Lee Min-ho: "I Didn't Worry About My Looks in 'Assassins,' Embracing a Natural Image"[Interview ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

Rather than leaning on his glamorous image, actor Lee Min-ho focused on naturally blending into the role of Young-il, a rookie reporter in 1974.

On the 11th, we spoke with Lee Min-ho at a café on Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, about his film "Assassins" (directed by Heo Jin-ho).

"Assassins" is a story that traces the suspicions and hidden forces behind the assassination attempt on the First Lady of South Korea, which shocked the nation on August 15, 1974.

Lee Min-ho plays Young-il, a passionate rookie reporter who dives into the scene to capture the events on camera.

Lee revealed that he had been interested in the incident even before working on the project. He said, "After learning about this case, I searched for broadcasts mentioning it on YouTube or programs like 'Stories That Keep Unfolding.'" He added, "Once I received the script, I found the story and subject matter fascinating."

He further explained his decision to join the project: "I was also drawn to the fact that the script reinterpreted the characters as people following the timeline of the incident."

In the film, Young-il is a rookie reporter who grew up in a wealthy family. For Lee, naturally portraying this potentially exaggerated setting was a challenge.

He laughed and said, "I've heard people say I have a 'noble' image even in casual settings. However, I tend not to stand out conspicuously wherever I am. I thought that perhaps my natural demeanor could help ground the somewhat exaggerated character traits of Young-il."

He continued, "When I first read the script, I worried it might come across as overly dramatic. I wondered how I could make it more convincing. I believed Young-il should be someone who actively leverages his background. So I think I portrayed him with a bit more freedom."

He also expressed concerns about his physical appearance. Lee said, "There were moments where my facial swelling varied between scenes, making the transitions jarring. I was quite worried about that. I even considered losing weight dramatically like in dramas, but feared it might look like I was trying too hard to be stylish."

He added, "I struggled with how slim I should become. In scenes filmed on less demanding days, my face appeared slightly swollen, while in action sequences, I looked slimmer. For this project, rather than focusing heavily on my appearance, I aimed to blend seamlessly into the character and the era."

Most importantly, for Lee Min-ho, being seen as Young-il mattered more than being recognized as "Star Lee Min-ho." He admitted, "I had personal concerns about blending in too much. But after filming and reviewing the footage, I gained confidence that it was okay to let go completely."

On set, the presence of veteran actors also provided significant support. Lee said, "I felt a sense of stability from the seniors, which allowed me to perform more comfortably."

He added with a smile, "The senior actors asked me many questions. I remember them genuinely listening to my thoughts and engaging in conversations. They even brought coffee carts frequently, and they seemed especially pleased when I offered them coffee."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.