Ji-seong's child actor Lee Jong-hyeon drives 'Apartment' viewership to 5.4%
Lee Jong-hyeon, who played the young version of Ji-seong in JTBC's 'Apartment', led the rise in viewership ratings with his delicate acting. His future moves are drawing attention as a rising star under Kim Soo Hyun's agency.
The emergence of rookie Lee Jong-hyun, who played Ji-sung's past
JTBC's weekend drama 'Apartment' is gaining momentum with rising viewership ratings. Having premiered on the 11th, the work depicts the process of former gang boss Park Hae-gang (played by Ji-sung), who runs for the resident representative chairman election to seize slush funds within the apartment, as he uncovers corruption alongside the residents. The second episode recorded a 5.4% rating nationwide based on Nielsen Korea's paid platforms. Following an upward curve from 4.6% in the first episode, actor Lee Jong-hyun, who played the childhood of the protagonist Park Hae-gang, enhanced the immersion of the drama.
Lee Jong-hyun took on the role of the childhood of Park Hae-gang, a former boss of the Oasis gang, portraying the character's inner wounds and growth process. Through his connection with Yong-man (played by Jeong Jin-yeong), a father figure, he multidimensionally built the foundation for the choices the adult Park Hae-gang would eventually make. Instead of exaggerated emotional expressions, he showcased restrained gazes and calm inner acting.
A rising star of Goldmedalist, the agency of Kim Soo Hyun
Lee Jong-hyun is a key rising star of Goldmedalist, an entertainment agency that includes actors Kim Soo Hyun, Seol In-ah, and Choi Hyun-wook. At this agency, which Kim Soo Hyun co-founded with Irobe, Lee Jong-hyun is establishing himself as a next-generation lead.
Lee Jong-hyun debuted playing the lead role of Kim Se-hyun in tvN's 'Study Group' (2025). Subsequently, in tvN's 'Shin's Project' (2025), he played Baek Seung-mu, who is driven into the role of a perpetrator of jeonse fraud, expressing the character's inner turmoil of anxiety and guilt.
Cast comments filled with respect for Ji-sung
On the 16th, Lee Jong-hyun shared his thoughts on senior actor Ji-sung through his agency, Goldmedalist. He stated, "It was an honor to appear as the child version of Ji-sung sunbaenim, whom I have always respected." He also added his feelings from the set, saying, "I prepared hard while watching sunbaenim's works, and I am grateful that he warmly looked upon even my shortcomings."
To complete the narrative of the character Park Hae-gang, Lee Jong-hyun's role in expressing the emotional roots of the adult Park Hae-gang supported the persuasiveness of the early part of the drama.
Commencing filming for the next project 'Study Group 2'
Lee Jong-hyun is currently in the middle of filming 'Study Group 2', the sequel to tvN's 'Study Group'. He is preparing to meet viewers again by continuing the character of Kim Se-hyun, which he played in his debut work.
The drama 'Apartment' was produced with a script by Yoonyoung Kim and directed by Jo Yong-won. The plot continues to unfold, uncovering the conflicts and corruption among characters surrounding the slush funds.
Character relationships and filmography
Park Hae-gang (played by Ji-sung) is a former boss of the Oasis gang who runs for the resident representative chairman election to seize slush funds within the apartment. In this process, he forms a connection with Yong-man (played by Jeong Jin-yeong). Lee Jong-hyun plays the childhood of Park Hae-gang, connecting to the emotional roots of the adult Park Hae-gang.
Lee Jong-hyun's filmography continues with the role of Kim Se-hyun in tvN's 'Study Group' (2025) and the role of Baek Seung-mu in tvN's 'Shin's Project' (2025).
