Lee Je-hoon on Rival Drama When Life Gives You Tangerines: “I’m Looking Forward to It”

During the press conference for JTBC’s new weekend drama The Art of Negotiation on March 6 at Ramada Seoul Sindorim Hotel, Lee shared his thoughts on the two dramas airing in the same time slot.

Actor Lee Je-hoon has welcomed the upcoming showdown between The Art of Negotiation and IU & Park Bo-gum’s When Life Gives You Tangerines.

"When Life Gives You Tangerines is a drama I’m really looking forward to as well," he said. "Since both shows are premiering around the same time, comparisons are inevitable, but they offer very different genres. Ultimately, it just means more great content for viewers to enjoy. I hope K-drama fans embrace both shows and have fun watching."

"Usually, at a press conference, I'm filled with curiosity about how the audience will receive the drama, but this time, I just feel incredibly proud," he said. "Working with a director I’ve long respected and collaborating with the best actors is a huge honor."

He added, "This drama is so special that I wonder if something like it will ever come again. I truly can’t wait for its release, and I wholeheartedly recommend it."

A Bold Transformation—Lee Je-hoon on His White-Haired Look

One of the drama’s striking visual elements is Lee Je-hoon’s white-haired transformation, which director Ahn Pan-seok personally advocated for.

"When I first read the script, the main character was described as having white hair, and that image stuck with me. I couldn’t imagine him any other way," said Ahn. "It meant Lee Je-hoon had to come in four hours early for makeup, but he endured it and carried it through to the end."

Lee shared his thoughts on the bold choice: "As an actor, I always want to show a new side of myself. At first, I worried about whether the audience would accept the character's white hair, but when I thought of Yoon Joo-no as a man who carefully weighs every decision, it made sense. I took the leap, and now, I’m really happy with the result."

A High-Stakes Drama Set in the Corporate World

In The Art of Negotiation, Lee Je-hoon plays Yoon Joo-no, a legendary dealmaker and top M&A expert in the corporate world. The series follows his team’s high-stakes negotiations and the challenges they face.

Premiering on March 8 at 10:30 PM KST on JTBC, the drama is set to bring intense corporate drama and strategic battles to the screen.