Lee Je-hoon Trades 'Taxi Driver' for 'The Long Shot Trial' in SBS Comeback: "This New Multi-Season Drama Has a Winning Chance"

Actor Lee Je-hoon is set to return to the small screen in the first half of next year with SBS's highly anticipated new drama 'The Long Shot Trial', continuing the network's legendary run of hit series. Having established himself as an irreplaceable dark hero through the 'Taxi Driver' franchise—which earned him his second SBS Drama Awards Grand Prize last year—he is gearing up for another transformation, this time choosing a refreshing and comedic courtroom drama.

Attending the SBS Drama Media Day 'SBS DRAMA: NEXT EPISODE' held on the morning of June 1 at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Lee Je-hoon introduced 'The Long Shot Trial', which is currently in the midst of filming with the goal of airing in the first half of next year. During the event, he shared his deep thoughts on his new character, 'Kwon Baek,' and expressed his special affection for the project.

Lee Je-hoon pointed to 'differentiation' from existing courtroom dramas as the biggest charm of his upcoming project. He shared, "When people think of a 'courtroom drama,' they usually picture a serious and rigid trial process. However, our drama is a refreshing, fast-paced drama featuring a witty, direct approach that never flinches, even in front of massive power. I believe it will have a completely different vibe from any other courtroom dramas you've seen so far. I am also having a lot of fun and excitement while filming."

'The Long Shot Trial' is a comedic legal detective drama about a law firm led by former lawyer-turned-office manager Kwon Baek (played by Lee Je-hoon) that turns the tables on 'unwinnable battles.' Lee Je-hoon plays Kwon Baek, who becomes an office manager after having his license to practice law revoked, while Ha Young takes on the role of rookie lawyer Yeo Sim-hee.

As Lee Je-hoon received immense love from the public for his character Kim Do-gi in 'Taxi Driver', he must have put deep thought into how to differentiate his new character. Lee Je-hoon clearly explained the distinction by comparing the two characters to 'shadow boxing' and a 'sword in a legal space.'

Lee Je-hoon said, "Because I received so much generous love through Kim Do-gi, I had a lot of worries about what kind of new side I should show in my next work. The key difference is that Kim Do-gi and my new character, Kwon Baek, stand at opposite ends when it comes to punishing evil." He continued, "While Kim Do-gi was a dark hero who silently fought with his body in the dark shadows outside the boundaries of the law—like shadow boxing—Kwon Baek is a character who slyly navigates in and out of the legal space of the courtroom. Kwon Baek's motto is, 'Instead of the Lady Justice holding scales, I use a sword to cut down the wicked.' He is a character who has the experience and wit to shake up the entire board with a single word, yet coldly wields his sword against villains who cross the line."

'The Long Shot Trial' is scheduled to broadcast next year, but Lee Je-hoon surprised everyone by expressing his early hopes for a 'next season.'

He smiled and said, "The chemistry and banter (tiki-taka) between the characters on set are fantastic, and the potential for expanding the episodes is limitless. That's why I'm already filming with the pleasant anticipation of wanting to go all the way to the next season with this exact same team." He added, "I think it will become SBS's next multi-season hit. I really think we have a winning chance."

'The Long Shot Trial' is scheduled to air on SBS in the first half of next year.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)