[Kim Ji-yeon's Jewelry Box] 2025 Presence of the Year Award, 'Typhoon Company' Lee Sang-jin from 'Fine: Country Bumpkins'

Truly an actor who embodies the phrase 'crazy presence.' If there is a 'Presence of the Year Award' in 2025, I would like to give it to this actor. Recently concluded drama 〈Seoul's Manager Kim Working at a Large Company〉 featured a special appearance, while in the movie 〈Good News〉 he had a minor role, and in the dramas 〈Typhoon Company〉, 〈Aema〉, and 〈Fine: Country Bumpkins〉 he appeared as a supporting actor. Regardless of the size of his roles, Lee Sang-jin breathes life into every production he is part of.

The characters played by Lee Sang-jin have a particularly human quality. Perhaps that is because his characters embody the most relatable awkwardness. I first recognized Lee Sang-jin in the Coupang Play series 〈Boys' Generation〉. In 〈Boys' Generation〉, Jo Ho-seok (Lee Sang-jin), aka Hoddeok, is just as awkward as Jang Byeong-tae (Im Si-wan), secretly in love with Park Ji-young (Lee Sun-bin), aka the Black Widow of Buyeo, and as the story progresses, he builds a deep friendship with Byeong-tae, providing both emotion and laughter, making him a character you want to see again and again.

As in 〈Boys' Generation〉, Lee Sang-jin particularly shines in ensemble dramas. The Disney Plus series 〈Fine: Country Bumpkins〉 is a drama filled with actors as precious as jewels, a true 'jewelry box.' In 〈Fine: Country Bumpkins〉, where charming villains gather to commit their misdeeds, Lee Sang-jin captivates viewers as a character you simply cannot help but feel for. Following Ho-seok from 〈Boys' Generation〉, Lee Sang-jin portrays Na Dae-sik, who speaks with a Chungcheong dialect, expressing a different kind of 'awkwardness.' While Ho-seok embodies the immaturity of youth, Na Dae-sik carries the layered awkwardness of adulthood. Once you learn his backstory, Na Dae-sik becomes the most relatable villain in 〈Fine: Country Bumpkins〉, offering a complex mix of emotions, including laughter and bitterness.

What about the recently concluded 〈Typhoon Company〉? Lee Sang-jin transformed into a delivery agent with a subtle awkwardness, reminiscent of the X-generation fashionista Orange tribe and a heavy user of 'Cheonrian.' He blended into the drama with natural Seoul dialect and perfect styling, as if he summoned a character from that era. He subtly keeps stylish Kang Tae-poong (Lee Junho) in check while also being a bit of a fool who mistakenly believes that Oh Mi-seon (Kim Min-ha) likes him, showcasing his multifaceted character among the uniquely vibrant 'Typhoon Company' family.

An actor whose face embodies both wit and drama. The characters of Lee Sang-jin do not merely serve as 'funny' comic relief. As he mentioned in an interview, "Humans have an innate awkwardness," Lee Sang-jin seems to know how to make characters the most human, reflecting their multidimensional aspects. He understands that awkwardness stems from human weaknesses and desires, cowardice and inferiority, and even love and goodwill, and he does not merely elevate human frailty to laughter. Thus, his characters are funny yet sad, witty yet dramatic.

***** Starting with the excessive meaning given to objects in movies 'Joo Seong-cheol's Locker', the actor's manual for expecting a rise 'Kim Ji-yeon's Jewelry Box', the movie music appreciation room that moved my heart 'Choo Ah-young's Music Box', and the subculture merchant's purchase log 'Sung Chan-eol's Comic Books', Cineplay reporters will begin biweekly serialization with their own tastes and perspectives. *****