In the world of “THE SEASON”, privilege comes with a price. Set amid Hong Kong’s glamorous high society, the champagne-fuelled revenge drama follows the powerful Hext family, an old-money institution whose influence extends across the city’s most exclusive social circles. From lavish yacht parties and prestigious horse races to glittering charity galas, the family’s seemingly perfect world is built on wealth, status, and carefully guarded secrets. But beneath the dazzling surface, scandal simmers and nothing is quite as it seems.

Premiering globally on 17 June 2026, the six-part series brings together an international cast led by Jessie Mei Li (Shadow and Bone), Toby Stephens (Percy Jackson and the Olympians), and three-time Golden Horse winner Karena Lam. Among them is Lee Jae-yoon, who stars as Jon Kim in a story where rivalries ignite, alliances shift, and hidden agendas threaten to shatter the fabric of high society.

Ahead of the highly anticipated release, Lee Jae-yoon speaks to us about joining the international ensemble, bringing Jon Kim to life, and what audiences can expect from this gripping tale of power, glamour, secrets, and revenge.

Q: To start, can you introduce “THE SEASON” and your character, Jon Kim?

Lee Jae-yoon: “THE SEASON” is about Hong Kong’s elite world, where beneath all the luxury and yacht parties lies a dangerous game of power, betrayal, and hidden agendas. As for Jon Kim, he’s somewhat of a man of mystery, ‘the fixer’ of the Hext family. The kind of guy who walks into a room and immediately makes everyone uneasy. You’re never quite sure what he’s up to, which honestly made him really fun to play

Q: What initially drew you to “THE SEASON” and what made Jon Kim stand out to you?

Lee Jae-yoon: Obviously the script and the cast. But also the fact that it was filmed in Hong Kong really excited me. I grew up watching Hong Kong cinema. So being here already felt inspiring. What made Jon Kim stand out to me was that he’s the only Korean character in the drama, which instantly gave him a different presence. From the moment I read the script, I already had a clear image of him in my head. How he would look, walk, speak, even the kind of energy he would bring into “THE SEASON”. It almost felt like, this role just had to be played by me.

Q: “THE SEASON” blends glamour, secrecy, and revenge. How does Jon Kim navigate that world of shifting loyalties and power?

Lee Jae-yoon: Jon doesn’t openly show his emotions very often. He’s always observing, reading people, and understanding the situation before making a move. He handles things directly and also he plays a lot of mind games. What makes him interesting is that he’s almost everywhere, yet somehow unseen at the same time, like a shadow of the Hext family. You will feel his presence. And because nobody fully understands him, he becomes very unpredictable.

Q: The series brings together an international cast. What was it like finding a rhythm and chemistry across such different cultures and acting styles?

Lee Jae-yoon: I was honestly amazed by how well we all got along, both on and off set. Everyone was so genuine and sincere, and there was this really pure energy within the group. Meeting new people and building friendships quickly isn’t usually my strongest trait, but these guys made me feel like I’d known them for years. I think that translated onto the screen and really affected our performances in a positive way. Even though we all came from different backgrounds, it never felt like a barrier. If anything, being Asians who could speak the same language, while also understanding both Eastern and Western cultures, helped us connect.

Q: After Physical: 100 Season 2”, audiences associate you with a strong physical presence. How does that aspect of you show up, if at all, in this role?

Lee Jae-yoon: You won’t be seeing the Physical: 100 version” of Jae Yoon Lee in this show. But you will definitely feel a certain strength within Jon Kim. He’s not loud or overly expressive. A quiet intensity. I think that presence says much more than anything.

Q: The show is set against a world of yacht parties and high-society events. Was there a particular moment or scene that felt especially surreal or memorable to film?

Lee Jae-yoon: Jon Kim is the kind of character who appears everywhere. So I got to film in many different locations across Hong Kong. One moment we’d be in this luxurious setting, and the next somewhere completely different. It really allowed me to experience and see the city.

Q: Outside of filming, how did you unwind or recharge while working in Hong Kong?

Lee Jae-yoon: Food! People who know me already know this, but I’m a huge fan of char siu. So one of my personal side missions in Hong Kong was going around the city trying different styles of char siu. And of course, training always helps me recharge. I spent a lot of time working out at local gyms, running around the city, and even going hiking with the cast. Hong Kong has such an incredible mix of urban energy and nature.

Q: At this stage in your career, what kinds of roles or stories are you most excited to take on next?

Lee Jae-yoon: Honestly, anything that genuinely excites me. Filming in Hong Kong became much more than just another acting job for me. It was a meaningful life experience beyond work. I’m drawn to stories that challenge me, environments that inspire me, and opportunities that allow me to grow not only as an actor, but also as a person.

Q: Finally, what should we be keeping an eye out for from you next?

Lee Jae-yoon: I recently finished filming a project, ‘Perfect Girl” in Thailand. It’s a thriller film, but in a very unique way. I’d describe it as K-Pop Demon Hunters” meets Black Swan”. Creative, and different from anything I’ve done before.

Watch the trailer now and don’t miss “THE SEASON” on Viu from June 17!