Veteran actor Lee Hoon got honest about the harsh reality behind his recent career struggles, revealing that after years of stalled projects, he’s reached a point where he fears he may not be able to sustain himself.
In the latest episode of KBS‘s Unpredictable Fortunetellers, the OG heartthrob actor shared that all the projects he had lined up over the past three years have fallen through. He explained that a K-Drama he was filming in 2024 was scrapped, while another project scheduled to shoot in the U.S. in 2025 was indefinitely postponed due to various issues. Even a project planned for this year has been pushed back indefinitely due to budget constraints.
With one delay after another, Lee Hoon admitted he now finds himself at a critical crossroads as an actor. While he acknowledged that he could walk away from acting entirely if necessary, the situation is complicated by the fact that opportunities still come his way—just not ones that ultimately materialize. It’s that lingering possibility that has made it difficult for him to let go.
Show host Seo Jang Hoon weighed in with some tough but practical advice, describing Lee Hoon as someone diligent but also very prideful and stubborn. He suggested that at this stage, it may be necessary for him to let go of some of that pride and actively pursue roles more aggressively, even if it means stepping outside his comfort zone.
At this rate, I feel like I’m going to starve to death. I’m really desperate. I’m willing to audition for roles, too. I’ve even won acting awards. Please call me anytime. This is really hard.
— Lee Hoon
Having debuted in 1994 through the K-Drama Seoul’s Moon, Lee Hoon built a career playing strong, masculine roles that earned him recognition and public support. Now, decades later, he finds himself fighting not for stardom, but simply for the chance to keep working.
