Rising South Korean actress Lee Ho-jung is earning praise and stirring buzz for her haunting transformation into the seductive villain "Magwi" in JTBC's weekend drama Good Boy — a role that has viewers asking, "Who is she?"
Introduced in episode five of the fast-paced series, Magwi — whose name literally means "demon" — makes a dramatic entrance with bold fashion, heavy makeup, and a chilling calm. Lee's character is no ordinary antagonist.
She is a cunning drug maker and manipulator, injecting both literal and psychological toxins into the narrative.
"Lee Ho-jung commands every scene she's in," one viewer wrote on social media. "Magwi is terrifying and alluring — it's impossible to look away."
The plot thickens as Magwi aligns herself with the criminal mastermind Min Ju-young, played by Oh Jung-se, who offers to eliminate persistent police interference.
She does so by posing as a witness and orchestrating a false tip-off to police — a move that both advances the gang's agenda and deepens her web of deceit.
Her sudden obsession with Officer Yoon Dong-joo (Park Bo-gum), who unknowingly saves her, adds a provocative twist to the drama's tension.
The dynamic sparks jealousy in Ji Han-na (Kim So-hyun), escalating the emotional stakes.
In episode six, Magwi betrays the location of Bbung-pil — the original creator of the fake drug — leading to his demise. She then mysteriously vanishes with Go Jung-ah (Choi Myung-bin) in tow, after an intense plane scene that reveals her true identity: Kim Yeon-ha.
The cliffhanger unfolds with blood-stained clothes that transform her from a helpful witness to a lead suspect, setting up a showdown with Min Ju-young that leaves viewers on edge.
Lee's performance has been widely celebrated for its range. Critics point to her ability to shift seamlessly between a manipulative predator and a vulnerable figure.
Her scenes opposite Park Bo-gum and Kim So-hyun are especially noted for their electric tension.
The 27-year-old Lee Ho-Jung originally started as a fashion model and then transitioned into an actress.
She is popular for her appearances on Nevertheless (2021) and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016).
However, her role in Good Boy may be her most transformative yet.
"Playing Magwi challenged me to tap into a darker, more complex side," Lee said in a recent interview. "It's a character unlike anything I've done before — seductive, dangerous, unpredictable."
Good Boy continues to air on JTBC and has steadily climbed the ratings chart thanks in part to its ensemble cast and bold storytelling.
With Lee Ho-jung's Magwi now in the spotlight, fans are eagerly awaiting what dark turn she'll take next.
