Lee Joon Hyuk: From Rugged Star to Heartthrob, Dominating Both Film and TV with Stunning Performances
Recently, Lee Joon Hyuk has become a viral sensation across the internet. The 80s-born heartthrob is making waves in both television and film with two projects simultaneously being released in the Asian market. Thanks to his impressive acting skills, both projects have received great success and positive feedback.
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Gi Cheol in “Firefighters”
In the film industry, Lee Joon Hyuk plays the role of Gi Cheol, a firefighter at the West Fire Station in “Firefighters.” Despite his tough exterior and disciplined demeanor, his character has a compassionate heart, dedicated to saving the lives of civilians and his team. The movie is inspired by a real-life disaster that shook South Korea in 2001, featuring numerous fire and explosion scenes. Though Lee Joon Hyuk is afraid of fire, he performed a scene where his back is burned without using a body double. His dedication has earned praise from both critics and audiences.
In another interesting piece of information, “Firefighters” wrapped filming in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and actor Kwak Do Won’s drunken driving scandal, the film was delayed for nearly five years before finally being released on December 4. Despite the struggles, the movie quickly became a box office hit. Just one day after its release, “Firefighters” earned over 1.1 million USD and attracted more than 174,858 viewers. Even competing against Hyun Bin’s blockbuster “Harbin,” the film continues to perform strong at the box office.
Eun Ho in “Love Scout”
On the small screen, Lee Joon Hyuk is also gaining attention for his role as Eun Ho in “Love Scout.” Eun Ho is the perfect “ideal boyfriend” character — a devoted single father raising his daughter. Despite being in his 30s, his character exudes an irresistible charm with a handsome appearance and a sincere, thoughtful personality. Though he’s reluctantly working under a demanding CEO, Kang Ji Yoon (played by Han Ji Min), he uses professionalism and sensitivity to win her heart.
Despite having been in the entertainment industry for nearly two decades, “Love Scout” marks Lee Joon Hyuk’s first foray into a romantic drama. After just three episodes, his handsome, masculine looks have become a hot topic among netizens. Previously known for his rugged appearance and roles in psychological and action films, this shift to a calm, gentle character has surprised fans. Moreover, his groomed appearance and clean-shaven look have made his visuals soar to new heights, with fans comparing his images from his 20s to his 40s. Many believe his former rugged look concealed his true charm.
Regarding the success of “Love Scout,” according to Nielsen Korea, episode 2 recorded an average nationwide viewer rating of 6.5%, which was a 1.3% increase from the first episode’s 5.2%. More impressively, episode 3 reached a double-digit rating of 10.5%, showing a remarkable 4% increase. This has positioned “Love Scout” as a strong contender in the early year, making other dramas wary. With positive word-of-mouth, “Love Scout” is expected to continue rising in popularity as the series progresses.
