Lee Jun-hyuk's On-Set Struggles and Growth as an Actor
Actor Lee Jun-hyuk recently spoke candidly about the painful early years of his career. Reflecting on the hardship he endured in his 20s, Lee recalled staying up all night on set, being constantly berated, and even said he was treated "worse than human." It was a shocking admission, pulling back the curtain on the often-hidden realities of film and TV production.
His story isn't just a personal anecdote—it opens up larger conversations about the entertainment industry's harsh working conditions and human rights violations. At the same time, he emphasizes how those grueling experiences helped him develop into the actor he is today. Lee’s path offers both inspiration and a call for introspection within the industry.
Hardships or Hazing: Do Tough Sets Make Better Actors?
The Case for Growth Through Struggle
Lee credits the brutal working conditions with sharpening his acting skills. He says being pushed to the edge emotionally and physically forced him to fully understand character dynamics and emotional nuance (subtle differences).
This concept isn't exclusive to South Korea. In Hollywood, actor Christian Bale famously underwent a risky and extreme weight loss for the film The Machinist. By fully committing to such a transformation, he delivered one of his most compelling performances. Similarly, Lee’s harsh experiences acted not just as trials but as the forge for his craft.
Psychology backs this up. Some research suggests that when individuals undergo repeated, high-stress training, they develop deeper emotional resilience and stronger adaptive skills. For actors, that could mean accessing deeper emotional landscapes for their performances—making what they portray on screen more authentic and heartfelt.
The Problem With Romanticizing Pain
However, there's a darker side to Lee’s narrative. His account sheds light on an outdated and exploitative industry culture where overwork, verbal abuse, and lack of safety protocols remain disturbingly common. Especially in South Korea, cases of on-set overwork and injuries to both crew and cast continue to surface.
For instance, multiple incidents have been reported where drama production staff collapsed from exhaustion or endured unsafe working conditions. One can't help but question whether these toxic environments are actually breeding grounds for great art—or simply human rights violations in disguise.
While guidelines for safer film sets were introduced by the Korea Film Producers Association in 2019, implementation remains patchy. Few productions actually follow them, and many actors and crew alike still face dangerous and exhausting schedules. If a workplace in another industry functioned like this, lawsuits and penalties would be inevitable.
More Than a Personal Triumph — A Call for Industry Reflection
Yes, Lee Jun-hyuk turned suffering into strength, but we shouldn’t need stories of survival to glorify harmful practices. Instead, his journey should be seen as a prompt to fundamentally rethink how actors and staff are treated. No one should need to endure inhumane conditions to prove their passion.
This isn’t only about making things more ‘comfortable.’ It’s about creating a sustainable, respectful, and safe environment—where creativity thrives without human cost. In a world where mental health, labor rights, and fair treatment are gaining more attention, the film and television industry must evolve too.
Public support also plays a huge role. When fans recognize not just the polished performance on-screen but the toll it may have taken, they can be allies in pushing for reform. Actors like Lee don’t just entertain; they offer a mirror to us. Are we okay with the cost of art if it’s built on abuse?
