The actor LEE CHAN YONG deployed a scene-stealer activity by showing an even more matured image through the Netflix series “Mousetrap (들쥐)”.
LEE CHAN YONG appeared in the role of the youngest detective Minho in the Netflix series “Mousetrap” released on the 28th of last month, and captures viewers’ eyes in this work rushing at full speed, sparking a strong reaction right after its release. “Mousetrap” climbed to 1st place in Netflix’s “TOP 10 Today’s Series in South Korea” as of September 1, then continued its strong craze domestically and internationally by placing 6th on the TOP TV Shows Global and in the TOP 10 of 49 countries according to FlixPatrol, a site counting global OTT content rankings.
“Mousetrap” is a chase and mystery thriller that traces the story of the novelist Munjae (played by RYU JUN YEOL) who had his name, face, and entire life stolen by a mysterious presence named “The rat”, the loan shark Noja (played by SUL KYUNG GU) who attempts to recover lost money, and detective Sunyong (played by LEE KYU HYUNG) who tracks down the identity of “The rat”. LEE CHAN YONG played the role of Minho, the youngest detective of the investigation team in the series, leading the investigation by covering crime scenes alongside Sunyong.
Minho moves quickly under the orders of his senior detective and transmits new crime situations as well as investigation information, while naturally depicting the image of the youngest detective who responds without hesitation to Sunyong’s questions and endures his reprimands. In particular, while walking crime scenes, checking CCTV footage, visiting hospitals, and conducting stakeout investigations with LEE KYU HYUNG, he completed a realistic chemistry between senior and junior, adding vitality thanks to a fresh and sly charm amidst the drama’s heaviness.
Furthermore, Minho transmitted warm comfort to Sunyong, who said he did not seem to get along well with his family, by telling him: “It’s us who are a family.” Revealing the solid relationship between the two characters during this short conversation, this scene became an important clue in the process of solving the truth of the case later on, adding meaning to the work’s narrative. LEE CHAN YONG as well perfectly fulfilled his role by exceeding the simple status of a young detective assisting the investigation, to track down the case alongside Sunyong and make the connection during important moments of the story.
While actors endowed with solid acting skills like RYU JUN YEOL, SUL KYUNG GU, LEE KYU HYUNG held the center, LEE CHAN YONG naturally blended into the drama as the youngest detective of the investigation team, showing his presence. Rather than stepping forward at the center of major events, he appeared at the junctions of the drama to convey the progress of the investigation, and stably assumed his role consisting of following the story thread smoothly by being in harmony with the senior detective. Sometimes listening seriously to his senior’s stories and sometimes remaining silently at his side despite reprimands, Minho’s image created a natural rhythm within the drama’s heaviness, completing a realistic chemistry between senior and junior with LEE KYU HYUNG.
Previously, LEE CHAN YONG had played the role of Kim Kyungmin, a student at Daehan High School in the 1st episode of the Netflix series “Teach you a lesson”, delicately expressing the anxiety, fear, guilt, and sobs of a student victim of school violence, leaving a strong impression with a single episode appearance. In particular, by completing a heavy acting harmony with KIM MU YEOL, he showed an uncommon concentration and force of attraction for a beginner, while kicking off the work with intensity. If in “Teach you a lesson” he anchored his face with the public by densely expressing the complex feelings of a hurt character, in “Mousetrap” he showed an even more matured acting performance by naturally embodying the young detective Minho within the genre’s characteristic tension.
After having his potential recognized by winning 2nd place in the “60-Second Monologue Festival” of the Actor Project at the Seoul Independent Film Festival in 2023, LEE CHAN YONG has steadily accumulated acting experience by navigating between theater, cinema, and series. After leaving a strong first impression with “Teach you a lesson”, he currently appears in Netflix’s hit work “Mouse trap”, showing a new face with each project, and attention is focused on the works and characters with which LEE CHAN YONG, who revealed his presence consecutively in Netflix hit works, will expand his domain in the future.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Netflix
