Lee Sung Jin on the breakthrough that led him to ‘BEEF’

Lee Sung Jin, creator of the Netflix series *BEEF*, examines the pressures of midlife, class, and the hidden anger that drives human conflict. The series draws from his personal experiences, including a road rage incident and a lengthy hospital stay, to explore how generational values collide and how individuals struggle to maintain composure under societal expectations. His journey from an immigrant upbringing defined by academic excellence to a career in comedy writing reflects a broader struggle with identity and the need for authentic self-expression. By confronting past traumas and the performative nature of his early work, he finds a path toward more meaningful storytelling. The episode also features a review of the Apple TV series *Lucky*, a crime drama starring Anya Taylor-Joy that centers on a shrewd con woman navigating high-stakes deception and complex parental relationships.