Actor Lee Je-hoon (41), who successfully wrapped up ‘Negotiation Skills’, revealed his determination to showcase his value as an actor through various works.
On the morning of the 14th, Lee Je-hoon conducted an ending interview for the JTBC weekend drama ‘Negotiation Skills’ (written by Lee Seung-young, directed by Ahn Pan-seok) at a café in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. ‘Negotiation Skills’ is an office drama that depicts the activities of a team led by Yoon Joo-no (played by Lee Je-hoon), an M&A expert known as a legendary negotiator.
Starting with a viewership rating of 3.3% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide), ‘Negotiation Skills’ received praise for blending human emotions into the unfamiliar subject of M&A, often referred to as a war without gunfire. The final episode recorded a viewership rating of 10.3%, more than three times that of the first episode (Nielsen Korea, nationwide), achieving a successful conclusion.
Lee Je-hoon commented, “Given the unique subject matter of the work, I thought it might be difficult for viewers to engage. However, if you look into the inner story, it contains universal themes. Although the title ‘Negotiation Skills’ may seem stiff, it shows the stories of people in the world, which I believe allowed viewers to become more immersed.”
What was it like to work for the first time with director Ahn Pan-seok, known for his captivating direction in dramas like ‘White Tower’, ‘Secret Affair’, and ‘Something in the Rain’?
Lee Je-hoon said, “I have seen almost all of director Ahn Pan-seok’s works. I had a strong desire to meet him, and I was very happy to finally work with him on this project.” He added, “While filming, I felt that the director was trying to capture the story as close to reality as possible. Watching him avoid giving a fake impression made me approach my character with a sincere heart and strive to create an ensemble with the other actors.”
In ‘Negotiation Skills’, Lee Je-hoon portrayed Yoon Joo-no, a negotiation expert who comes to save the Sanin Group from crisis. Known as the ‘White Snake of Negotiation’, Yoon Joo-no is a character with cold judgment and warm emotions, leading M&A between companies to resolve the 11 trillion won debt of the Sanin Group.
Having established the entertainment agency Company On in 2021 and serving as its CEO, Lee Je-hoon said, “I learned a lot while playing Yoon Joo-no. Running a management company often leads to emotional turmoil, even if I try not to show it. There were times when I thought, ‘Why am I struggling to run a company when I’m already busy being an actor?’”
He continued, “Meeting Yoon Joo-no taught me how to lead a company more wisely and negotiate with people. Ultimately, it seems to come down to sincerity. I believe it’s better to openly discuss what I want and what the other party wants without hiding it. I also learned that not flipping back and forth like turning a palm when situations change is a way to build trust.”
Yoon Joo-no, the character played by Lee Je-hoon, is marked by his ‘white hair’ hairstyle. As a result, Lee Je-hoon had to undergo intense makeup before each shoot.
“The director had a clear vision of how Yoon Joo-no should look. I thought it would be impossible to maintain white hair over four months of filming, but the director really wanted it, so we tested it. It took about three hours to create Yoon Joo-no’s look, and I was very satisfied with the result during the first shoot. The mystery that the white hair brings is great, and I’m proud to have this look in my filmography now. (laughs)”
In the final episode of ‘Negotiation Skills’, Yoon Joo-no uncovers the truth behind the stock manipulation incident of Jumbo Pharmaceuticals that led to his brother's death and punishes the culprits. However, the scene ends with Ha Tae-soo (played by Jang Hyun-seong), who left the Sanin Group due to this incident, reappearing as a director of a hedge fund, hinting at Season 2.
Regarding the possibility of the next season, Lee Je-hoon said, “The debt of the Sanin Group hasn’t been fully resolved, leaving room for further stories to be written. I believe this work has a story that could go beyond Season 2 to Season 5. I am one of those who hope for a sequel, so I wish for the next season to come out.”
After finishing ‘Negotiation Skills’, Lee Je-hoon is busy filming both SBS’s ‘Taxi Driver 3’ and tvN’s ‘Signal 2’ simultaneously.
He stated, “I should focus on one project, but I’m sorry to be juggling two. I’m truly negotiating with both sides. I told the production teams, ‘Do as you please. Use me as you wish.’ This year, I have no personal life. I will just work hard.”
He added, “People around me often ask, ‘When do you rest?’ but I’ve given up on that. Just being able to continue with this seasonal format is something I’m grateful for.” He expressed, “I want to continue showing through my works that I am an actor who can do anything for the sake of the project, recognized for my ‘value’ rather than my ‘price’.”
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
