Lee Je Hoon Explains The Symbolism Of His Striking White Hair In “The Art Of Negotiation”

Feb 24, 2025

JTBC’s upcoming drama “The Art of Negotiation” has revealed the secret behind Lee Je Hoon’s striking white-haired transformation!

“The Art of Negotiation” follows the story of Yoon Joo No (Lee Je Hoon), an M&A expert who is known as a legendary negotiator, as he leads his team through high-stakes corporate challenges. The drama is helmed by director Ahn Pan Seok, who is known for his meticulous attention to detail and realism.

Lee Je Hoon makes a bold transformation into Yoon Joo No, the “White Snake” of the negotiation world, captivating viewers with his striking silver hair. With his character still in his prime, curiosity grows about why Yoon Joo No has adopted such an unconventional look.

Sharing his thoughts on the transformation, Lee Je Hoon explained, “I wanted to visually convey Yoon Joo No’s near-perfect precision as a negotiator at first glance. This styling helped me fully embrace him as a distinct and extraordinary character.”

Interestingly, this dramatic look came to life thanks to director Ahn Pan Seok’s strong recommendation. Lee Je Hoon recalled, “At first when he first suggested it, both I and those around me were unsure if it would work. But the director strongly recommended it, and with the meticulous efforts of our makeup and costume teams, I was able to fully commit to it.”

Director Ahn Pan Seok further revealed that Yoon Joo No’s white hair was intended to be a symbolic element. “Since he constantly negotiates with influential figures, I didn’t want him to come across as just a young man—he has to look equal to those around him. The original script described his silver hair as a visual device that makes it difficult to determine his exact age, which I thought was a nice idea.”

He added, “One of our consultants actually said they went completely gray in their early 30s. Just like how Marie Antoinette’s hair is said to have turned white overnight during the French Revolution, we wanted Yoon Joo No’s hair to give viewers an indescribable, almost unsettling impression.”

Above all, Lee Je Hoon’s complete immersion into the role has further heightened anticipation for his performance. The production team teased, “From the moment he arrives on set to when filming ends, he remains fully in character. Even during breaks, he stays in that mindset. Viewers can look forward to seeing every facet of Lee Je Hoon in this drama.”