Lomon experienced a quantum leap with his role in the drama Sweet Revenge (2017), but his biggest break came in All of Us Are Dead (2022), the mega smash K-zombie series where he had Lee Su-hyeok—a portrayal that shot him to global fame.
The Korean actor, 25 at the time of writing, has been performing for over a decade now, describing the journey as “one with challenges and growth” as we discuss his drama Family Matters. The thriller was released in the final quarter of 2024 and is now streaming on Channel K—tailor-made for an Indian audience.
Family Matters is an intriguing plot of people faking as a family to shield themselves from looming threats. Going gradually over their intricate dynamics, where the tension between their assumed roles and true selves takes center stage, Family Matters’ “family” in question includes a mother, father, grandfather, and two teenage siblings, one being Lomon’s Baek Ji-hoon.
Interestingly, these characters are gifted with amazing skills, thickening the drama as they try to blend in with society, camouflaging what they’re capable of while being in peril—the sinister criminal elements pursuing them. The attachments growing over time among the members of this makeshift family give the story additional depth as they begin building genuine connections while exploring what it means to be a family. “This series shows that family isn’t defined by blood but can be created through sincerity and effort,” Lomon says.
Elaborating further, he stresses its character-driven moments, which help the heroes evolve amid all odds. “Through the process of five people protecting each other and growing into a true family, I believe we can convey both excitement and warmth at the same time,” he adds.
Moving on, the actor details Baek Ji-hoon, the significance of the role in his career, the process he took to fully flesh out Ji-hoon, and why he believes Family Matters “will resonate uniquely with our fans in India.”
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How has your acting journey been so far, and how have those experiences helped you grow professionally and personally?
My journey as an actor has been one of challenges and growth. Especially after All of Us Are Dead, many opportunities opened up, allowing me to meet various characters and discover aspects of myself that I didn’t know before. Every time I prepare for a new character, I find myself reflecting on who I am and what is valuable to me as I explore the emotions of the character.
Of course, there have been difficult moments, but the support and love from fans have been a great help, and I approach each project with the mindset of repaying that with a better performance. Through more challenges and growth, I hope to continue showing you my best self, both as an actor and as an individual.
Coming to Family Matters, what makes Baek Ji-hoon unique compared to your other roles?
Baek Ji-hoon is a character with a unique charm. He hides his abilities but is a quick thinker and an excellent hacker. He has an entirely opposite personality compared to his twin sister Ji-woo, so exploring their relationship was quite interesting. Unlike my previous characters, Ji-hoon quietly dedicates himself to his family while harboring inner conflicts and uniqueness, making him a character that requires more delicate expression.
How did you prepare to embody Ji-hoon, considering he’s part of a group with extraordinary abilities?
Since Ji-hoon is a character with unique abilities, physical conditioning and stunt training were essential. A few months before filming and on days off from shooting, I spent most of my time at an action school to learn the necessary skills. At the same time, I had many conversations with the director and writer to understand Ji-hoon’s inner conflicts and emotions deeply. I constantly reviewed the script to portray his harmony with his family and tried to observe my senior actors and my twin sister, Ji-woo, on set.
“This series combines abilities and family love, creating a story that offers warmth even within the suspenseful tension of a thriller. I believe this is what distinguishes it from other Korean dramas.”
Lomon
Trust and family ties are central themes in this story. How do they play out in the series?
Family Matters is a story about a family that grows into something more genuine than real life. At first, the characters are awkward and clumsy with each other, but as they go through crises together, they gradually build trust and bonds.
This series shows that family isn’t defined by blood but can be created through sincerity and effort. I believe viewers will experience a renewed sense of what family truly means through their relationships.
What fundamentally attracted you to this project? How does Family Matters differ from other K-dramas?
I chose this project because of its unique story and compelling characters. Above all, when I saw the casting of the senior actors I’d be working with, I wanted to be a part of this family.
Family Matters is a drama with a fresh charm that sets it apart from traditional crime thrillers. The concept of a mother with the ability to freely edit memories and a family with special abilities coming together to fight villains was uniquely intriguing.
This series combines abilities and family love, creating a story that offers warmth even within the suspenseful tension of a thriller. I believe this is what distinguishes it from other Korean dramas.
Any memorable moments or challenges you faced while filming?
In the final episode, there was a scene where I performed an action sequence on a Disco Pang Pang, and I trained for over four months at an action school to prepare for it. Due to the nature of the location, we couldn’t practice directly on the Disco Pang Pang, so I had to learn all the movements on the ground. During the rehearsal the day before the shooting, I truly realized how difficult it was to maintain balance and direction on the equipment.
Filming on the machine was not easy. Still, thanks to the meticulous guidance and thorough preparation from the martial arts director and team, I was able to finish the shoot safely without any accidents. I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude to the martial arts team.
What are your thoughts on the show streaming on Channel K and the huge K-drama and K-pop fan following in India?
Whenever I hear that K-dramas and K-pop are receiving such great love in India, I feel truly grateful and excited. Family Matters is a drama that combines the tension of action with the central theme of family. Through the process of five people protecting each other and growing into a true family, I believe we can convey both excitement and warmth at the same time. I hope this aspect of the story will resonate uniquely with our fans in India.
Finally, what’s your message to your Indian fans and viewers?
Hello, fans in India! Family Matters is not just about intense action. It also tells the story of different people becoming a single family. It’s a work that explores what family really means and what it takes to care for and protect one another. I hope that as you watch this drama, you’ll experience both excitement and warmth. Thank you for your love and support, and I look forward to bringing you more great work in the future!
Watch Family Matters on Channel K. For more details click here.