Lee Je-hoon to reveal real world of M&As in 'The Art of Negotiation'

Director Ahn Pan-seok says it will deliver 'taste of truth'

By Park Jin-hai

Director Ahn Pan-seok, known as a master of romance for the Korean dramas "Something in the Rain" (2018), "Secret Affair" (2014) and "One Spring Night" (2019), ventures into new territory with his latest project, "The Art of Negotiation," a drama centered on the high-stakes world of corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Ahn's ace for this drama is Lee Je-hoon, who has boldly transformed himself with striking platinum white hair for the role. Lee portrays the legendary negotiator Yoon Joo-no, nicknamed "White Snake." The actor admitted that embracing such a dramatic change was challenging.

"Actors naturally have a strong desire to show new sides of themselves. When the director suggested the platinum white hair, I initially worried about whether it would be captured well on screen," Lee said regarding his new look for the series during a press conference at Ramada by Wyndham Seoul Sindorim in Guro District, Thursday.

"Director Ahn told me that Joo-no was a person whose thoughts were impossible to read. He seems like the type who acts after thinking some 100 times to me. He's enigmatic, but I wanted to reveal the his depths as a negotiator. It was challenging, but I built up courage and tried. I'm pleased with the result and I'm glad I can introduce the art of negotiation through Joo-no. I believe he will be a memorable character."

The new JTBC weekend drama boasts a stellar cast of seasoned actors and chronicles the exploits of a corporate M&A expert and his formidable team. Along with Lee, actor Kim Dae-myung portrays anM&A team negotiation lawyer; Sung Dong-il is cast as the head of the financially strugglingSanin Group; and Jang Hyun-sung is the company's chief financial officer.

Ahn described the series as a "drama that delivers the taste of truth."

"When I first read the script, it was so interesting that I read it all at once," he said.

Noting that even a fleeting glance is enough to discern a true actor's talent, the director praised Lee's acting.

"Adorned in stark platinum white hair and a tailored suit, his presence on set commanded palpable respect. Crews instinctively offered deferential greetings — such was the aura he projected. Throughout the 70-day shoot, he embodied an enigma, a figure untethered to age or rank. His gaze and his very stride were seamlessly woven into the character," he said.

"For the white hair aesthetic, Lee had to arrive on set at least four hours in advance. As the actor with the most extensive screen time, he unfailingly adhered to this rigorous schedule, arriving four hours early every single day."

Lee said his main reason for joining this project was undoubtedly Ahn.

"I've long admired his ability to project human introspection onto characters. I was particularly excited by the prospect of showcasing a new facet of my acting alongside such a stellar cast," he said.

"Ahn's work is grounded in realism, portraying narratives that feel authentically lived. While this drama explores the corporate world, it is fundamentally a story about people. I sincerely hope that viewers will find resonance in the human experiences depicted, gaining a deeper understanding of both themselves and the world around them."

The drama will premiere on JTBC at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.