Lee Hyoje Reveals New Look

Actor Lee Hyo-je is continuing his active career with a role in the Netflix series 'Girigo' and by hosting the 27th Jeonju International Film Festival. He is set to deliver a powerful performance as 'Hyung-wook,' the character who triggers the events of 'Girigo.' 'Girigo' is Netflix's first Korean YA (Young Adult) horror series, depicting the desperate struggle of high school students who are foretold to die due to a curse from the wish-granting app 'Girigo,' as they try to escape the curse. Hyung-wook, played by Lee Hyo-je, is a mischievous character who enjoys hanging out with friends and is the first to become entangled with 'Girigo.' He plans to showcase a deep performance, even undergoing an external transformation by gaining approximately 20kg for the role.

Lee Hyo-je has consistently demonstrated stable acting skills across various genres, moving between film and drama. Through 'Girigo,' he is expected to reveal a new side of himself. In addition, he has been selected as the MC for the closing ceremony of the 27th Jeonju International Film Festival, gracing the festival's finale. Furthermore, he will participate in a GV (Guest Visit) session for his film 'Loop,' for which he was the first Korean male actor to win the Best Actor award at the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, to share in-depth stories about his work and acting philosophy.

Director Park Yoon-seo revealed his reason for casting Lee Hyo-je, stating, "His eyes were the closest to the Hyung-wook I envisioned." He explained that Lee Hyo-je's usual seemingly indifferent demeanor, yet the subtle feeling conveyed through his eyes, perfectly matched the character. 'Girigo' is a horror series that depicts the desperate struggle for survival of high school students who are suddenly foretold to die due to a curse from the wish-granting app 'Girigo.' The entire series will be released on Netflix on the 24th at 5 PM.

Lee Hyo-je, born in 2004, debuted in 2014 with the film 'We Are Brothers.' Since then, he has garnered attention for his delicate emotional performances by playing the younger versions of top actors such as Kang Dong-won and So Ji-sub in numerous films, including 'The Throne,' 'The Priests,' and 'A Stray Goat.' He further solidified his position as a "reliable child actor" by consecutively playing the younger roles of actors like Park Hae-il in 'The Duchess,' Jin Young in 'Love in the Moonlight,' Ryu Jun-yeol in 'Lost,' and Ha Jung-woo in 'Narco-Saints.' These experiences served as a foundation for his growth into an actor with stable acting skills despite his young age. A representative from his agency, Ghost Studio, stated that they find it significant that Lee Hyo-je, who primarily played the younger selves or sons of senior actors during his child acting days, is now taking on roles as a lead actor, fully carrying his own narrative after becoming an adult.

'Girigo' is Netflix's first Korean YA horror series, and it is expected to offer a new genre of fun by combining the emotions and fears of teenagers. The series is anticipated to maximize psychological tension by intertwining various concerns such as relationships with friends and family, academic performance, and self-identity. Additionally, the collaboration between a new director and new actors is noteworthy. Director Park Yoon-seo decided that working with new actors would be best to convey the freshness of the script to viewers. Furthermore, the realistic production, where familiar school settings transform into a backdrop for the curse, creating a chilling atmosphere, is also highlighted as a point to watch.