Lee Min Ho recently opened up about his views on actors’ roles in the AI era, his thoughts on humanity, and his future aspirations in a candid interview.
The star sat down for a chat on September 13 at a quaint café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, to discuss his latest film The Assassin(s), directed by Heo Jin-ho.
The Assassin(s) delves into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the shocking assassination attempt on South Korea’s First Lady on August 15, 1974. The film is helmed by acclaimed director Heo Jin-ho, known for his diverse portfolio including Christmas in August (1997), One Fine Spring Day (2001), April Snow (2005), Happiness (2007), Oasis (2009), Dangerous Liaisons (2012), The Last Princess (2016), Forbidden Dream (2019), and Everyday We Are (2024).
In the movie, Lee portrays Han Young-il, an eager rookie reporter for the Dongseong Ilbo who witnesses the assassination attempt firsthand. Young-il, present to cover the Liberation Day ceremony, finds himself at the epicenter of the shocking event. Driven by what he saw and the clues left behind, he fearlessly dives into the web of mysteries surrounding the incident.
During the interview, Lee revealed his longstanding interest in artificial intelligence (AI), stating that he’s been fascinated by AI for several years now. He continued that in today’s world, he believes it’s more crucial to ask questions rather than simply make statements. AI might outperform humans in tasks that end with exclamation points, but as actors and as human beings, the value lies in the ability to ask meaningful questions.
Addressing the potential of AI replacing actors, Lee offered an insightful analogy: When he watches a vlog about making coffee, he’s captivated by a 10-15 minute video of human hands at work. But he finds himself disinterested in watching a robotic arm do the same task. He added that while technology might be able to replicate some aspects of acting, he believes people will always crave the warmth and genuine expression that only humans can provide.
Lee also shared his daily habit of binge-watching YouTube, admitting that he can easily spend 10 hours a day on YouTube. It’s how he views the world now. He explained that YouTube offers a kaleidoscope of individual stories. Before he knows it, a whole day has passed, and he’s gained a new perspective on the world. When asked if he prefers experiencing life through YouTube rather than in person, Lee confessed that he’s been minimizing his real-life experiences lately.
Looking to the future, Lee emphasized his commitment to personal growth: There’s always an underlying goal to become a better person. While good person might sound cliché, it encompasses so much. He elaborated that he aspires to be someone who can empathize with and embrace more people. He believes this will enable him to portray a wider range of characters and tell more diverse stories. Lee concluded that his personal philosophy is to live authentically, following his feelings and aspirations without being swayed by others’ opinions.
Reflecting on his journey, Lee shared that before acting, he was hungry for success. But after experiencing love and taking on more responsibilities, he’s become someone who contemplates deeper, more essential issues. He added that now, when faced with any situation, his first instinct is to consider the most appropriate course of action.
The Assassin(s) is set to hit theaters on September 23.