After starring in the Korean series Typhoon Family and King the Land, Lee Jun-ho returns with something arguably a bit more unconventional: the new action series Cashero — the title refers to a hero whose abilities are fueled by cash.
Lee Jun-ho plays Kang Sang-ung, an ordinary public servant living in Seoul who unexpectedly inherits superpowers from his father. The 35-year-old learns that they only work when he’s carrying cash, and the money vanishes with each use of his powers. After discussing the situation with his girlfriend Kim Min-suk (Kim Hye-jun), Sang-ung promises not to use his abilities, so they can save for their wedding and a new house. But things don’t unfold as planned. He finds himself torn between his commitments and his compassion as he repeatedly encounters people in desperate need of help. This leads him to take daring actions that push the limits of both.
Sang-ung learns about Beominhoe, a shadowy organization run by the Jo family, in which siblings Jo Anna (Kang Hanna) and Jo Nathan (Lee Chae-min) hunt superhumans to steal their abilities. He also discovers that the group produces and sells drugs that replicate superpowers in its ruthless pursuit of money and power. Sang-ung resists offers to sell his powers to Beominhoe, as well as their attempts to forcibly take them. But as wave after wave of villains armed with capital and authority come at him, he feels himself reaching his limits. He sees it as an unfair fight, knowing his funds are no match for their unlimited resources.
Just as he’s on the verge of defeat, he begins to reflect on the meaning of money, which he once believed was the source of his strength. He realizes that his true strength has never come from money, but from protecting what he truly values.
The story features a range of superhumans, each with different abilities: the protagonist Sang-ung, who can be impossibly strong and resilient; Byeon Ho-in, who can pass through solid objects; Bang Eun-mi, who has telekinesis; Old Man Do, who can predict the future; detective Hwang Hyun-seung, who can turn back time; and Lee Hwa-jin, who can control fire. However, all these abilities come at a cost. Sang-ung loses his money, Ho-in and Eun-mi sacrifice their health, Do loses his memories, and when Hyun-seung rewinds time, anyone involved loses lifespan. Some Beominhoe members also wield stolen powers, like electricity and fire.
Lee Jun-ho tells Tudum that if he had his pick of superpowers, he’d pick teleportation. He’s also envious of Eun-mi’s telekinetic ability to command the objects around her — much like a conductor directing an orchestra. “It’s incredibly impressive that she can accomplish so much with just a single hand gesture. For me, it’s usually all about the body hustle — my body takes the brunt [of the action].”
Among the superhumans, Sang-ung’s powers stand apart, because they’re powered by money, which means they’re potentially limitless. What’s unusual is that whenever he uses his abilities, pennies drop. His father, who passed the abilities down to him, calls them “consolation,” saying that coins of greater value used to fall and that Sang-ung will need to save every penny if he wants to keep helping people. The falling pennies also signal that his superpowers were actually used.
Cashero director Lee Chang-min focused on bringing this to life by blending special effects with practical effects. “Instead of creating the coin effect entirely with special effects, we built a device that lets coins fall naturally. The actor wore it while performing, combining the realistic texture with the special effects,” he says. “The signature sound was carefully refined over a month, testing multiple versions.”
Sang-ung particularly hates Nathan because he kidnapped Min-suk, put her in danger, and kept disrupting their wedding. Sang-ung is also appalled by Nathan’s brutal cruelty to everyone, including children.
Sang-ung steps in when Nathan, boosted by superpower-replicating drugs, attacks innocent residents at their apartment complex, setting the stage for a final showdown. Amidst the burning apartments, he struggles to save those trembling in fear, pushing his powers to the limit against rampaging Nathan — only to find himself cornered. Just as he’s about to lose the strength to rise again, the residents begin hurling their money toward him. Realizing that he can only wield his powers with money, they urge one another to toss their cash his way. Empowered by their support and the aid of his fellow superhumans, Sang-ung delivers the final, decisive blow to Nathan.
“Not only do the other superhumans help [Sang-ung], but ordinary people also join forces with him to defeat a great evil. This shows that no one can do anything alone —achieving what everyone hopes for requires everyone’s help,” Lee Jun-ho says. “I think this message is especially meaningful today, serving as a hopeful reminder that even in difficult times, our combined efforts can overcome challenges.”
After defeating Nathan, Sang-ung and Min-suk return to the quiet, ordinary life they had dreamed of. They buy a new home and await the arrival of their first child.
“I think what’s beautiful about the superhumans is that they’re not perfect or omnipotent — they all have their own weaknesses. Yet despite that, they strive to save the world and protect everyday life, and I find that truly admirable,” Kim Hye-jun tells Tudum. “There may be some sacrifices involved, but even so, there are things we must protect. I think that’s the message the series delivers.”
The other superheroes also returned to their own lives, with Ho-in spending time with his daughter, and Eun-mi visiting a former superhuman who had disappeared.
Kim Byong-chul, who plays Ho-in, thinks the ending isn’t exactly a happy one for his character. “He couldn’t stay healthy or spend time with his daughter. I could empathize with his pain at having to pass a harmful ability onto her,” he says. Kim Hyang-gi, who plays Eun-mi, says the ending is a step forward for her character. “I feel the reunion helps bring some resolution to the conflicts within her mind.”
When it comes to the villains, Nathan’s father, Jo Won-do, is punished for creating illegal slush funds, while Nathan’s sister and archrival Anna died when a bullet she aimed at Nathan ricocheted off a henchwoman’s sword and killed her instead.
The actors who play the villainous siblings believe their characters got what they deserved. Kang Hanna says Cashero explores how people wield power. “Anna uses hers to harm everyone,” she says. “Seeing her face her fate at the hands of her own family feels like perfect karmic justice.” Lee Chae-min says it’s “karma for all their misdeeds” and believes the ending is “so satisfying.”
