Actor Lee Junho is showing no signs of slowing down, opening up about his intense physical transformations and teasing his next big-screen role.
On December 17, a new video titled “What Did the Dragon Tarot Say That Shook Hero Lee Junho?” was released on comedian Lee Yong-jin’s YouTube channel. During the episode, Lee Junho spoke candidly about his recent projects, including Netflix’s Cashero and his upcoming film Veteran 3.
Discussing Cashero, Lee explained that the character’s superpowered setting required a stronger physical presence. “Because the role involved supernatural abilities, I wanted my body to look bigger than usual,” he shared. “There’s a shirtless scene in the teaser, so I worked to increase my size and went up to 79 kilograms. I bulked up by gaining both muscle and weight.”
He added that the transformation wasn’t uniform throughout the project. “At the beginning of the story, I appear quite lean, but toward the later part, I intentionally gained a lot of weight. It took a lot of effort.”
Lee Junho also spoke honestly about the challenges of managing his weight for different roles. “Losing weight is actually harder for me,” he said. “When bulking up for muscle, I can focus on protein and still eat what I want. But cutting weight means barely eating and exercising constantly.” He recalled dropping to 73 kilograms for a previous project, adding that he is currently still recovering from recent filming and feels slightly swollen.
The actor revealed that his natural weight typically stays around 69 to 70 kilograms, which he maintained during popular dramas such as The Red Sleeve and King the Land.
Beyond physical changes, Lee Junho reflected on his mindset this year. “I think my heart has become more at ease,” he said. “I experienced a lot this year and learned more clearly about what I can control and what I can’t. Sometimes effort doesn’t lead to results, and I was reminded that accepting that is part of the process.”
Looking ahead, Lee confirmed that ‘Veteran 3’ will be his next project. “I’ll probably start filming next year, and this time, I’m playing a villain,” he revealed. “In Good Manager, my character eventually changed for the better, but this role is different. He’s a truly bad villain who will be thoroughly punished.”
Lee Junho added that while Veteran 3 is confirmed, he is currently reviewing scripts for his next project, signaling another busy year ahead.
With continuous transformations, emotional depth, and a bold turn as a full-fledged antagonist, Lee Junho is set to showcase yet another side of his evolving acting career.