Lee Je Hoon opens up about his family’s fall during the 1997 IMF crisis
Lee Je Hoon revealed his family’s harsh reality after the 1997 IMF financial crisis in South Korea. His father went from a businessman running a rice shop and restaurant to a daily laborer.
The actor shared these personal details during a June 2 interview about his new movie Big Deal, set during the IMF crisis. The film focuses on the battle over Korea’s national soju industry between two opposing professionals.
Lee said the story hit close to home because he directly experienced the crisis.
“I actually experienced a difficult time during the IMF crisis, so it was meaningful to tell this story.”
— Lee Je Hoon
He recalled the tough years from middle school into his early 20s.
“My family ran a business— a rice shop and a restaurant. After the IMF crisis, I saw my father going out to do day labor and that’s when I realized just how difficult things had become.”
— Lee Je Hoon
Lee also witnessed many small businesses collapsing around him, making the film’s story very personal.
Despite these hardships, Lee switched from a Biotechnology major at Korea University to study acting at Korea National University of Arts. After 20+ years in the industry, he’s now a top Korean actor, leaving the IMF crisis scars behind.
