[Interview] 'Casino' Hit Lee Hae-woo... Opening the Second Act of His Acting Career

Actor quits and works in a company for 3 years
'Casino' draws attention as a stepping stone for comeback

Actor Lee Hae-woo (35) has been praised as the greatest discovery of 'Casino.' A familiar yet unfamiliar face. He is a respectable 13-year veteran actor. He mainly appeared in TV dramas, then quit acting and worked in a company, but fate led him back to living as an actor. Last year, he tied his shoelaces again by signing a contract with an entertainment agency.

Recently, Lee Hae-woo met with Asia Economy at a location in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and recalled, "I felt that acting was not my path, so I worked for 3 to 4 years at a lighting company run by my father," adding, "But deep down, I had a yearning to act."

He continued, "I spent my days reading newspapers and books, exercising to stay healthy. While working at the company, I met various people and eventually realized that acting is about telling stories about people and their relationships."

[Interview] 'Casino' Hit Lee Hae-woo... Opening the Second Act of His Acting Career

Actor Lee Hae-woo
Photo by Saramen Entertainment

Lee Hae-woo debuted with the drama 'Golden Fish' (2010), appeared in the movie 'Perfect Game' (2011), dramas 'Ruby Ring' (2013), 'Rose Lovers' (2014), and took his first lead role in the TV novel 'Still Green Days' (2015). After a brief hiatus following 'Wind, Clouds, and Rain' (2020), he resumed acting with the TVING series 'Rose Mansion' (2022) and recently left a strong impression in the Disney+ series 'Casino.' It seemed like fate that he became an actor again, seemingly by chance.

"I was taking a break from acting, which I had devoted my twenties to, and working at a company when CEO Jang Won-seok, whom I connected with through 'Perfect Game,' contacted me. He offered me a small role in 'Rose Mansion,' so I started acting again. Later, he also suggested the audition for 'Casino.' Since it was a role of a Filipino-Korean overseas agent, I prepared an English monologue and even applied a tattoo sticker on my arm as makeup. I sent the video, and I got cast."

In 'Casino,' Lee Hae-woo played Philip, an overseas Korean casino agent who forms a team with Cha Mu-sik (played by Choi Min-sik) and Yang Jeong-pal (played by Lee Dong-hwi), becoming a close aide to Chairman Ko (played by Lee Hye-young). He said, "I tanned my skin to give off a Filipino-Korean vibe. Since my skin doesn't tan easily, it was tough."

The sudden shocking ending left a lingering impression. Lee Hae-woo said, "I didn't expect such a reaction to the ending, but many around me said they were shocked and found it sudden. That scene was the first shoot for 'Casino.' After arriving in the Philippines, I rested for a day and shot immediately. I was so busy that I don't remember how I filmed it. I'm grateful that many people liked it."

Actor Lee Hae-woo Photo by Saram Entertainment

Recalling the filming in the Philippines, a smile lingered on his lips. He said he grew close with the actors while staying at a hotel for several months. Lee Hae-woo said, "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was difficult to move outside, so we spent time swimming and chatting at the hotel."

"After filming 'Rose Mansion,' I decided to act again. I wrote down my goal as 'work with Choi Min-sik,' and within a month, I was cast in 'Casino.' Acting alongside my role model senior felt like a dream. The senior treated me like a friend on set. We spent time together even when not filming, which brought us closer. Usually, he acts playfully and comfortably with juniors. Even in the scene walking through the hotel, you could feel the narrative and aura. I decided to become a great actor like him."

Lee Hae-woo, who dreamed of becoming an actor while watching Choi Min-sik's lead role in 'Oldboy' (2003), said, "I definitely want to work with director Park Chan-wook," adding, "I love movies."

Lee Hae-woo said he wants to be an actor who consistently acts. He said, "I feel thirsty for projects. I am standing at the starting point of my full-fledged acting career. You could say it's the second act of my acting life." He added, "I want to do a work that covers the entire life story of a character. It would be even better if it's a real person."