Lewis Hooper is a British actor, voice actor, and model, originally from Bristol, UK. In 2020, he moved to Korea, where he began building a career in the Korean entertainment industry. He has since appeared in various productions, including Netflix’s ‘’XO, Kitty’’ (2022), where he portrayed a teacher, and the sci-fi film ‘’Seeking The King’’ (2024), in which he played a scientist. Hooper also had a background role in the acclaimed Korean film ‘’Harbin,’’ (2024), appearing in both the train and soldier scenes. In addition to his film and television work, he has starred in commercials for brands such as LG Gram, Samsung FE, and HTM Korea Co. As a voice actor, Hooper has lent his voice to numerous projects for major Korean companies, including Kia, Hyundai, Kickstarter, and others.
After five years in Korea’s entertainment industry, he has a unique story to tell, and in this interview, we explore his journey.
In an email interview conducted on June 18-19, Lewis Hooper shared the key factors that led to his move from the UK to Korea. “I moved to Korea right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he explained. “Originally, I was planning to move to New Zealand, but due to travel restrictions, that wasn’t possible. At the time, Korea was one of the only countries still open, so I came on a Working Holiday Visa, without knowing anything about the country.” He went on to say, “Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I completely fell in love with Korea; from its vibrant culture and beautiful nature to the exciting work opportunities I found here.”
Lewis began his career in Korea as a model and voice actor. When asked about his transition into film, he shared, “Back in the UK, I had some early experience working in television on shows like ‘’Made in Chelsea,’’ ‘’The X-Factor,’’ ‘’Loose Women,’’ and even the Australian soap ‘’Neighbours.’’ So I was already familiar with being on set and working behind the scenes.” He continued, “When I first signed with an agency in Korea, most of my work centered around modeling and voice acting, where acting skills are essential, especially for character dubbing. Breaking into film took about 8 to 10 months, as it required a lot of networking and connecting with people in the industry. The Korean film scene is really gaining momentum, and it offers a unique and exciting contrast to the Western entertainment world.’’
When asked about his experience filming ‘’Harbin,’’ Lewis described it as a truly memorable project. “Harbin'' was a fantastic shoot to be part of,” he said. “The directors and Korean production team were excellent, and the costumes were impressively detailed, far better than what I’d seen on other sets.” He explained that the shoot was demanding, with long hours and a physically intensive role. “I mainly played a soldier, and our filming days often stretched from 12 to 18 hours.” Reflecting on the environment, he added, “The set design was incredibly realistic, it genuinely felt like we were in ‘’Harbin.’’ Of course, it was also quite chaotic at times, with people constantly moving around, adjusting lights, shifting cameras, setting up props. But being part of this film was a real privilege.”
When asked about what is his process for getting into character, he said, ‘’Whenever I get into character, I have to rehearse the script a lot of times, to pick up the emotions and feel for the character that I am playing. Actually, I don't like to watch myself back, but I always try not to worry about how I act or sound, as it is portraying the character and not myself. I always have to try and step into the character's shoes and try and convey their emotion and mannerisms.’’
Describing the atmosphere on set, he said, “Filming days are often long, sometimes up to 18 hours, but the energy on set is always high, with a lot happening all the time.” He noted that while there’s often downtime during scene setups or when adjusting camera angles, the environment remains positive. “We usually shoot the same scene multiple times from different angles, but the crew and cast are always friendly and kind.” He added, “Through filming, I’ve met some amazing people. It beats a 9-5 office job; every day on set brings something new.”
When asked which of his roles stood out as a favorite, Lewis pointed to his part in the film ‘’Seeking The King.’’ “One of the most memorable roles for me was playing a scientist in ‘’Seeking The King,” he shared. “The film stars Eric Roberts, whom I’ve been a big fan of, and Koo Kyo-hwan, whom I had the chance to work closely with. Both are incredibly talented actors.” “It was an amazing opportunity to collaborate with people who’ve been in the industry for a long time. I learned so much just being around them on set.’’
Reflecting on a memorable experience in Korea, Lewis said, “One of my best moments was working on the music video for Akmu’s ‘‘Hero’’ (2024). I played the role of a frog, which was a small part but actually gave me quite a bit of screen time. When I arrived on set, I had no idea I’d be playing a frog, so it really pushed me out of my comfort zone.” “Despite that, I had an amazing time, and everyone, from the crew to the members of Akmu, was incredibly kind and supportive,” he added.
When asked about dream roles or directors he’d like to work with, Lewis Hooper said, “In the future, I would love to collaborate with Joseph Kahn, who has directed some incredible music videos and dramas. I’m also a big fan of Hwang Dong Hyuk and his unoque style, especially shown in Squid Game.” He continued, “I feel like my personality is somewhat similar to Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in ‘’The Wolf of Wall Street,’’ so taking on a role like that would be amazing.”
Lewis Hooper has made a name for himself in Korea’s entertainment industry. From modeling and voice work to film roles, he has shown great versatility and dedication. His journey is proof that taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to exciting opportunities.
*This interview was conducted in English by an Honorary Reporter for Korea.net, and none of its content may be copied or used without permission.
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