Topics / May. 29, 2021
Netflix’s May 2021 South Korean hit series Move to Heaven follows an unlikely pair of "trauma cleaners’" who in the course of their business uncover untold stories about the deceased and pass them on to their families. The main protagonist of the series, Lee Je-hoon plays Sang-gu, a thug-like ex-convict who is entrusted to be his Aspergian nephew, Geu-ru’s guardian upon being released from prison. The show has been widely praised as an alternative workplace drama that translates grief into heartfelt life stories.
Move to Heaven Official Netflix Trailer
Shortly after the premiere of Move to Heaven, Lee Je-Hoon instantly became a top-searched name over the web. An assortment of quotes and clips from the show went viral amongst South Korean drama fans and have been regularly appearing on Instagram ever since its release. The actor himself is a gorgeous sight to behold, with an impeccable build and an adorable, affable face. Paired with his authentic, heart-touching performance in Move to Heaven, it is no wonder Lee Je-hoon, today has quickly risen through the ranks to become a favorite among his legion of growing fans from all over the globe.
Move to Heaven (Source: Netflix）
However, it might come as a surprise that Lee was not met with immediate success when he first made his debut in the late aughts. In 2009, the man played the character of Seok in the openly gay South Korean director Kim Jho Gwang-soo’s short film Just Friends?, which, at the time, sought to challenge one of the most sensitive and pressing LGBTQ+ issues in South Korea ––– gay people in the army. Thereafter, Lee slowly started to make a name for himself as he later took part in several other popular South Korean films and series such as Bleak Night (2011), Signal (2016), and Taxi Driver (2021).
Watch Just Friends? on GagaOOLala
Just Friends? (Source: GagaOOLala）
Expecting a cozy night outside of the barracks, Seok (Lee Je-hoon) visits his boyfriend Min-soo (Yeon Woo-jin) who is serving in the military but runs into Min-soo's mother. When the mother questions their relationship, the only explanation they could give is that they’re "just friends." The two men hoping to get laid are then met with an unexpected turn, forcing them to spend the night together with Min-soo's mother.
Just Friends? (Source: GagaOOLala）
Just Friends? was screened at the Taiwan International Queer Film Festival in 2014. Albeit a film about the military and family, the South Korean queer title does not feel grave or heavy but rather humorous and cute. The story struck a chord with the audiences at the film festival with smiles on their faces as Lee’s character Seok begins the film with some delightful dancing and singing. “We are testicle-playing gay people in the army”, jokes Min-soo. The two are ready to get things going even before the mother leaves the room, and when she finally does, things get interesting. The 29-minutes short is simply too adorable to miss out on.
Just Friends? (Source: GagaOOLala）
Just Friends? (Source: GagaOOLala)
Taiwanese people will find that Lee resembles Wilber Pan, the American-Taiwanese singer. Lee once expressed that he thinks Park Jeong-min, his co-star from Bleak Night, was someone who “gave him the strength and support” and whom he “deeply appreciates as a friend”. What’s more is that the South Korean star is a loyal fan of G-Dragon, the famous South Korean rapper from the boy band BIGBANG, who is most famously referred to as “the king of K-pop”. But that’s enough words about Lee Je-hoon. Here are some more eye-pleasing pictures of the handsome and adorable man for you to devour.
（Source: Instagram）
（Source: Instagram）
（Source: Instagram）
When you’re finished with the visual feast, make sure you follow the South Korean heartthrob and rightfully check out Just Friends? which is exclusively available to stream on GagaOOLala, the global LGBTQ+ streaming plaform from Asia!
For more of Lee Je-Hoon, follow:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leejehoon_official/
