Lee Jun Young impresses as troubled piano genius in 'Four Hands, Two Sonatas' while serving in the military

Lee Jun Young is drawing attention for his performance in tvN's Four Hands, Two Sonatas, showing a strong screen presence even while currently completing his mandatory military service.

In the episodes aired on August 29 and 30, Lee Jun Young appeared as Choi Jung Yo, a former piano prodigy who reunites with Kang Bi Oh, played by Song Kang, after seven years apart.

Choi Jung Yo once won the grand prize at a junior piano competition, but his life changed after he had to support his family and step away from music. The latest episodes briefly showed his return to a music-focused environment and the beginning of his partnership with Kang Bi Oh.

Lee Jun Young especially stood out in scenes showing Jung Yo's complicated relationship with performing. The actor expressed the character's anxiety through his tense expression, unsteady gaze, and breathing before showing a different side once Jung Yo began playing the piano.

One notable sequence featured Jung Yo confronting his fear of the stage while performing Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre inside a dimly lit auditorium. Another scene showed him performing outdoors with Kang Bi Oh as their musical partnership continued to develop.

Lee Jun Young also portrayed the contrast between Jung Yo's guarded personality and the vulnerability he shows when he is alone, adding emotional depth to the character without relying on exaggerated reactions.

Four Hands, Two Sonatas follows two pianists who sit together at one piano and create music using four hands. After first meeting during a childhood competition, Kang Bi Oh and Choi Jung Yo reunite seven years later and gradually face their different circumstances and emotional wounds through music.

The drama also carries extra interest because Lee Jun Young began his mandatory military service as an active-duty soldier on July 21. His appearance in the drama was filmed before his enlistment, allowing viewers to continue seeing his acting work during his military hiatus.

Four Hands, Two Sonatas airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 p.m. KST on tvN.