2PM’s Lee Junho Challenges Directions For “King The Land,” Personally Making Changes To His Character

You think you’re thirsting over Gu Won, but it’s actually Junho.

Spoiler Alert

This article reveals plot details of a current movie or series.

K-Drama King the Land viewers are loving the male lead, but actor 2PM‘s Junho (also known as Lee Jun Ho) has a large part to do with it.

Junho as Gu Won

JTBC‘s new romantic comedy K-Drama King the Land has become a hit worldwide as viewers watch the charming hotelier Cheon Sa Rang (played by Girls’ Generation‘s YoonA, who is also known as Lim Yoon A or Im Yoon Ah) and handsome King Hotel heir and general manager Gu Won (Junho) gradually fall in love over time. Fans of the K-Drama love the classic “old-school rom-com vibes.”

Amid a tense inheritance fight, a charming heir clashes with his hardworking employee who’s known for her irresistible smile — which he cannot stand.

— Netflix

YoonA (left) and Junho (right)

King the Land viewers have especially had endless praise for Junho’s character Gu Won. They appreciated that he never really had a denial phase when he realized he was developing feelings for Sa Rang.

Additionally, he has displayed all the Love Languages. He is the standard!

Even the first kiss scene received tremendous praise as viewers were pleasantly surprised that Gu Won had asked for consent. While it seems like the bare minimum, it is a rarity in K-Dramas, especially historically, as toxic male leads used to dominate.

Now, we can’t help but wonder if Gu Won is the walking green flag that he is, thanks to Junho himself after behind-the-scenes footage was released.

| JTBC

During Episode 9, Gu Won and Sa Rang attempted to navigate their relationship after having their first kiss. He never wanted to leave her side, even at work, but she had asked him to leave because her coworkers were uncomfortable. He was hurt, and later she attempted to make it up to him by doing aegyo, but he continued to sulk.

In the behind-the-scenes clip, Junho put his foot down concerning his character when he was given directions he disagreed with. Although Gu Won might have been upset at that moment, Junho did not want him to raise his voice toward Sa Rang or get violent in any way.

…but that’s too aggressive. I’m concerned about two things. I’d like [the scene] to be not violent, and I also don’t want to raise my voice too much.

— Junho

The director agreed. So, they tried alternatives, such as spinning around out of Sa Rang’s reach, snatching his arm away, and throwing his arms up.

Director: You’re right. Let’s try it out.

Junho: Should I try lowering my arm like this?

The clip has gone viral with 93.2K views at the time of writing. King the Land viewers have had an epiphany. Gu Won stands out from other K-Drama male leads due to Junho’s input and directions.

Gu Won could have easily been depicted as the stereotypical toxic chaebol male lead, especially since King the Land‘s story has such a classic K-Drama vibe. Yet, he has rarely displayed such behaviors. Never has he resorted to forcefully grabbing her by the wrist or suddenly kissing her without consent. Even though the story is an enemies-to-lovers, he only disliked Sa Rang for the first couple of episodes! Even then, he was not cruel toward her.

So many of Gu Won’s gestures noticed throughout King the Land now have viewers asking, “Is that Gu Won or Junho?” 

Previously, Junho had netizens swooning due to his behavior behind-the-scenes. He is such a gentleman! Read more below.

2PM’s Junho Is Making Netizens Swoon With His Behavior Towards Girls’ Generation’s Yoona While Filming “King The Land”

Source: JTBC Drama

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