Lee Je-hoon on the state of the industry: The decrease in productions and lack of quality stories

On May 20th, Lee Je-hoon spoke with Ten Asia at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, about various aspects of MBC’s “Chief Detective 1958,”the Friday-Saturday drama in which he stars. This meeting took place after his surgery for ischemic colitis, and he shared his thoughts on the filming delay and challenges with his schedules.

In the series “Chief Inspector”, the prequel “Chief Detective 1958″centers around Detective Park Yeong-han (Lee Je-hoon), known for his expertise in catching petty thieves. He teams up with three unconventional colleagues to expose the injustices of corrupt authority with rational thinking, ultimately transforming into a detective for the people.

Lee Je-hoon discussed the current decline in the entertainment industry, drawing from his experience as an actor and a company representative. He observed that this trend is evident in both dramas and movies, with a significant decrease in production in recent years. While the root cause may lie within the larger industry, as an actor, he believes that the lack of compelling storytelling may be a contributing factor. As someone involved in the creation of narratives, he feels a responsibility to produce high-quality content. However, he also acknowledges that there is a growing trend towards standardized content, which is something he reflects upon.

He went on to say, “While the pandemic did make it more convenient to watch movies, I found that the most impactful experiences were still found in theaters. The concentrated attention, lasting emotions, and profound impact were some of the biggest joys and sources of happiness in my life. Unfortunately, these opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. That’s why I started my YouTube channel – to capture personal moments. I have a deep affection for independent cinemas and witnessing their disappearance motivated me to document them. I can’t promise entertainment, but it’s a personal endeavor that I felt compelled to preserve.”

When it comes to choosing projects for actors in his company, Lee Je-hoon believes that the most crucial factor is their genuine interest in the role. While financial returns cannot be overlooked from a company’s perspective, Lee hopes that monetary gain is not the main motivating factor behind an actor’s decision.