I want to be an actor who saves people” is a goal Lee Do Hyun wishes to do as an actor. Recounting how his acting dream traced to when he was young, he enrolled in an acting academy without his father’s knowledge.
Later, he invited his father to watch his first play, The Taxi Driver at Daehangno, to reveal his acting dreams.
After the stage was over, he was touched by how his performance was appreciated and praised. It touched a lot of hearts. Since then, he was driven to act to give comfort to people. By doing that he could be saving lives.
“I said it a lot. It’s my first intention, and if I can live a tough life with good energy because of my acting, I’ll be very proud. I’m trying to act with that kind of mindset.
As his popularity increases day by day, he feels a lot of responsibility to study more. He confessed to sharing insights with his friends and hearing their feedbacks to learn what he can still work on.
Lee Do Hyun said, “After hearing my thoughts on acting, I also learned about it. I have to talk about it. Because I have to keep improving in that way, I am in that process with a lot of greed.”
Aware of his handsome appeal, Lee Do Hyun modestly acknowledged it but prefers to be knows as a reliable actor with solid acting ability.
Lee Do Hyun, who finished 18 Again, is scheduled to meet viewers with his next Netflix original drama Sweet Home.
Photos: Yuehua Entertainment
