Lee Hee-joon

Early life and education

Lee was born on June 29, 1979 in Songhyeon-dong, Dalseo District, Daegu, South Korea. After completing high school without knowing what he wanted to do, he entered the Department of Chemical Engineering at Yeungnam University.

The turning point in his life came a week before his military enlistment, when he had a farewell party and got into a car accident that required major surgery. As a result, he was exempted from military service. Despite being exempt, he lost interest in his studies and wandered for a while, spending his days playing guitar, singing, and drinking. During this time, he happened to see a poster for a children's theatre company in Daegu and out of curiosity, he visited the theatre company. Lee worked as the youngest member of the Daegu theatre company "Onnuri" for approximately 2 years and 6 months. Instead of being an actor, his role within the troupe involved tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and putting up posters. Lee independently studied and followed Stanislavsky's book Actor's Class.

Lee debuted on in 1999 with the play Tourist Zone. He discovered a passion for acting while performing in children's plays such as The Jungle Book and Cinderella. Later on, he developed a strong desire to receive formal acting training, which led him to drop out of the chemical engineering department at Yeungnam University.

Career

In 2002, Lee, who dropped out of Yeungnam University, met Lee Yun-taek and joined the Yeonheedan street troupe and lived at Miryang Theater Village for a year. He also appeared as King Oedipus in the opening production of the 2nd Miryang Theater Festival, Oedipus.

Afterwards, Lee moved to Chaimu Theater Company and played the lead role, making a name for himself in Daehakro.

Afterwards, he wanted to take acting lessons in a more systematic way, so he applied to Korea National University of Arts, but was rejected. In the end, he took the exam again and proudly entered school at the age of 24 (Class of 2003). The university is famous for its rigorous, practical-oriented curriculum. When he was an engineering student, he was tired of theory classes, so life at a practical-oriented Korean art school was like heaven. To paraphrase his own words, "I loved school." So good was he that he attended on scholarship for all eight semesters, three of which he even received full scholarships.

In 2005, he further showcased his talent by appearing in the musical Lee. He continued to hone his acting skills through various projects, including notable works like The King and the Clown and the 2007 play Byun. In 2009, he further enriched his repertoire with performances in Melodrama and There in Chuncheon.

Lee showcased the acting experience he accumulated through his involvement in musicals and theater productions, transitioning to the screen and television. He made a notable appearance in the 2007 film Secret Sunshine, portraying a minor character that garnered attention due to his captivating presence. Subsequently, he actively pursued supporting roles, featuring in films such as The Predators (2009), Unfair Trade (2010), The Yellow Sea (2010), Heartbeat (2011), Special Edition (2012), and Detective Cha (2012).

Lee also appeared on TV as a member of the Chaimu Troupe. When he appeared in the play B Unso in 2010, he was noticed by KBS drama special producer and began to make a name for himself by appearing in several one-act plays. Lee gained recognition through the KBS2 drama special Texas Hits in 2010, where he portrayed a gangster running a gambling site and impressed viewers with his acting. At the time, he was called a "star of one-act plays".

After that, he appeared in drama serial series Perfect Spy. At the press conference, actor Son Hyun-joo praised Lee, saying, "He will become a star like Song Sae-byeok."

After Perfect Spy, Lee Hee-jun appeared in Cupid Factory where he portrayed the character of So-jun, a composer who struggled to write a song due to a lack of dating experience. Despite the absurd premise of purchasing a machine at Cupid Factory to make oneself fall in love, Lee portrayed the character effortlessly, creating an engaging story that was well received by viewers. He emerged as a promising actor discovered by the KBS drama department.

In 2012, Lee then appeared in the KBS hit drama My Husband Got a Family, where he portrayed Cheon Jae-yong, a charming and innocent man. His presence in the drama played a significant role in shaping his career, contributing to his success, and gaining public awareness and popularity. He won the Best New Actor Award in the TV category at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2013.

Lee joined the theater company "Ganda Performance Delivery Service" as an early member. The company was formed by friends who collaborated on creative projects while attending Korea National University of Arts, with CEO Min Jun-ho at the forefront. Jin Seon-kyu, was also part of the company in its early stages.

Lee later appeared in several works including Jeon Woo-chi, God of the Workplace, Yuna's Street, Mistress, and the movies Sea Fog, 1987, Miss Baek, and Namsan Managers. In each of these works, he showcased a high level of character immersion, transcending both the small and big screens. As a result, he was reborn as a 'trustworthy actor'.

Personal life

Lee Hee-joon and model Lee Hye-jung confirmed their relationship in August 2015. They registered their marriage prior to the ceremony and had their private wedding ceremony in a wedding hall in Yongsan, Seoul on April 23, 2016.

Filmography

Film

Television series

Stage

Dance

Musical

Theatre

Awards and nominations

Listicles

Notes

References

References

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