Signal, Taxi Driver, Chief Detective 1958 and more: A look back at Lee Je Hoon’s best performances on hisbirthday

When you think of crime and action in K-drama, Lee Je Hoon's name is basically engraved in bold, underlined, neon lights. He kicked off his acting journey back in 2007 with the indie flick ‘They Live by Night’, and boy, has he been cooking up hits since then! Today, he's hitting the big 4-0, and it's the perfect time to take a leisurely stroll through some of his most electrifying roles. From intense thrillers to heart-pounding dramas, Lee Je Hoon has consistently delivered performances that keep us on the edge of our seats and coming back for more. So, as we celebrate this action-packed birthday bash, let's toast to the man who makes crime-fighting look oh-so-cool on screen!

‘Chief Detective 1958’ serves as the prequel to the beloved Korean series ‘Chief Inspector’, renowned for its 18-year run and high ratings from 1971 to 1989. While the original unfolded in the 1970s and 1980s, ‘Chief Detective 1958’ ventures further back to 1958. Lee Je Hoon takes on the role of a youthful Park Young Han, the chief detective portrayed by Choi Bool Am in the original series. The series delves into Park Young Han's early career as a dedicated detective with an unmatched arrest record for petty thieves. Alongside three determined colleagues, he confronts rampant corruption, aiming to redefine justice in an era fraught with challenges.

Han Geu Roo (Tang Jun Sang), a 20-year-old with autism, leads a unique life working for his family's business, ‘Move to Heaven’, specializing in crime scene cleanup and delivering sentimental items left behind by the deceased to their loved ones. When tragedy strikes and his father passes away, guardianship of Geu Roo falls on his tough-as-nails uncle, Cho Sang Gu (Lee Je Hoon), who is a former convict and underground fighter. According to his father's will, Sang Gu must co-manage ‘Move To Heaven’ with Geu Roo for three months to secure his inheritance. Motivated by financial gain, Sang Gu reluctantly agrees to the arrangement, setting the stage for an unconventional partnership.

Fifteen years ago, a tragic kidnapping shook a community when a young girl disappeared on her way home from school. Witness to the crime, elementary school student Park Hae Yeong (lee Je Hoon) saw the grim aftermath unfold as the girl was later found deceased, with the perpetrator evading justice. Haunted by the failure of law enforcement, Hae Yeong grew up disillusioned with the police. Now, as a seasoned officer and criminal profiler, fate takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a mysterious walkie-talkie. Through it, he connects with Detective Lee Jae Han (Jo Jin Woong), who exists in the past. Together with officer Cha Soo Hyun (Kim Hye Soo), the trio decides to crack unsolved cases spanning fifteen years and seek justice where time has failed.

Do Gi (Lee Je Hoon), a former Special Forces officer known for his integrity, is shattered when a serial killer takes his mother's life. Lost in grief and injustice, he crosses paths with Jang Sung Chul, who offers him a role at Rainbow Taxi, an unconventional service that exacts vengeance for victims failed by the legal system. Tasked as their top driver, Do Gi finds solace in delivering poetic justice. Meanwhile, prosecutor Ha Na (Esom) investigates Rainbow Taxi, torn between fury at their extralegal methods and admiration for their ability to resolve cases overlooked by conventional justice. It has two seasons, and they're busy cooking up the third one as you read!

This movie is set in a dystopian near-future Korea, where economic collapse breeds urban decay and lawless slums. Amidst this bleak landscape, Jun Seok (Lee Je Hoon), freshly released from prison, hatches a daring scheme to secure a better life with his close-knit circle of friends Jang Ho (Ahn Jae Hong), Ki Hoon (Choi Woo Shik), and Sang Soo (Park Jeong Min) in the desperate city. Yet, their aspirations are swiftly shattered when an unknown assailant emerges, relentlessly pursuing them with lethal intent. Now, bound by a deep bond that makes them each other's sole support, the friends must evade capture and stay one step ahead of their pursuer. Can they outwit their hunter and secure the future they desperately seek together?