Lee Je Hoon to star in business thriller The Art of Negotiation from director Ahn Pan Seok

In an exclusive scoop earlier today, Korea’s OSEN announced actor Lee Je Hoon is set to take the helm in the forthcoming K-drama tentatively titled The Art of Negotiation.

The new Korean drama series will delve into the high-stakes world of corporate mergers and acquisitions, and look at the nastiness that often lies beneath it.

Lee Je Hoon will apparently step into the shoes of the lead character, an expert in the realm of mergers and acquisitions.

Lee Je Hoon’s first work with Ahn Pan Seok

Interestingly, although the actor has an extensive library of work, having debuted in 2007 in his own-directed indie film and worked consistently since, this new collaboration will mark Lee Je Hoon’s first venture with director Ahn Pan Seok.

The director, of course, is celebrated for his work on popular K-dramas like One Spring Night, Secret Love Affair and Something in the Rain.

Ahn Pan Seok is also currently directing the upcoming tvN drama The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, which stars Jung Ryeo Won, Wi Ha Joon, and So Ju Yeon, and is scheduled to premiere on May 11th in the same time slot as Queen of Tears.

Lee Je Hoon has a very busy 2024

The Art of Negotiation will be Lee Je Hoon’s third drama of the year, with his latest Chief Detective 1958 due to premiere later this month, and Season 3 of Taxi Driver set to start filming sometime in 2024.

It isn’t just dramas that the 39-year-old actor is busy with this year either, as he also has two films coming out — the military drama Escape, and another, Moral Hazard, that centers around a soju company.

While specifics regarding filming and release dates are yet to be confirmed, The Art of Negotiation is currently scheduled to begin airing some time in early 2025.

When it does, the Korean drama will be part of JTBC’s weekend drama line-up.

Until then, watch Lee Je Hoon in both seasons of his hit drama Taxi Driver on Viki, or in his currently airing drama Chief Detective 1958, which is also streaming on Disney Plus.

About Michelle Topham

Brit-American journalist based in Austria, former radio DJ at 97X WOXY, and Founder/CEO of Leo Sigh. I've covered K-drama, K-pop, J-pop and music news for over a decade.