South Korean actor and singer
Lee Hyun-woo (born March 23, 1993) is a South Korean actor and singer. He began his career as a child actor when he was nine, and later appeared in the television series
The Return of Iljimae (2009) and
Queen Seondeok (2009). He also featured in
Master of Study (2010) and
To the Beautiful You (2012). Lee gained recognition with his role as a North Korean spy in the 2013 film
Secretly, Greatly as well as a genius hacker in 2014's
The Con Artists ,And
Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area (2022). He then played lead roles in
Moorim School: Saga of the Brave (2016) and
The Liar and His Lover (2017).
Career
2005–2011: Beginnings as a child actor
Lee began his career as a child actor, building up his resume by playing roles in a number of large-scale productions, such as
The Legend ,
The Great King, Sejong ,
The Return of Iljimae , and
Queen Seondeok .
[1]
[2]
He rose to fame for his role in
Master of Study , a Korean screen adaptation of Japanese manga
Dragon Zakura .
[3]
[4] The same year, Lee took to the stage for the 2010 musical production of
Footloose , where he played the leading role of Ren.
[5]
In 2011, he and
K-pop singer
Yoon Doo-joon (from
Beast ) began hosting the music program
Music on Top for cable channel
JTBC .
[6] He was then featured in
IU 's
music video for the song "You and I".
[7] Lee further expanded his acting scope in historical drama
Gyebaek ,
[8] revenge thriller
Man from the Equator ,
[9]
[10] and made a
guest appearance in
medical drama
Brain .
[11]
2012–2018: Rising popularity
In November 2013
In 2012, Lee co-starred in
To the Beautiful You , the Korean television adaptation of Japanese
manga
Hana-Kimi , with his role based on the character
Shuichi Nakatsu .
[12]
[13] Despite low ratings during its domestic run, To the Beautiful You led to increased
Korean Wave exposure for Lee in countries such as Singapore,
Malaysia ,
Taiwan and China.
[14]
[15]
[16] He and co-star
Hwang Kwang-hee were later announced as the new hosts of live music show
Inkigayo .
[17]
His breakthrough continued when he landed a major role in 2013 box office hit
Secretly, Greatly , an action-comedy film in which he played a North Korean undercover spy disguised as a high school boy.
[18] Lee also sang "Ode to Youth" for the film's soundtrack.
[19]
[20] He became the first male celebrity to be appointed ambassador of the Puchon International Film Festival.
[21]
In 2014, he and real-life best friend
Park Ji-bin (both were child actors and belong to the same agency) appeared in the travel/reality show Real Mate in
Saipan .
[22] Lee next played a
hacker in the
heist movie
The Con Artists .
[23]
[24]
He then starred in
Northern Limit Line , a 2015 naval thriller about the
Second Battle of Yeonpyeong .
[25] The film sold 6,024,894 tickets (grossing US$38,945,231 ), making it the most-watched Korean film in 2015.
[26]
In 2016, he starred in the fantasy youth drama
Moorim School: Saga of the Brave .
[27] Initially slated for 20 episodes, the drama was reduced to 16 episodes instead due to low ratings.
[28]
In 2017, Lee starred in the drama
The Liar and His Lover , the Korean remake of the Japanese manga
Kanojo wa Uso o Aishisugiteru alongside
Red Velvet 's
Joy .
[29]
In 2018, Lee released a digital single titled "Twenty-Six", prior to joining the army.
[30]
2022–present : Returning to the small screen
In 2022, Lee returned to the small screen with the Netflix drama
Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area , his first work on the small screen in five years.
[31]
Personal life
Military service
On February 19, 2018, Lee began his mandatory military service as an active duty soldier.
[32]
[33] He completed his military service and was discharged on October 19, 2019.
[34]
Filmography
Film
In April 2014
Television series
In January 2015
Web series
Music video appearances
Hosting
In August 2013
Year
Title
Ref.
December 8, 2011 – March 14, 2012
Music on Top
December 16, 2012 – January 26, 2014
Inkigayo
Reality shows
Theatre
Discography
Singles
Awards and nominations
References
^
"Lee Hyun-woo" . Korean Film Council .
Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016 .
^
"Lee Hyun-woo, life right now" . 10Asia. August 13, 2015.
Archived from the original on March 1, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016 – via
Hancinema .
^ Wee, Geun-woo (February 22, 2010).
"Interview: Actor Lee Hyun-woo – Part 1" . 10Asia .
Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2012 .
^ Wee, Geun-woo (February 22, 2010).
"Interview: Actor Lee Hyun-woo – Part 2" . 10Asia .
Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2012 .
^
'공부의 신' 이현우, 뮤지컬 '풋루즈'락 소년으로 캐스팅 [Lee Hyun-woo gets Footloose]. TV Daily (in Korean). November 29, 2010. Archived from
the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2012 .
^ Hong, Lucia (December 6, 2011).
"BEAST Yoon Du-jun, Lee Hyun-woo to host new music program" . 10Asia .
Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2012 .
^ Park Hyun-min, Elizabeth Eun (December 1, 2011).
"IU-Lee Hyun Woo's Hugging Scene Cut From MV" . enewsWorld . Archived from
the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2012 .
^
" '폭풍성장' 이현우, "계백 연기에 진짜 남자 된 기분" " . My Daily (in Korean). July 29, 2011.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 .
^
"Im Si Wan and Lee Hyun Woo To Have Confrontation in Man From the Equator " . KBS Global . February 24, 2012.
Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2012 .
^ Ho, Stewart (May 23, 2012).
"ZE:A's Im Si Wan, Lee Hyun Woo Makes a Return to The Equator Man " . enewsWorld . Archived from
the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2012 .
^ Jin, Young-ju (November 23, 2011).
"Lee Hyun Woo Transforms Into 'Batman' in Brain " . KBS Global . Archived from
the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2012 .
^ Hong, Lucia (June 13, 2012).
"Lee Hyun-woo to turn soccer player in SHINee Minho, f(x) Sulli's TV series" . 10Asia .
Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2012 .
^ Hong, Grace Danbi.
"Lee Hyun Woo and Others Confirmed for To the Beautiful You , Korean Hana Kimi Remake" . enewsWorld . Archived from
the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2012 .
^ Jeong, Ju-ri (March 16, 2014).
"Lee Hyun Woo visits China for his first solo fan meeting" . StarN News . Archived from
the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2014 .
^ Kim, Hye-in (March 17, 2014).
"Lee Hyun Woo successfully finishes his first solo China fan meeting" . StarN News . Archived from
the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2014 .
^
"Lee Hyun-woo meets with 5,000 fans" .
Korea JoongAng Daily . October 18, 2012.
Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017 .
^ Lee, Hye-ji (December 11, 2012).
"Kwanghee, Lee Hyun-woo to Host K-pop TV Program" . 10Asia . Archived from
the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2012 .
^ Sunwoo, Carla (May 6, 2013).
"Heartthrobs jazz up North Korean spy story" .
Korea JoongAng Daily . Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2013 . {{
cite web }}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (
link )
^ Kang, Jung-yeon (June 20, 2013).
"Lee Hyun-woo Sings Soundtrack for Secretly Greatly " . 10Asia . Archived from
the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2013 .
^ Hong, Grace Danbi (June 20, 2013).
"Lee Hyun Woo Sings An Ode to the Youth for Secretly, Greatly " . enewsWorld . Archived from
the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2013 .
^
"Lee Hyun-woo to Become Face of Puchon Int'l Film Fest" . 10Asia . June 14, 2013. Archived from
the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2017 .
^ Hong, Grace Danbi (January 2, 2014).
"Lee Hyun Woo and Park Ji Bin Ooze with Cuteness for Real Mate in Saipan Teaser" . enewsWorld . Archived from
the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014 .
^ Kim, Ji-min (November 20, 2014).
"Criminal Designer draws attention with noted cast" .
Korea JoongAng Daily .
Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014 .
^ Ko, Hong-ju (December 27, 2014).
"Interview: Lee Hyun Woo Talks The Technicians , On-Screen Bromance, Future Plans and More" . enewsWorld . Archived from
the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014 .
^ Conran, Pierce (July 11, 2014).
"LEE Hyun-woo Prepares for BATTLE OF YEONPYEONG" . Korean Film Biz Zone .
Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015 .
^
"Northern Limit Line , most-viewed Korean film of this year" .
Yonhap News Agency . July 10, 2015.
Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2015 .
^
"Lee Hyun-woo, Lee Hong-bin gives glimpse of youths' lives in new TV series" .
The Korea Herald . January 12, 2016.
Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2017 .
^
" 'Moorim School' to wrap up early" .
Korea JoongAng Daily . February 3, 2016.
Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017 .
^
"Lee Hyun-woo, Red Velvet's Joy to star in 'She Loves Lie So Much' " .
Kpop Herald . January 13, 2017.
Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2017 .
^
"[SBS Star] Lee Hyun Woo Releases a Single Before Enlisting in the Military" . SBS News . February 6, 2018.
Archived from the original on February 7, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018 .
^ Park Pan-seok (June 23, 2022).
"이현우, '종이의집' 막내 리우 컴백..차근차근 다져온 연기력 기대" [Lee Hyun-woo, 'Paper House' maknae Rio comeback... Expecting acting skills step by step] (in Korean). Osen.
Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022 – via
Naver .
^
"[엑's 투데이] 이현우, 오늘(19일) 육군 전진부대 신병교육대 입소" (in Korean). Xports News. February 19, 2018.
Archived from the original on February 19, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018 – via
Naver .
^
"[SBS Star] Lee Hyun Woo Joins the Military with Last Farewell" . SBS News . February 20, 2018.
Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018 .
^
"이현우, 오늘(19일) 만기 전역… 영화 '영웅'으로 복귀 시동 [공식]" .
Sports Chosun (in Korean).
Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2019 .
^
" '환상극장' 한지혜 감독 "이현우, 1년 만에 남자가 됐다" " (in Korean).
The Korea Economic Daily . March 4, 2011.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 – via
Naver .
^
" '글러브' 이현우, "슬라이딩으로 공 잡는 장면, 감동해서 눈물이" " . TV Daily (in Korean). January 10, 2011. Archived from
the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2018 .
^ Bae Hyo-joo (October 7, 2022).
"작은아씨들 김고은 오늘은 부산에‥'영웅' 미디어데이 얼굴 도장 꽝[27회 BIFF]" [Little Women Go-eun Kim Today in Busan… ‘Heroes’ Media Day Face Painting [Episode 27 BIFF]] (in Korean). Newsen.
Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022 – via
Naver .
^
"Dream Movie (2020)" .
HanCinema .
Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020 .
^ Lee Seung-mi (December 14, 2021).
"[공식]영화 '도그 데이즈', 유해진·윤여정·김윤진·김서형 등 캐스팅 확정" [[Official] Casting confirmed for movie 'Dog Days', including Hae-Jin Ha, Yeo-Jeong Yoon, Yun-Jin Kim, Seo-Hyeong Kim, etc.] (in Korean).
Sports Chosun .
Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Naver.
^ Jo Ji-young (January 2, 2024).
"[공식] 윤여정X유해진 '도그데이즈' 2월 7일 개봉 확정..설날 극장 정조준" .
Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved January 2, 2024 .
^
"KBS 새 어린이드라마 '화랑전사 마루' 방송" (in Korean).
Yonhap News Agency . April 19, 2006.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 – via
Naver .
^
"[베일 벗은 '로비스트']이현우 등 '태사기' 아역들 초반 시청률 주도" (in Korean).
Newsis . September 30, 2007.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 – via
Naver .
^
" '어린 세종' 이현우, '제 2의 황정민' 될 '싹' 보이나요?" (in Korean). My Daily. February 6, 2008.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 – via
Naver .
^
" '대왕세종' 이현우 사극 아역스타 계보 잇나" (in Korean). TV Report. January 7, 2008.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 – via
Naver .
^
" '드라마시티' 최초 4부작 형식 도입…단막극 새장 예고" (in Korean). My Daily. January 31, 2008.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 – via
Naver .
^
" '차돌이' 이현우, '일지매 마니아'로 사랑스런 캐릭터 연기 '눈길' " (in Korean). My Daily. February 4, 2009.
Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 – via
Naver .
^
"요원 '선덕여왕' 16일 첫 등장! 기다리는 마음 '안달복달' " . Newsen (in Korean). June 15, 2009.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 .
^
" '선덕' 어린 유신 이현우, '밥 줘!'서도 맹활약" (in Korean).
Seoul Shinmun . September 10, 2009.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 – via
Naver .
^
"2년 여 만에 안방복귀 이현우 '내일을 향해 뛰어라' 극중 반전 스틸 공개" (in Korean). Sports Khan. February 11, 2015.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 – via
Naver .
^
" "Scholar Who Walks the Night" Lee Joon-gi and Lee Hyun-woo" .
HanCinema . June 23, 2015.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 .
^ Kang Nae-ri (September 16, 2022).
"이현우, '오늘도 사랑스럽개' 캐스팅 확정…차은우와 브로맨스" [Lee Hyun-woo confirmed casting for 'Today's Lovely Dog'... Cha Eun-woo and Bromance] (in Korean).
YTN .
Archived from the original on September 16, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via
Naver .
^ Park Soo-in (May 31, 2021).
"이현우, 한국판 '종이의 집' 합류‥리우役 맡는다(공식)" [Lee Hyun-woo joins the Korean version of 'House of Paper'] (in Korean). Newsen.
Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021 – via
Naver .
^ Lee Min-ji (April 29, 2022).
" '종이의 집:공동경제구역' 6월 24일 파트1 공개, 하회탈 선택[공식]" [House of Paper: Common Economic Zone’ Part 1 released on June 24, Hahoe Mask Selection [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen.
Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022 – via
Naver .
^
"이현우, 악동뮤지션 신곡 MV 출연 '풋풋한 로맨스' " . My Daily (in Korean). March 24, 2013.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 .
^
"이현우, KCM '우리도 남들처럼' MV 주인공…감성 폭발" . Sports Donga (in Korean). January 26, 2016.
Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018 .
^ Charted songs:
^
"Lee Hyun-woo to release single with Louie" .
Korea JoongAng Daily . December 31, 2015.
Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017 .
^
"2016 Gaon Download Chart – Week 2" .
Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2017 .
^
"2017 Gaon Download Chart – Week 13" .
Gaon Chart .
Archived from the original on April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2017 .
^
"이현우 男 청소년 연기상 수상" . Asiae (in Korean). December 31, 2008.
Archived from the original on February 23, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016 .
^
"뉴스타상 이현우 '더욱 멋진 배우가 될게요' " . SBS News (in Korean). December 31, 2012.
Archived from the original on February 23, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016 .
^
"2014 Asia Model Awards 'New Star Award Lee Hyun Wu & Jung Ju Yeon' " . AMFOC . Archived from
the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018 .
^
"[포토] 이현우, '라이징스타상 받으러왔어요' " .
The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). December 15, 2015.
Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018 .
^
"Best Supporting Actor Award for LEE Hyun-woo in Houston" .
Korean Film Council . May 9, 2016.
Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2017 .
External links
1990s 2000s
Jang Hyuk and
So Ji-sub (2000)
Go Soo ,
Ji Sung ,
Zo In-sung ,
Park Jung-chul and
Ryoo Seung-bum (2001)
Kim Jaewon ,
Kwon Sang-woo and
Ryu Soo-young (2002)
Gong Yoo ,
Kim Nam-jin ,
Lee Dong-wook and
Jo Hyun-jae (2003)
Kim Sung-soo and
Lee Wan (2004)
Lee Kyu-han ,
Lee Jae-hwang ,
Lee Tae-gon ,
Cho Yeon-woo and
Chun Jung-myung (2005)
Lee Jin-wook ,
Yoon Sang-hyun and
Kang Ji-sub (2006)
Ryu Tae-joon ,
Park Si-hoo ,
Song Jong-ho and
Shin Dong-wook (2007)
Ji Hyun-woo ,
Ha Seok-jin ,
Bae Soo-bin ,
Lee Sang-woo ,
Lee Jun-hyuk (2008)
Kim Bum ,
Lee Yong-woo ,
Lee Hong-gi ,
Jung Yong-hwa ,
Jung Gyu-woon and
Jin Tae-hyun (2009)
2010s
Kim Soo-hyun ,
No Min-woo ,
Joo Sang-wook and
Choi Si-won (2010)
Kim Jae-joong ,
Sung Hoon ,
Ji Chang-wook and
Lee Jae-yoon (2011)
Choi Min-ho ,
Lee Jong-hyun ,
Lee Hyun-woo and
Jung Eun-woo (2012)
Kang Min-hyuk ,
Seo In-guk ,
Lim Ju-hwan and
Choi Jin-hyuk (2013)
Ahn Jae-hyun ,
Seo Ha-joon ,
Kang Ha-neul ,
Kim Young-kwang and
Park Seo-joon (2014)
Yoon Kyun-sang ,
Byun Yo-han ,
Park Hyung-sik ,
Yook Sung-jae and
Son Ho-jun (2015)
Kwak Si-yang ,
Jung Hae-in ,
Go Kyung-pyo ,
Kim Min-jae ,
Kim Min-seok and
Baekhyun (2016)
Yang Se-jong (2017)
Ahn Hyo-seop (2018)
Eum Moon-suk (2019)
2020s
From 2001 to 2016, it was the New Star Award.
International National Artists