Lee Junho Reflects On Cashero & Typhoon Family After Dominating Netflix Charts

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Lee Jun-ho, a popular Korean actor, has been steadily gaining recognition for years, but 2025 proved to be a breakthrough year. Just a month after his drama, Typhoon Family, achieved high ratings on tvN, his action series Cashero quickly became a global hit on Netflix. What’s particularly impressive is that despite both shows exploring similar ideas about society and responsibility, their very different styles showcased Lee Jun-ho’s versatility as an actor.

Jun-ho first became well-known as a member of the K-pop group 2PM, which launched in 2008. He quickly expanded into acting, starting with small parts in films and television before leading his first K-drama, Good Manager, in 2017. Even with a two-year pause for military service, he’s steadily added to his acting credits, taking on roles in both romantic comedies and more serious dramas. His 2023 romantic comedy, King The Land, was a huge success, staying at the top of the charts for eight weeks and is now being remade for American audiences.

ScreenRant spoke with the acclaimed actor about his preparation for his debut K-drama on Netflix, the most difficult scene from Cashero, what attracts him to shows like Typhoon Family, and his upcoming projects. (This interview took place via email.)

Lee Jun-ho Reveals Cashero’s Most Challenging Scene & More

In the film Cashero, Lee portrays Kang Sang-woong, a financially struggling government employee who inherited a peculiar ability from his father: super strength. However, there’s a catch – he can only use this power if he has enough money on hand. This creates a tricky situation, making his life both complicated and essential for helping others.

Okay, let me tell you, the action in this one is fantastic. Lee really gets to show off his physical side – it’s a side of him K-drama fans might not have seen before. But it’s not just adrenaline; there’s a really lovely romance woven throughout. Kim Hye-jun, who you might recognize from A Shop for Killers on Disney+, is absolutely charming as Kim Min-sook, Lee’s girlfriend and, essentially, his financial manager. She’s a total rock for him during this latest mess, and honestly, she’s the heart of the story, giving him the emotional boost he needs to keep going.

ScreenRant asked if Cashero was a more physically demanding role than the actor’s previous work, and how he prepared for the role of Sang-ung.

Lee Jun-ho wanted to achieve a natural physique – something realistic, like someone you might see every day. He didn’t aim for an overly muscular or defined look, but rather a build that felt approachable and believable.

As Sang-woong developed his abilities and began training, I wanted his physical appearance to show those changes. For the bathroom scene in episode 3, I purposely gained 9 kilograms to look stronger, and then lost weight again to match his character’s journey.

Sang-ung clearly values Min-sook, and their connection is central to the story. Can you talk about how you and Kim Hye-jun built the chemistry between your characters, and what makes their romance believable?

Lee Jun-ho explained that, since Sang-woong and Min-sook had been together for nine years, they portrayed their romance as a deep friendship or family-like connection rather than a typical love story.

Instead of focusing on butterflies themselves, we aimed to portray the deep trust and connection between them, and that’s what really connected with viewers.

ScreenRant asked: What was the hardest scene to film in Cashero, either because it was physically demanding or emotionally difficult?

The wedding scene in episode 2 was by far the most difficult to film. We started shooting the series less than two weeks before filming it, but the scene itself took a full two weeks to complete. It was packed with action – including explosions and chases – and we even used real fire and smoke to make it feel as intense as possible. The sheer size and physical challenges of the scene made it incredibly demanding for everyone involved.

Why Lee Jun-ho Chose Typhoon Family & What’s Next After Cashero

In the drama Typhoon Family, Jun-ho plays a young man who unexpectedly becomes CEO after his father’s death during the 1997 financial crisis. He’s forced to mature quickly and take responsibility for his employees. Kim Min-ha, known from Pachinko, plays Oh Mi-seon, an employee who helps him grow and becomes very important to him.

Both Cashero and Typhoon Family feature heroes dealing with financial difficulties. When choosing roles, are you more drawn to stories with themes that resonate with you personally, or do you prioritize working with talented creative teams?

Lee Jun-ho says he always picks projects based on whether the story really resonates with him or offers an interesting challenge.

I’m excited about future collaborations with creators I truly admire, combining powerful storytelling with innovative ideas.

Would you be interested in coming back for another season, and if so, what aspects of Sang-ung’s story would you like to delve into further?

During our initial discussion, I explained my concept for Sang-woong’s story as a superhero – focusing on his transformation through helping people in his local area. I also suggested a potential opening for season two, where new characters with superpowers could emerge to try and take his abilities, but that idea wasn’t developed further.

If there’s a season two, I’d really like to show Sang-woong becoming a local hero, using his abilities to help people and do what’s right.

ScreenRant asked about my upcoming projects and what kind of movies or shows I’d like to work on next.

Lee Jun-ho says he’s starting a new project right after he finishes filming ‘Veteran 3,’ so fans should watch for more details soon.

Action fans, especially those who enjoyed the first Veteran movie, will likely love Veteran 3. It continues the story of detective Seo Do-chol, played by Hwang Jung-min, who previously appeared in Veteran and I, the Executioner. This film also introduces a new character played by Lee Jun-ho, promising exciting things to come in future installments.

If you enjoyed the actor’s romantic side in Typhoon Family, you can find more of his heartwarming dramas on Netflix, including Wok of Love and Rain or Shine.

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2026-02-05 21:21