Lee Je-hoon

Lee Je-hoon (Korean이제훈; born July 4, 1984) is a South Korean actor. He started his career in indie films. After his breakthrough in acclaimed independent film Bleak Night (2011), he went on to appear in commercial films like The Front Line (2011), Architecture 101 (2012), Anarchist from Colony (2017), I Can Speak (2017), and television series Signal (2016), Where Stars Land (2018), Taxi Driver (2021–2024), and Move to Heaven (2021).

Lee Je-hoon
Lee in September 2023
Born (1984-07-04) July 4, 1984 (age 40)
Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
EducationKorea National University of Arts – School of Drama
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • screenwriter
Years active2007–present
AgentCompany on
Korean name
Hangul
이제훈
Hanja
Revised RomanizationI Je-hun
McCune–ReischauerI Chehun

Career

Beginnings

When Lee Je-hoon realized that he wanted to go into acting, he dropped out of the Biotechnology major at Korea University and transferred to the School of Drama at Korea National University of Arts.[1] From 2006 to 2010, Lee appeared in more than 18 student shorts and indie films,[2] notably the queer coming-of-age romance Just Friends?.[3][4] He also appeared as an extra in a number of commercial films, including erotic thriller The Servant and romantic comedy Finding Mr. Destiny.[5][6]

2011–2012: Breakthrough

Then Lee had his breakthrough in 2011. He received rave reviews for his performances as a manipulative alpha-male in the haunting indie Bleak Night,[7][8][9] and as a morphine-addicted squad leader in big-budget war film The Front Line.[10][11][12] He gained mainstream popularity as a shy college student pining for his first love in box-office hit Architecture 101,[13][14] and though the television series Fashion King was poorly received, his role as a struggling young chaebol heir in Korea's fashion industry further showcased his versatility.[15][13]

Lee next starred opposite acclaimed veteran actor, Han Suk-kyu in the comedy-drama My Paparotti, which focuses on the special relationship between a high school gang member who dreams of becoming a singer like the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti, and the music teacher who helps him pursue his dream.[16][17] He next starred in Ghost Sweepers,[18] dubbed the character Jack Frost for the Korean release of 3D animated film Rise of the Guardians,[19] and featured in the crime thriller An Ethics Lesson.[20]

2012–present: Enlistment and return to acting

Lee in 2016

For his comeback project after enlistment, Lee chose Secret Door, a period drama about Crown Prince Sado who was controversially executed through death by starvation by his father King Yeongjo; the series reunited him with Han Suk-kyu.[21][22] This was followed by the Jo Sung-hee-directed film Phantom Detective, a modern retelling of the eponymous folk hero Hong Gil-dong as a private detective in the 1990s.[23]

In 2016, Lee starred in tvN's fantasy crime drama Signal together with Cho Jin-woong and Kim Hye-soo, which was critically and commercially successful.[24][25]

In 2017, Lee starred in the fantasy romance drama Tomorrow, With You opposite Shin Min-a, portraying a CEO of a real estate company who has the ability to travel through time.[26][27]He then starred in the biographical period drama film Anarchist from Colony directed by Lee Joon-ik, playing the character of Park Yeol, a self-proclaimed anarchist and revolutionary activist during the Colonial Era of Japan.[28][29] The same year Lee starred in the film I Can Speak as a civil servant who also tutors English.[30]

In 2018, Lee starred in the airport-themed melodrama Where Stars Land alongside Chae Soo-bin.[31] Lee and co-star Chae Soo-bin were appointed as honorary ambassadors of Incheon International Airport.[32]

In 2019, Lee filmed the travel reality programme Traveller along with Ryu Jun-yeol where the two stars enjoy a backpacking holiday in Cuba.[33] The same year, he was cast in the film Tomb Robbery.[34]

In 2020, Lee starred in the dystopian action thriller film Time to Hunt which earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.[35][36][37] He also starred in the caper story film Collectors.[38]

In 2021, Lee joined the SBS drama Taxi Driver,[39] his small screen comeback after last making a special appearance in Hot Stove League in 2020. Later in May, Lee appeared in the Netflix series Move to Heaven. Lee founded "Company on" in June 2021, after the contract with his former agency expired.[40]

In 2022, Lee organized a fan meeting which was held at Central World Live in Bangkok, Thailand on June 22 and 23.[41] Later in August, it was announced that Lee will hold another fan meeting at the Centennial Memorial Hall of Yonsei University concert hall in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.[42] Later in October, Lee made a comeback to the small screen with a special appearance in the SBS drama One Dollar Lawyer.[43]

In 2023, Lee starred in the second season of the SBS drama Taxi Driver.[citation needed]

Personal life

Lee enlisted on October 25, 2012, for his mandatory military service as a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency riot police.[44][45] He was discharged on July 24, 2014.[46][47]

Philanthropy

On March 6, 2022, Lee donated 100 million won to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.[48]

In April 2023, Lee donated a total of 1 million won from the quiz on You Quiz on the Block to the Korea Film Academy (KAFA) Development Fund.[49]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2009The Pit and the PendulumYoung Sang-tae
2010The InfluenceSunjongInternet film[50]
The ServantHanbok makerBit part
Finding Mr. DestinyWoo-hyungBit part
GhostKim Se-youngSegment: "Tarot 3. The Unseen"
2011Bleak NightKi-taeIndependent film
The Front LineCaptain Shin Il-young
2012Architecture 101young Lee Seung-min
Ghost SweepersSuk-hyun
Rise of the GuardiansJack Frost (voice)Korean dub
2013An Ethics LessonKim Jung-hoon
My PaparottiLee Jang-ho
2016Phantom DetectiveHong Gil-dong
2017Anarchist from ColonyPark Yeol
I Can SpeakPark Min-jae
2020Time to HuntJoon-seokNetflix film
CollectorsKang Dong-goo
2023Noryang: Deadly Seayoung Gwang-haeSpecial appearance[51]
2024EscapeLim Gyu-nam[52]
TBABig DealChoi In-beom[53]

Short film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2007They Live by Night Private Shin
Placebo
2008Ah Man
Holy VacationKang Young-woon
2009Just Friends?Seok-i
Language LifeKyung-min
When Winter Comes
2010Maldives ExpressEun-seok
A Dog Came Into My FlashSon/Twenty-something man
Miss CommunicationMale book designer
2013After Being Late...LoveAssistant director only
2021Unframed – Blue happinessDirector, Screenwriter[note 1]Watcha original film[54][55][56]

Television series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2010Three SistersKim Eun-gook[57]
2012Fashion KingJung Jae-hyuk
2014Secret DoorYi Sun
2016SignalPark Hae-young
2017Tomorrow, With YouYoo So-joon
2018Where Stars LandLee Soo-yeon
2020Hot Stove LeagueLee Je-hoonCameo (Episode 16)[58]
2021–presentTaxi DriverKim Do-giSeason 1–2[39]
2022One Dollar LawyerTop Star Lee Je-hoonCameo (episode 6)[43]
2024Chief Detective 1958Park Young-han[59]

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2021Move to HeavenJo Sang-goo[60]
FloorKang-hoAudio series[61][62]
2023Big BetJang-junCameo (Part 2)[63][64]

Documentary

YearTitleRoleRef.
2018Earth: One Amazing DayNarrator[65]
2019DMZ – PrologueNarrator[66]
2022Another Record: Lee Je-hoonHimself[67]

Television show

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2019TravelerCast memberwith Ryu Jun-yeol[33]
1919-2019, MemoriesNarratorEpisode: 7 of Ahn Jung-geun[68]
2021SBS Special – Immortal AgeNarratorEpisode: Frozen Man[69]
Your Wish List, Change the Future of the Earth!NarratorEpisode: October 2050, a letter from the future[70]

Hosting

YearTitleNotesRef.
20182018 SBS Drama Awardswith Shin Dong-yup and Shin Hye-sun[71]

Music video appearances

YearSong titleArtistRef.
2012"I Choose To Love You"Hyolyn[citation needed]
2015"Home"Brown Eyed Soul[citation needed]
2019"With You"Crush[citation needed]
2020"Reconnect"Code Kunst, Simon Dominic, and Choi Jung-hoon of Jannabi[72]
2021"Only"LeeHi[73][74]
"I'll Never Know You" (모르겠어)Urban Zakapa[75]

Discography

TitleYearAlbum
"Love Like This" (사랑은 이렇게)[76]2012Fashion King OST
"The Person That Makes You Happy" (행복을 주는 사람)
(Duet with Han Suk-kyu)
2013My Paparotti OST

Goodwill ambassador

  • 2016 Honorary Ambassador of Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) by Korean Film Council[77]
  • 2016 Honorary Ambassador of Korea National Police Agency's Human Rights[78]
  • 2016 Honorary Ambassador of Oxfam Korea[79]
  • 2017 Honorary Ambassador of Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism.[80]

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremonyYearCategoryNominee / WorkResultRef.
Amnesty International Awards2017Special AwardI Can SpeakWon[81]
APAN Star Awards2022Top Excellence Award, Actor in a MiniseriesTaxi DriverNominated[82]
Asian Academy Creative Awards2021Best Actor in Leading RoleMove to HeavenWon[83][84][85]
Asia Contents AwardsBest ActorWon[86][87][88]
Asian Film Awards2012Best Supporting ActorThe Front LineNominated
Baeksang Arts Awards2012Best New Actor – FilmArchitecture 101Nominated[89]
2020Best Actor – FilmTime to HuntNominated[90]
Blue Dragon Film Awards2011Best New ActorBleak NightWon[91]
Blue Dragon Series Awards2022Best Leading ActorMove to HeavenNominated[92]
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival2012Fantasia AwardArchitecture 101Won[93]
Buil Film Awards2011Best DressedLee Je-hoonWon[94]
Best New ActorThe Front LineWon
2017Best ActorAnarchist from ColonyNominated
Busan International Film Festival with Marie Claire Asia Star Awards2017Asia Star AwardLee Je-hoonWon[95]
2023Asia Star AwardLee Je-hoonWon[96]
CGV Arthouse Opening Ceremony2014Plaque for Rising Star in Independent FilmBleak NightWon[97]
Cine 21 Awards2011Best New ActorWon[98]
CINE ICON: KT&G Actor / Actress Event2016ICON OF THE YEARPhantom DetectiveWon
Golden Cinema Film Festival2018Popularity Award, ActorI Can SpeakWon[99]
Grand Bell Awards2011Best New ActorThe Front LineNominated
Bleak NightWon[100]
2017Best ActorAnarchist from ColonyNominated
Jecheon International Music & Film Festival2014Best Actor in a Music FilmMy PaparottiWon[101]
KAFA 10th Anniversary Award2016Actor Special Merit AwardBleak NightWon[102]
Kino Lights Awards2021Actor of The Year (Domestic)Taxi Driver and Move to Heaven3rd place[103]
KOFRA Film Awards2012Best New ActorBleak NightWon[104]
Korean Association of Film Critics Awards2011The Front LineWon[105]
Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards2011Bleak NightWon[106]
Korea Film Actors Association2016Popular Star AwardPhantom DetectiveWon[107]
Korea Youth Film Festival2017Grand PrizeAnarchist from ColonyWon[108]
Mnet 20's Choice Awards201220's Male Movie StarArchitecture 101Won[109]
Resistance Film Festival in Korea2018Best ActorAnarchist from Colony, I Can SpeakWon[110]
SBS Drama Awards2014Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial DramaSecret DoorWon[111]
Top 10 StarsWon
2018Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday DramaWhere Stars LandWon[112]
Best Couple AwardLee Je-hoon with Chae Soo-bin
Where Stars Land
Nominated[113]
2021Grand Prize (Daesang)Taxi DriverNominated[114]
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries - FantasyWon[115]
2023Grand Prize (Daesang)Taxi Driver 2Won[116]
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Seasonal DramaNominated[117]
Seoul International Drama Awards2021Outstanding Korean ActorTaxi DriverNominated[118][119]
tvN10 Awards2016Best ActorSignalNominated
PD's Choice Award, DramaWon[120]

State honors

Name of country, year given, and name of honor
CountryOrganizationYearHonor Or AwardRef.
South KoreaNational Tax Service[note 2]2019Presidential Commendation[122]
Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards[note 3]2021Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation[126]
Newsis K-EXPO Cultural Awards[note 4]2023Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award[128]
3rd Korea Good Donor Award[note 5]2023Minister of Public Administration and Security Commendation[129]

Notes

References