Actor Lee Hyun-wook describes his career as "a tree that is slowly but surely growing its branches," steadily expanding his filmography with multidimensional and challenging roles, no matter the obstacles.

In a recent interview, Lee discussed his experience working on the tvN and Tving drama "The Queen Who Crowns," set in the late Goryeo (918-1392) and early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

The historical drama centers on Queen Wongyeong (Cha Joo-young), who rises to power along with her husband, King Taejong (Lee Hyun-wook), revealing the fiery dynamics between the king and queen, husband and wife, and the unspoken tensions that lie between them.

Lee took on the challenge of portraying Yi Bang-won, who later became Joseon's third monarch King Taejong, as both a deeply human character and a determined ruler striving to maintain his authority.

"This is a special project for me because it’s my first historical drama," he said. "I worked on it for nearly a year and poured my heart into it. I wanted to show a different side of Taejong, and I put a lot of effort into that."

Unlike previous portrayals of King Taejong, which emphasized his masculine and charismatic presence, Lee aimed to bring out a more humanized version of the monarch.

"If it had been the same Taejong as in past dramas — overwhelmingly strong and domineering — I wouldn’t have taken on this role," he said. Instead, he placed his trust in the production team, which helped him overcome the pressure of portraying such a significant historical figure.

Director Kim Sang-ho’s confidence in him also played a crucial role. "During our first meeting, the director told me that I was the Yi Bang-won he was looking for. That gave me a huge boost of confidence," Lee recalled. "He saw something in my previous works, particularly in 'Song of the Bandits,' where I struggled with emotions over a loved one."

Balancing love, conflict

One of the key relationships in "The Queen Who Crowns" is the dynamic between Taejong and Queen Wongyeong, who love each other yet frequently clash over political disagreements.

Lee worried that their interactions might lean too much toward hatred rather than the complex blend of love and conflict he wanted to portray.

"It was frustrating for me personally. I wanted to show that they struggled, overcame conflicts, and still loved each other," he said. "I did everything I could, but in the end, I feel like the hatred stood out more than I intended. I was concerned that it might tarnish the real-life figures’ reputations and honor."

Through his research, Lee concluded that Taejong deeply loved Queen Wongyeong until the end. He based this interpretation on historical records showing that Taejong personally chose her burial site and decided they should be buried together.

Given that the drama focuses on Queen Wongyeong’s life, balancing her relationship with Taejong was critical to maintaining the story’s perspective. To achieve this, the director and cast engaged in extensive discussions to find the right tone and balance.

To make Taejong feel more human, Lee deliberately adjusted his approach to traditional historical drama acting styles.

"I didn’t just use the typical energy of a historical drama," he said. "For intense moments, I didn’t just roar every time. If I had, I wouldn’t have been able to get into Taejong’s emotional state. It was difficult to express the energy outward while keeping the details precise, but I think I managed to find the right balance."

Admiration for Cha Joo-young

When asked about working with Cha Joo-young, Lee was full of praise. "She’s a complete actor — smart and immensely talented. She didn’t come from a traditional acting background, so the amount of effort she must have put in is incredible. She’s truly captivating and intelligent," he said.

To commemorate their collaboration, Lee prepared a special gift for Cha on the drama’s final day. "I wrote her a letter and gave her 55 flowers," he said. "Queen Wongyeong passed away at 55, so I wanted the gift to be significant for her."

While Lee’s portrayal of Taejong has earned him praise, he remains focused on his own areas of improvement.

"Whether it’s an audition or a project, if things don’t turn out the way I imagined, it’s pointless to blame others," he said. "I’ve never once been fully satisfied with my own performance. I think most actors feel that way — we’ll probably never be content, even until the day we die."

Still, Lee recognizes that "The Queen Who Crowns" is a milestone in his career. "This was my first historical drama, and it left a mark on my filmography," he said. "I gave it my all." (The Korea Times)