On the evening of March 11, 2026, viewers tuning into tvN’s popular variety show You Quiz on the Block were treated to a heartfelt and revealing conversation with actor Lee Dong-hwi. The episode, which quickly became a talking point across entertainment news, offered a rare glimpse into Lee’s journey from struggling minor role actor to household name, all while highlighting the profound impact of perseverance and mentorship in the entertainment industry.
Lee Dong-hwi, best known for his breakout role in the acclaimed drama Reply 1988, sat down with hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho to reflect on the winding road that brought him to national fame. From the outset, Lee did not shy away from discussing the hardships he faced early in his career. He candidly recalled his father’s opposition to his dream of becoming an entertainer, sharing, “My father wanted me to become a company employee. I asked him to wait just two years while I worked hard to promote myself.”
Those two years, as Lee described, were marked by relentless determination but also moments of deep discouragement. “Because of my father’s opposition, I worked really hard for two years, sending out my profile everywhere,” Lee explained. “I sent out 200 profiles and only got eight auditions.” Yoo Jae-suk, ever the empathetic listener, nodded in understanding, adding, “That’s really a difficult thing to do. You have to do it in the midst of indifference, with no one welcoming you.”
Lee’s recollections painted a vivid picture of the emotional toll those years took on him. He recounted, “I would lie in my room, staring at the wall, crying alone. I realized if I spent my twenties idly, it would only get harder.” These struggles were compounded by the isolation and uncertainty that often accompany aspiring actors, especially those without industry connections or family support. But Lee found unexpected solace in the variety programs he watched during those lonely nights, particularly Yoo Jae-suk’s iconic show Infinite Challenge.
“I’m really grateful to Yoo Jae-suk,” Lee said, his voice tinged with emotion. “Watching Infinite Challenge gave me courage. During the ‘Malhaneun Daero’ segment, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I went into my room, pulled a blanket over my head, and cried my eyes out.” According to Xportsnews, Lee credited those moments with helping him push through his darkest days, saying, “If I let my twenties slip by, I thought I’d keep struggling.”
One of the episode’s most memorable exchanges came as Lee and Yoo reminisced about their first meeting, which occurred over a decade ago during a vitamin commercial shoot. At the time, Lee was still a minor role actor, hustling for every opportunity. Yoo recalled, “Dong-hwi and I shot a vitamin commercial together. That was the first time we met.” Lee added, “Thinking about that day kept me up before coming on You Quiz. I even got Yoo’s autograph on a script, but I lost it,” prompting laughter from Yoo and the studio audience alike.
These formative encounters, though fleeting at the time, left a lasting impression on Lee. He described himself as a “Infinite Challenge kid,” drawing inspiration from Yoo’s resilience and generosity. The support and encouragement he gleaned from Yoo’s programs became a lifeline as he weathered rejection after rejection in the fiercely competitive world of acting.
After years of struggle and self-doubt, Lee’s fortunes changed dramatically when he landed a role in the hit drama Reply 1988. Passing the audition for the show, he said, was a turning point: “Reply 1988 is the work that made my name known. Just thinking about it makes me emotional. The actors I worked with became like real friends from that era. We still keep in touch to this day.” According to Xportsnews, Lee’s performance not only won over viewers but also forged enduring friendships with his co-stars.
The success of Reply 1988 opened new doors for Lee, including a surge of commercial offers. “After Reply 1988, I shot 11 commercials,” he shared. “But after meeting Yoo Jae-suk, I got to do even more. I’m very grateful.” The gratitude Lee expressed was palpable, a testament to the ripple effect that mentorship and chance encounters can have on a person’s career.
Lee’s creative ambitions did not stop at acting. On the show, he introduced his film Method, which he not only starred in but also helped produce. According to Seoul List, Lee revealed that he promoted the film tirelessly, motivated by a sense of responsibility to friends who had put up their credit to support the project. However, he admitted to feeling anxious about the film’s release coinciding with a new Ryan Gosling movie, joking that the timing was less than ideal.
In a lighter moment, Lee recounted his unexpected foray into music. He shared a story about being contacted by PD Kim Tae-ho for the “MSG Wannabe Project,” a music show. “He said it would only take two weeks, just come and sing once,” Lee laughed. “But I ended up singing for four months, performing on music shows and even appearing at the Gayo Daejeon festival. I’m now registered as a singer with the music association.” The anecdote drew chuckles from everyone present and highlighted Lee’s willingness to embrace new challenges, no matter how unpredictable his path became.
Beyond his own achievements, Lee’s story resonated with viewers for its honesty and humility. He spoke openly about the emotional ups and downs of pursuing a dream in the face of familial resistance and industry indifference. His willingness to share both his tears and triumphs served as a reminder that overnight success is often anything but, and that the journey is shaped as much by setbacks as by breakthroughs.
By the end of the episode, it was clear that Lee Dong-hwi’s story is one of resilience, gratitude, and the quiet power of encouragement. Whether recounting sleepless nights spent worrying about lost opportunities or celebrating the friendships forged through shared hardship, Lee offered a narrative that felt both deeply personal and universally relatable. As he continues to explore new creative avenues and support his friends in their artistic endeavors, Lee’s journey stands as proof that, sometimes, a little patience and a lot of perseverance can make all the difference.