[INTERVIEW] Lee Jin-hyuk Opens Up About His Character in ‘My Idol, My Debut’ and His Next Acting Goals

The Seoul Story recently caught up with Lee Jin-hyuk to discuss his latest drama, My Idol, My Debut, and his role as E. Sun, a passionate idol trainee chasing his dream of making it to the stage. With his own personal experience as a trainee, idol and actor, Lee Jin-hyuk brings a unique perspective to the drama’s portrayal of the journey towards debut. In our conversation, he reflects on his character, his chemistry with the cast, and how his own journey has shaped him as an actor.

Q: Please introduce yourself to The Seoul Story readers.

A: Hi, I’m Lee Jin-Hyuk — I play E. Sun of BOY TO THE MOON in My Idol, My Debut. Great to meet The Seoul Story’s readers.

Q: We are enjoying your latest work, My Idol, My Debut. What was it about the script that made you want to be part of this project?

A: The original web novel already had a huge following, and what drew me in was how well the script captured the trainees’ hunger and passion for their debut. I’ve lived through all of it myself — trainee life, group promotions, solo work — so I was curious what I could bring to playing a trainee and idol again with real experience behind me. That curiosity, and the chance to show a new side of myself, is what sealed it.

Q: Was there a particular aspect of E.Sun’s character that you immediately connected with? How did that connection help you bring E.Sun to life?

A: E. Sun and I are pretty different personality-wise. I genuinely loved being on stage, but E. Sun’s just been cast — he’s still more caught up in the pressure to perform and deliver than in actually enjoying it. Where I did relate to him was that hunger to earn his spot on stage, and the weight of being a trainee. I’ve lived all of that myself — trainee days, group promotions, solo work — so those emotions naturally fed into how I played him. Remembering practicing and joking around with the members also helped me shape E. Sun’s relationships within BOY TO THE MOON.

Q: Did playing E.Sun help you discover anything about yourself as an actor?

A: E. Sun is unlike anyone I’ve played — bright, quirky, and impossible to predict. His Korean is a little broken too, being a third-generation Korean-Canadian, so making that land as charm instead of awkwardness took work. He wasn’t easy to play, but it uncovered a free-spirited side of me I didn’t know I had. Watching him, I hope my fans think, “Oh, I didn’t know Jin-hyuk could play this.”

Q: What was it like filming with Ji Chang-min, Hwang Ji-ah, and the rest of the cast? Is there a memorable or funny behind-the-scenes story you could share with us?

A: The atmosphere on set was comfortable because so many of us are peers. E.Sun’s positive and quirky energy made the scenes fun for everyone, myself included. I already knew Chang-min, who plays Jae-ha — but we got even closer this time, talking through what kind of chemistry we’d need to show. And since most of us had idol backgrounds, teamwork came together fast. The scene I remember most: Day one, full beggar getup, lying on the street from the very first day of filming. I’ve never tried anything like it before, so it left a real impression.

Q: If you could swap roles with any character in My Idol, My Debut for a day, who would it be and why?

A: Annie! I’m curious what it feels like to be that devoted a fan — and then debuting while carrying that same devotion.

Q: You have appeared in multiple dramas and web series over the past few years. After My Idol, My Debut, what kind of new roles or genres would you like to explore next?

A: I’d love to take on a villain in a genre piece — dark, intense, nothing like what I’ve shown so far. On the other hand, I’d love to play the lead in a classic love story, delicately expressing the depth of emotions. I haven’t done either yet, so I’m curious how I’d bring them to life.

Q: My Idol, My Debut will be watched by audiences around the world. How does it feel to share this project with international fans who have supported you throughout your career?

A: I’m here with you, thanks to another project — I’m always grateful for a new chance to reach my fans around the globe. Your support means the world to me, and you give me so much strength even from so far away. I hope E.Sun’s positive energy and warmth stay with you for a long time. Thank you again for your love and support.

Q: Having experienced life as an idol yourself, is there a message or central theme in this project that you hope will resonate with audience?

A: I hope that the hunger and earnestness of every character really get through to everyone — regardless of the outcome. Even in the story, there were many that were eventually cut. The character Baek Seong-hun embodies that harsh reality. If anything, the series actually softens how brutally competitive that world really is.

Q: If you could describe your journey so far as an actor and idol in just three words, what would they be and why?

A: Youth. My twenties. Again. It’d be those three words. I poured my youth into my youth, I received so much love in my twenties as an idol and actor, and ‘again’ because I would do it all over again if I had to, and also as a reminder to steer my thirties with the passion I had in my twenties.

Q: Looking back at your younger self when you first debuted, what advice would today’s Lee Jin-hyuk give him?

A: I’d say, “It’s going to be hard — hang in there. Grow into someone stronger and wiser.”

All episodes of My Idol, My Debut is now available on MBC Plus, TVING and Wavve.
Thank you to L’July Entertainment for the interview opportunity!

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