Actor Lee Dong-Wook is gaining recognition in public for being an artist who is not afraid to openly express his opinions on the current state of politics in the country.

The 43-year-old actor, known for roles in hit dramas such as Goblin and Tale of the Nine-Tailed, has become an unlikely voice of civic engagement.

Since late 2024, Lee has publicly expressed concern about the unrest sparked by the controversial December 3 incident involving the imposition of martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

As candlelight protests raged across the country demanding Yoon's impeachment, Lee communicated to his fans on an online community,  "Stay strong. Dress warmly in the cold. Spring will surely come."

Lee later clarified his motivations during a Jan. 6 interview. "Rather than feeling pressure about speaking out, I simply wanted to support the fans who were attending the protests," he said.

"They were out there in the cold, and I couldn't be there with them physically, so I wanted to cheer them on. I'm sure many of my colleagues feel the same."

Reflecting on the historical context, he added, "This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation. I hope that by the 100th anniversary, our country will be a much better place to live in."

Following the National Assembly's vote to impeach Yoon, Lee shared a symbolic message through music, posting a photo of himself listening to Girls' Generation's "Into the New World" with the captions, "It feels like spring is one step closer," and "Finally, it's spring. This winter was far too long."

His political candor has not come without backlash.

Right-wing singer JK Kim Dong Wook criticized him on social media, writing, "He doesn't know anything. It's embarrassing to share the same name with someone like that."

Lee, however, remains undeterred. On June 1, just ahead of South Korea's 21st presidential election, he again took to the fan platform to encourage early voting.

"I voted early, on the first day. I have filming on the actual voting day, and early voting is more convenient—shorter lines," he wrote.

"To those who say there's no one worth voting for: voting is about preventing the worst outcome. If you don't have a best option, choose the next best. If that's not available, choose the lesser evil to block the worst."

In a recent interview, Lee reflected on the implications of speaking out. "If people still have to fear consequences for expressing their thoughts, then democratization isn't complete," he said.

"I don't think entertainers should hide their feelings. But the reality that being honest invites backlash makes me reflect a lot."

Lee's statements have resonated with fans and the broader public, with many praising his willingness to speak candidly during a critical moment for South Korea's democracy.