Actor Lee Jun Hyuk has been confirmed to star in SBS’s new drama “Awakening,” his agency Ace Factory announced on January 28.
Awakening,” produced by Studio S and TME Group, is an occult exorcism drama set within South Korea’s intense college entrance exam system. The story focuses on students who take a mysterious stimulant in hopes of raising their grades. After using it, they begin hearing the voices of the dead and awaken frightening powers. As a result, their classmates start to die, and the school becomes a playground for evil spirits
Lee Jun Hyuk will play Antonio, the newly appointed head priest at Holy Spirit High School. His calm and distant attitude makes students uneasy. In reality, he is actually an exorcist sent by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Antonio is a man who has endured countless terrifying encounters alone.
Although he appears cold on the surface, Antonio is sensitive and has a strong will to protect others. He was dispatched to investigate strange incidents at the school. Later, Antonio becomes determined to stop the force that has pushed the students into a deadly struggle.
This project marks Lee Jun Huk’s first attempt at the occult genre since his debut, making it a meaningful challenge in his career. The 41-year-old actor is known for his wide acting range through works such as “Secret Forest,” “Designated Survivor: 60 Days,” and the film “The Outlaws 3.”
Next, he will return in the role of a determined detective in the crime thriller, The Art of Sarah, opposite Shin Hye Sun. It is a Netflix original, which premieres on February 13. Plus, he makes a cameo in Park Jihoon’s movie, The King’s Warden, which hits theaters on February 4.
Expectations are especially high following his popularity from SBS’s 2025 drama “Love Scout.” In “Awakening,” he will leave behind tailored suits and appear in priestly robes.
“Awakening” is currently in pre-production and is scheduled to air on SBS in 2027. Following the success of SBS’s occult drama “Revenant,” the new series is already drawing attention as the network’s next major supernatural project.
