Actor Lee Hyun-wook expressed his distress over the controversy surrounding historical inaccuracies in the drama Wonkyeong.
On the afternoon of the 19th, an interview was held at a café in Gangnam, Seoul, with Lee Hyun-wook, who starred in the tvN X TVING original drama Wonkyeong (written by Lee Young-mi, directed by Kim Sang-ho). He spoke candidly about portraying King Taejong (Yi Bang-won) and addressed the controversy over historical distortion.
Why He Chose to Play Yi Bang-won
Regarding his decision to take on the role, Lee Hyun-wook stated, “Not many actors have had the chance to play Yi Bang-won. This was a rare opportunity, and I thought I might never get another chance to portray him.”
When asked if he felt pressured since it was his first historical drama, he responded, “I was drawn to the charm of historical dramas. I initially thought I wouldn’t suit a beard, but it actually worked out well,” he joked.
Yi Bang-won has been depicted numerous times in past works. Given the many references available, was it difficult to craft a new version of the character? Lee Hyun-wook acknowledged, “Many great senior actors have played Yi Bang-won, and most portrayed him with a very masculine image.”
However, after researching historical records, he found “aspects of Yi Bang-won that differed from those portrayals. While he was a cold and calculating figure, he wasn’t devoid of humanity. He must have felt lonely and isolated. I wanted to show that inner conflict and the emotional struggles he faced while shaping his legacy and carrying the burden of kingship.”
To achieve this, Lee Hyun-wook studied a variety of historical sources. He explained, “I immersed myself in historical records, documentaries about King Taejong, and even past dramas like Tears of the Dragon that depicted Yi Bang-won.”
He also reflected on the risks of reinterpreting such a well-known figure: “Our version of Taejong was a bold new take, but I felt it was necessary. If I had played him with the same intensity as Yoo Dong-geun [a veteran actor who previously portrayed Yi Bang-won], it would have just been a continuation of past interpretations. For the sake of diversity in character portrayals, I believed a different approach was needed.”
Controversy Over Historical Distortion
Despite his efforts, the drama faced criticism for allegedly undermining Yi Bang-won’s character—portraying him as weak to highlight the protagonist, Wonkyeong. This led to accusations of historical distortion.
Regarding this, Lee Hyun-wook admitted, “It was extremely difficult and painful. I was deeply troubled by the criticism and felt a great deal of guilt.” He continued, “I cried a lot. It was heartbreaking to see my performance dismissed as character degradation rather than being recognized for the effort I put into it.”
He emphasized that no one involved in the production intended to distort history, saying, “We conducted thorough research and consulted experts. Even history teachers told us that historical records can be interpreted differently depending on perspective, so we knew we couldn’t satisfy everyone. That’s why we were even more cautious and tried to be as careful as possible.”
Falling in Love with Historical Dramas
Despite the challenges, Lee Hyun-wook expressed a newfound passion for historical dramas: “In modern dramas, I create characters based on my own observations and emotions. But in historical dramas, I can fully immerse myself in method acting, which is very appealing.”
He added, “The costumes, the sets, the nostalgic atmosphere of the era—all of these elements make historical dramas incredibly immersive. They allow for deeper, more nuanced performances.”
He also shared his aspirations, saying, “I’d love to play historical figures like Crown Prince Sado in the future.”
Meanwhile, Lee Hyun-wook recently wrapped up his role as King Taejong (Yi Bang-won) in Wonkyeong, which concluded on the 11th. His performance was praised for portraying an emotionally complex character, seamlessly shifting between a ruthless ruler and a man burdened by inner turmoil.