2PM's Lee Junho Reacts to Taecyeon's Marriage News While Discussing 'Taepung Trading Company' and 'Cashero'

Lee Junho addressed fellow 2PM member Ok Taecyeon's engagement announcement and reflected on family relationships during a December 2 interview following the finale of his tvN drama "Taepung Trading Company."

Junho's Take on 2PM Marriages

With Taecyeon set to marry his longtime girlfriend in spring 2025, 2PM now has two members planning family life. Hwang Chansung married in early 2022 and became a father that July.

"It's not that I haven't thought about it at all," Junho said when asked about marriage. "If the situation naturally arises, I'm prepared to embrace it naturally. Seeing so many fellow actors and colleagues living new, happy lives makes me want to support them."

The 35-year-old actor, born January 25, 1990, maintains that 2PM members keep their support understated. "Among ourselves, we'd feel embarrassed to text after watching something. If someone says 'I enjoyed it,' we'd respond 'Why are you being like this?' We're like family in that way."

However, Junho expressed gratitude to fellow member Jang Wooyoung: "Wooyoung told me he really enjoyed it and that I worked hard. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Wooyoung."

Father-Son Bonds Through Drama

"Taepung Trading Company," which concluded November 30, centers on a young businessman navigating South Korea's 1997 IMF crisis after inheriting his late father's struggling company. The emotional father-son dynamic resonated with Junho personally.

"This was a project that made me think more about family," he explained. "More than anything, I found myself talking about health with my father. The drama shows a character who loses his father and belatedly realizes his father's love."

Junho's father worked as a ship navigator during his childhood, leaving for six-month stretches. "My father's absence was significant. Later, when my father became a civil servant, there was a period when we grew closer, but then adolescence came and that time passed."

His father's reaction to the drama? Characteristically brief. "He's not one to write long, elaborate messages. He just said it was good and that I worked hard."

Romance and Nostalgia in 1997

The drama featured Junho as Kang Taepung opposite Kim Minha's Oh Misun. Kim had praised Junho in a November 26 interview, calling him someone who "takes care of people very well and meticulously."

Junho reciprocated: "Since we filmed so many scenes together, we developed a natural rhythm. Once the cameras started rolling, completely different dynamics would emerge depending on the situation and atmosphere on set."

Regarding their kiss scenes, which Kim said felt comfortable due to their friendship, Junho agreed: "We did talk about whether it might be awkward if we're too friendly, but when we actually filmed, I didn't feel that at all."

The drama's 1997 setting sparked Junho's reflections on childhood. "I didn't experience the IMF crisis directly, but my parents both worked, so I didn't get to spend much time with them. When my mother went to work, she would write me Post-it note messages, and when I came home from school, I would write back. We built that kind of romance."

Career Philosophy and Fatigue

Since debuting with 2PM in 2008, Junho has balanced music and acting careers, starring in hits including "Chief Kim," "The Red Sleeve," and "King the Land."

"As I continue working and concentrating, I naturally become more immersed, so I think I just naturally love what I do," he said about prioritizing work.

He acknowledged physical exhaustion but dismissed burnout concerns. "It's more that I'm tired these days rather than experiencing burnout. I think it depends on how you frame it. If I think 'I'm burnt out,' then real burnout might come. But if I just think 'I'm tired,' then it's just fatigue."

Junho also addressed criticism about infrequent communication on paid fan platform Bubble. "That's entirely my fault. It's right that I should check in more often. When I'm filming, I get so immersed in the character that time flies by without me noticing."

'Cashero' Arrives December 26

Junho's next project, Netflix's "Cashero," premieres December 26. The eight-episode series follows Kang Sangung, a government worker whose physical strength increases with the cash he holds-but the money disappears when he uses his power.

"'Cashero' is a really refreshing watch," Junho said. "With episodes running under an hour each, it's a work you can binge-watch in one sitting without any drag."

The cast includes Kim Hyejun as Sangung's fiancée, plus Kim Byungchul, Kim Hyanggi, Lee Chaemin, and Kang Hanna.

Actor's Dreams

Junho's aspirations remain grounded. "As an actor, I want to be known as someone people trust to watch. As a singer, someone people trust to listen to. I want to hear that I'm really good at this work."

He smiled when asked about continued success: "I want to keep hitting it out of the park. But that's not entirely up to me. The standard for 'going well' differs for everyone. With this drama, I hoped that Taepung Trading Company's mindset and spirit would be conveyed well."

"Taepung Trading Company" aired on tvN from October 11 to November 30, 2024. "Cashero" streams globally on Netflix starting December 26, 2024.