Rising Villain Lee Chae-min Earns High Praise from Co-Star Lee Jun-ho in New Netflix Series “Cashero”
The highly anticipated Netflix original series, “Cashero,” has officially premiered, introducing audiences to a unique blend of superhero action and everyday struggles. At the heart of the series’ compelling narrative is actor Lee Chae-min, who makes a striking debut in a villainous role. His performance has already garnered significant attention, with veteran actor Lee Jun-ho, who also stars in the series, lauding him as “a rising star among emerging villains.”
The production presentation for “Cashero” took place on the 22nd at the Westin Seoul Parnas in Seoul’s Gangnam-gu district. The event brought together the creative forces behind the show, including director Lee Chang-min and the principal cast: Lee Jun-ho, Kim Hye-jun, Kim Byung-chul, Kim Hyang-gi, Lee Chae-min, and Kang Han-na.
In “Cashero,” Lee Jun-ho portrays Sang-woong, a “smelly hero” endowed with a peculiar superpower: his strength increases proportionally to the amount of cash he possesses, though the money vanishes after each use. Standing in opposition to Sang-woong are the formidable siblings, Joanna (played by Kang Han-na) and Jonathan (portrayed by Lee Chae-min), members of the nefarious “Criminal Association” who seek to exploit the powers of superheroes for their own gain.
Lee Jun-ho elaborated on the series’ appeal, describing it as “a story compelling enough to binge-watch all eight episodes in one sitting.” He emphasized the relatable nature of the hero’s journey, stating, “It’s a hero story deeply rooted in everyday life, making it easy to relate to.” He further teased the central conflict, urging viewers to “Watch how the ‘Criminal Association,’ led by rising villain star Lee Chae-min, clashes with Sang-woong’s team.”
Lee Chae-min shared his experience working alongside the accomplished Lee Jun-ho, describing it as “an honor, and I learned so much.” He expressed his admiration for his co-star, recalling, “I kept thinking, ‘How can someone act and look so cool at the same time?’ He dances and moves his body exceptionally well. Watching him handle so many action scenes while syncing with me made me wonder, ‘Could I ever do that?’” Lee Chae-min added that Lee Jun-ho provided him with “courage and guidance,” making the filming process feel like “a dream.”
During the presentation, MC Park Kyung-lim humorously questioned Lee Jun-ho about Lee Chae-min’s “cool” demeanor despite playing a “smelly” character. Lee Jun-ho responded with gracious praise, referring to Lee Chae-min as “rising star Lee Chae-min,” which elicited laughter from the audience. He reminisced about their initial scenes together, noting, “His focus, preparation, and effort to showcase his work were impressive.” Lee Jun-ho concluded by saying, “We synced well during scenes, and by the end, we’d grown close—it was sad to wrap up. Acting with Lee Chae-min was enjoyable.”
Kang Han-na, who previously shared the screen with Lee Chae-min in the tvN drama “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty,” returns to portray a villainous character with unwavering determination. Her character, Joanna, is a formidable antagonist who will stop at nothing to achieve her objectives. Kang Han-na revealed a particularly memorable line she delivered to Lee Jun-ho: “You’re broke now, right? You filthy XX.” She explained her intention behind such a bold declaration, stating, “I’d never uttered or even rehearsed such a line before, but I hoped viewers would find it satisfying.” Despite the challenging conditions, she recalled, “It was scorching hot that day, but both Lee Jun-ho and the director loved it, which made me happy.” Lee Jun-ho, in turn, predicted that the line “might become a catchphrase.”
The supporting cast also plays a crucial role in “Cashero,” with Kim Byung-chul and Kim Hyang-gi bringing their unique talents to Sang-woong’s team. Kim Byung-chul takes on the role of Byun-ho-in, a character whose superpower allows him to pass through any barrier when intoxicated. Kim Hyang-gi portrays Bang Eun-mi, a telekinetic whose powers are fueled by calorie consumption.
Kim Byung-chul shared a lighthearted perspective on his character’s abilities, joking, “If I actually had a superpower, it’d be exhausting. I’m not a heavy drinker, so managing this power would be impossible. I’d probably offload it onto someone else.”
Kim Hyang-gi contemplated the ethical implications of possessing supernatural abilities, stating, “I want to live normally, but if I had powers, guilt might force me to use them. I’d probably get angry but still try to do good.”
“Cashero” centers on Sang-woong (Lee Jun-ho), an ordinary salaryman grappling with the financial burdens of wedding expenses and soaring housing prices. His life takes an extraordinary turn when he discovers his newfound ability to harness superhuman strength through the cash he possesses. The series offers a refreshing take on the superhero genre, blending elements of comedy with the universal struggle of managing life’s expenses and extraordinary powers. The series is set to premiere on Netflix on the 26th, promising a captivating and relatable viewing experience.
