'I understand why it is so popular,' Lee Jong-won says of MBC's 'Knight Flower'

Lee Jong-won reflects on the success of MBC's "Knight Flower" and the challenges of his first lead role in the sageuk. Despite feeling nervous initially, now he is optimistic about his future career opportunities.

Actors Lee Jong-won, left, and Lee Ha-nee during a scene of MBC's recently concluded historical rom-com "Knight Flower" [MBC]

Lee Jong-won made his mark as a budding actor through the MBC romantic comedy “Knight Flower,” which concluded with record viewership ratings on Saturday.

“So many more people recognize me now,” Lee Jong-won told the press at a cafe in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Feb. 15. “I never expected this kind of response to the show, and it all feels surreal."

The 12-part sageuk (Korean historical drama) recorded average viewership ratings of 18 percent nationwide, reaching a high of 22 percent, according to Nielsen Ratings Korea on Sunday. It is the highest rating that MBC has seen to date during the show’s time slot, Fridays and Saturdays from 9:50 p.m. to 11:10 p.m., topping that of the 2021 drama “The Red Sleeve.”

Lee Jong-won as Soo-ho in "Knight Flower" [MBC]

“I understand why it is so popular,” Lee said. “I, like everyone else, have been watching the show every week and have become an avid fan.”

Set in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), “Knight Flower” revolves around a forbidden love between a widower, Yeo-hwa, played by Lee Ha-nee, who leads a double life, and government officer Soo-ho, played by Lee Jong-won.

“It was a new kind of romance to act out, because while there was high romantic tension and fluttery feelings, there was zero physical contact between Yeo-hwa and Soo-ho,” he said. “They don’t even hold hands at any point in the show. All their feelings are delivered through their eyes. It was an interesting acting experience as well.”

Lee Jong-won [THE BLACK LABEL]

When asked what the actor himself would do when faced with such forbidden love, he answered that he would give it a shot, like Soo-ho.

“The kind of love that Soo-ho and Yeo-hwa have is rare, and if I was in his place, I would try different ways to make it work.”

Actors Lee Jong-won, left, and Lee Ha-nee in a scene from "Knight Flower" [MBC]

Lee Jong-won debuted as a model before foraying into the world of acting in 2018 with a web series titled “Go Back Diary.” He is best known for the 2022 drama series “The Golden Spoon,” for which he received the Best New Actor award during the MBC Drama Awards that same year.

“Knight Flower” was his choice of work following the award, and it turned out to be a great learning experience for him, according to Lee.

“It was my first time doing sageuk, so I had to learn a lot — everything from the way people talked and walked during those times to horseback riding and archery,” he said. “It was also especially difficult because I am left-handed, but during the Joseon Dynasty, everyone was right-handed, so I had to learn to do everything with my less dominant hand.”

“Knight Flower” was also his first time in a lead role. He shared the protagonist with four other actors in “The Golden Spoon.”

“I was constantly nervous and on edge because I had so much more responsibility this time, but those pressures also motivated me to try harder," he said.

On the verge of turning 30, Lee Jong-won said that he feels he is in a great place, both career-wise and as a person.

“I feel really good these days, and just can’t wait to put this energy into another work,” he said. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I am not worried — I’m excited!

“I love acting, but I also like music and art. I have a lot to show and I'm feeling confident.”

To learn more about Lee Jong-won, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]