Best known for building his popularity through SBS Running ManLee Kwang Soo has attracted attention for completely abandoning his long-standing variety image and showing a darker side as an actor in his latest project. After joining Running Man as a regular cast member in 2010, he left the show in 2021 to focus more on acting. The actor has also been publicly dating actress Lee Sun Bin since 2018.
In episodes 5 and 6 of Golden Landreleased on May 13, Lee Kwang Soo appeared as “Director Park”, an executive of an organization desperately trying to recover the missing gold bars. The character ratcheted up the tension throughout the story as he relentlessly tracked down accomplices connected to the hidden treasure.
Director Park visited Lee Do Kyung, played by Lee Hyun Wook, and suspected that Cha Yoo Jin, played by Lee Seol, was involved. Even after hearing that it was “someone stranger” she coldly threatened to kill those around her. After finally learning the location of the gold bars from Yoo Jin, Director Park confirmed the treasure with a almost crazy look in his eyes before brutally killing her, shocking viewers.
The story continued with intense clashes in a mine involving Kim Hee Joo, played by Park Bo Young, and Woo Gi, played by Kim Sung Cheol. Although Director Park barely managed to escape after a violent fight with Woo Gi, he failed to capture Hee Joo and exploded in anger, further increasing the drama’s tension.
Lee Kwang Soo reportedly portrayed director Park’s growing anger through subtle facial expressions and changes in breathing, bringing the character’s madness to life in a detailed and convincing manner. In particular, viewers reacted strongly to the greed-filled look in his eyes the moment he held the gold bars, saying that maximized the cruel nature of the character.
Many viewers praised Lee Kwang Soo for successfully transforming his image through a role that was completely different from his previous works.
Golden Landstarring Lee Kwang Soo, Park Bo Young, Kim Sung Cheol, Lee Hyun Wook, Kim Hee Won and Moon Jeong Hee, will release episodes 7 and 8 on May 20.
Sources: Nate
