Lee Junho embraces his darkest role yet with 'Veteran 3' “I’m more excited than burdened”
by Demian09 · allkpopWith the end of tvN’s weekend drama 'Typhoon Family,' Junho (Lee Jun Ho) closes out another defining chapter of his career.
He played Kang Tae Poong, a young CEO who is suddenly forced to take responsibility for a company on the brink of bankruptcy. Junho anchored the series with an unrestricted emotional range and a grounded, sincere performance. His transformation from privileged “orange tribe” youth into a leader who faces crisis resonated across generations and revived the atmosphere of the era.
Meeting Lee Junho shortly after the finale, it was clear he still carried the weight of affection he had poured into the project. “From prep to filming, it took about a year, and I poured so much love into it. It was a chance to show many different sides of myself, and meeting Kang Tae Poong made this year incredibly happy for me. When I first read the script, the ending of Episode 1 left a strong impact. I felt immediately that I had to do this project. Every moment on set had meaning, so it is not easy to let Tae Poong go.”
Building Tae-poong With Honesty at the Center
Lee says the core he refused to lose while shaping Kang Tae Poong was honesty. Tae Poong reacts on instinct rather than calculation. He lets emotions pass through him without filtering. He trusts people openly and ultimately rises again because of them.
For Junho, the heart of the drama lay in its sense of solidarity, companionship, and quiet romanticism. “I am grateful people enjoyed my angry scenes. Playing Tae Poong made me think less and feel more. It became natural to follow where the emotions led. I did not experience the IMF crisis myself, but conversations with my parents helped me understand. The strength of that time came from people holding on to one another. Living like Tae Poong is not easy, but I agree that people matter the most.”
He admits that the repetition of villain plots in Tae Poong’s story may have felt thin to some viewers, but he trusted the production team’s intention. Junho also expressed his wish to see more long-form dramas return, even as the OTT landscape leans toward shorter formats. “Some viewers may have felt that the villain’s motives were weak. The production team made that choice after a lot of discussion, and as an actor, I respected it. Personally, I hope long-format dramas become more common again. Spending extended time loving and supporting a character can be healing for the audience. I believe there is real power in the 16-episode structure.”
A New Kind of Growth: Acting Without Weight
Junho admits he has always felt pressure when it comes to acting, from his debut until now. However, his focus has been shifting. His goal has moved away from fear and toward clearer emotion and truthful delivery.
Through 'Typhoon Family,' he felt himself becoming more flexible and more open.“When I first began acting, I struggled because I did not want to be a burden to the project. Now I want to feel the emotions clearly. In Episode 13, there is a scene where Tae Poong drinks alone. It was not written as a crying scene, but when he thinks of his father, the emotions burst out unexpectedly. Each time I finish a project, I feel a little more relaxed and a little more flexible. That makes me believe I can give an even better performance next time.”
Asked what Typhoon Family means to him, Junho described it as “a project that made me lighter.” Letting go of calculation and embracing raw emotion felt liberating. The strength of the set, the people he worked with, and the honesty of the character will stay with him for a long time. “Hearing people say I felt like the real Kang Tae Poong was the best compliment. It was a great set with great people, so I still miss it. The drama peeled away a layer of weight from me. It does not mean I acted thoughtlessly. I simply accepted emotions exactly as they came. Tae Poong’s personality made that possible.”
A Year of Change and a New Beginning
For Lee Junho, 2025 has been a year of professional milestones and personal transformation. He left his long-time agency and became independent, which brought both new freedom and new responsibility. He also found himself placing more importance on family, relationships, love, and health. Kang Tae Poong’s story often echoed his own life while filming, creating one of the strongest resonances he has felt with a character.
When asked about upcoming work, Junho hinted that he is about to film a role he has long wanted to try. That role is his first full-fledged villain in the highly anticipated film 'Veteran 3.' “I have always wanted roles that do not overlap. In Chief Kim, I was supposed to play my first villain, but the character ultimately turned out to be good. I felt slightly disappointed. With 'Veteran 3,' I am finally taking on a true villain, and I feel more excitement than pressure. It reminds me of when I first began acting. I want to create this character in a fun and interesting way. I also love director Ryoo Seung Wan’s work, so I feel this will be a great challenge.”
Aiming to Become an Actor Audiences Trust Instinctively
Junho’s goal is simple but ambitious. He wants to become an actor whose projects people watch purely because his name is attached, even before knowing the details. He desires to inspire curiosity and, ultimately, deep trust.
“Becoming an actor people trust is my biggest goal. I want people to hear that I am doing a project and say they want to watch it, even without knowing anything else. Someday I want to inspire even greater curiosity.”
As the lingering emotion of 'Typhoon Family' remains vivid, Junho is already preparing to meet audiences again. His new Netflix original series 'Cashero' will be released on the 26th. All signs point to 2025 becoming an intensely busy and dynamic year for him. After imprinting Kang Tae Poong on viewers with sincerity and heart, attention now turns to what Lee Junho will deliver next. The actor is stepping into a new chapter, and expectations for his next page continue to grow.
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