Netflix Heartthrob Lee Won Jung Rejects HYPE Entertainment, Declares Love for Co-star

The film “Hierarchy” is currently being classified as a “trash drama” of 2024 due to its highly disappointing content. Despite this, the film climbed to the number 2 spot on Netflix’s global non-English language film chart and ranked number 1 in several Asian countries mainly thanks to its high-visual cast.

However, it is not the three main actors but the supporting actor Lee Won Jung who has garnered significant public attention. Playing the role of Woo Jin, the heir of a political mogul preparing to run for President, this actor became an overnight sensation after a shocking intimate scene with a teacher at Jooshin High School in “Hierarchy.” Upon further investigation into his profile, audiences discovered many surprising facts about this handsome young man born in 2001. Despite being a rookie, Lee Won Jung exhibits a rare bold and straightforward personality in the Korean entertainment industry and has such great potential that HYPE is vying for him.

8 times rejecting the “big boss” HYPE for 1 admirable reason

Lee Won Jung was born in 2001 and raised in San Francisco, California. Although he does not possess the handsome looks that are so popular in Korea like the two male leads of Hierarchy, Lee Chae Min (playing Kang Ha) and Kim Jae Won (playing Kim Ri An), Won Jung has an attractive and radiant appearance that is typical of a Kpop idol. This is one of the factors that caught the attention of the HYPE Corporation.

Before this controversial school drama, Lee Won Jung made his debut as an actor in the drama Class of Lies (2019) and appeared in popular works such as Live On, Brain Works… But the most surprising performance of this actor was in the global hit drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Despite only playing a “super supporting role” in 1 episode of the drama, he caught the attention of the audience with his bright appearance and natural acting. After only 4 years of his debut, Won Jung won the Best New Actor award at the KBS Drama Awards 2023 for his role in the drama My Perfect Stranger.

Lee Won Jung has a strange charm that is considered by big entertainment companies to be the seductive charm of an idol. However, this guy is more passionate about acting and has no intention of becoming an idol.

Before deciding to debut as an actor, Lee Won Jung made a shocking decision, which was to reject the “big boss” HYPE 8 times – the entertainment corporation that manages top Asian music groups like BTS, SEVENTEEN, TXT, LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, ILLIT… Appearing on the show Knowing Bros, Lee Won Jung said that he was courted by entertainment companies for many years and persuaded to become an idol, including HYPE with 7-8 offers.

But instead of accepting the offer of this powerful entertainment empire in Korean showbiz, this handsome guy confidently declared that he would only join the company if HYPE decided to train actors. Lee Won Jung is determined to pursue his only passion, which is acting, and says no to singing. His determination and strong pursuit of his own goals have earned him admiration from the audience.

Dating story

Taking on the role of the heir in Hierarchy, Lee Won Jung initially caught the attention of viewers with the shocking love line with the vain teacher. But by the end of the film, his character revealed his silent love for the female lead He Ra (played by Chi Hae Won). Notably, this couple is being “shipped” by the public as strongly as the love triangle of the 3 main actors.

According to Koreaboo, Lee Won Jung has been constantly interacting with his senior Chi Hae Won, who is more than 3 years older, on social media. Every time actress Hae Won posts a photo, Lee Won Jung leaves comments praising her. Not only stopping at the relationship of colleagues, Won Jung also made a statement to start the relationship that is considered “fake movie, real love” with Hae Won on a recent post. When suggested by a fan “You should take her out on a date”, this actor made a bold statement: “Of course, why not”. The reaction of this pair of actors can not help but make the audience go crazy, even the effect is no less than the trio Roh Jeong Eui – Lee Chae Min – Kim Jae Won.

Lee Won Jung declares about dating his senior sister Chi Hae Won, who is more than 3 years older, right on her social media page