Lee Yoo-young (
Korean: 이유영; born December 8, 1989) is a South Korean actress.[1] She made her debut in the film Late Spring (2014) which earned her a Best Actress award at the 14th
Milan Film Festival.[2] She subsequently starred in the television series The Lies Within (2018), Insider (2022) and Dare to Love Me (2024).
Early life and education
Lee Yoo-young was born in
Seoul on December 8, 1989.[3] As a child, she was extremely shy and timid, often avoiding eye contact with others. Despite her desire to socialize with friends, she faced harassment and ostracism. Upon entering high school, she made a conscious effort to make friends, leading to a transformation in her personality. However, she faced difficulties at home—her parents were very strict and provided her with little pocket money, making it hard for her to socialize with friends. When she turned 20, she decided to start earning her own money to gain more freedom. She worked various part-time jobs, including as a hairdresser assistant at a hair salon.[4][5][6]
In 2012, Lee began her acting career in the short film "Flowers Do Not Wither..." and went on to appear in a couple more short films.[8] She made her feature film debut in 2014 in the film Late Spring for which she won Best Actress at the 14th
Milan Film Festival, making her the first Korean to receive the honor.[2][9] Lee continued to portray strong women dealing with trauma in films such as "The Treacherous" and "The Accidental Detective," as well as in the tvN drama "Tunnel."[4]
In August 2015, Lee started filming
Hong Sang-soo's film Yourself and Yours.[13] Director Hong Sang-soo's movies have a lot of particularly long lines. From the actors' point of view, they can't help but feel nervous. This seems to have been especially true for actors Kim Joo-hyuk and Lee Yoo-young.[14]
In Tunnel, her first drama, she portrayed Shin Jae-yi, a character who becomes emotionally distant and cold after losing her parents and experiencing a traumatic event. Despite being in her 30s, an age typically associated with bright and cheerful roles, Lee has chosen to take on more complex and challenging characters.[4]
In 2018, Lee portrayed Han Eun-sung, a french interpreter in the drama special You Drive Me Crazy, opposite
Kim Seon-ho. The four-episode drama was aired on
MBC from May 7–8, 2018.[15]
In 2020, Lee participated in SF8, a crossover project planned by MBC and the Directors Guild of Korea, and provided by Wave and MBC. It consisted of 8 short films with eight directors. She acted opposite Ye Soo-jung in the segment "Nursing" directed by Min Gyu-dong.[16]
In the drama "Traces of Love," Lee played the role of Joo-young. It's a romantic comedy that explores the reunion of former lovers. Joo-young's former lover and co-worker is Ji-seop, played by
Lee Sang-yeob. The drama concludes with Joo-young leaving her company to accept a promotion elsewhere. Directed by
Yoo Young-eun, "Traces of Love" has been praised for its gender-sensitivity.[17]
In September of the same year, Lee appeared in Jo Seul-Ye’s feature film debut Diva. She acted opposite Shin Min-ah and Lee Kyu-hyung. Story revolves around Lee Young (Shin Min-ah) and Soo-jin (Lee Yu-young) are competitive divers and friends. After a car accident, Soo-jin goes missing, leaving Lee Young distraught. The film explores Lee Young's psychological journey as she struggles with the loss of her friend and her own fears and desires.[18][19]
In 2021, Lee played a wife of neuroscientist in
Apple TV+ original series Dr. Brain. It is the first Korean-language show produced for
Apple TV+. As the drama series debut of renowned filmmaker
Kim Jee-woon, the sci-fi thriller is based on the Korean webtoon of the same name.[20][21][22]
Lee Yoo-young portrayed the character of Young-mi in Ms. Apocalypse. Written and directed by Lim Sun-Ae, Ms. Apocalypse is a new millennium drama set in 1999. The story revolves around Young-mi, who lost everything due to a crush, and encounters Yu-jin, the wife of her crush. The film has garnered positive reviews at prestigious film festivals including the 27th Fantasia Film Festival Schwarzenegger Competition, the 28th Busan International Film Festival Korea's Today-Panorama, and the 49th Seoul Independent Film Festival Festival Choice.[23][24][25]
^Jeon, Hyo-jin (February 6, 2023).
"이유영, 침대 팔베개로 티낸 열애 "비연예인과 최근 교제" [공식입장]" [Lee Yoo-young, a devotee revealed with an arm pillow on the bed "Recent relationship with a non-celebrity" [Official Position]] (in Korean). Sports DongA.
Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2023 – via
Naver.
^Kim Ji-won (October 6, 2021).
"[공식] 류승룡 주연 '장르만 로맨스', 11월 개봉 확정" [[Official] Ryu Seung-ryong's 'Genre Romance' confirmed for release in November]. Ten Asia (in Korean).
Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2021 – via
Naver.
^Bae Hyo-joo (October 19, 2021).
"장르만 로맨스' 4차원 이유영X시한폭탄 성유빈, 담 넘는 이웃사이?" ['Genre Romance' 4D Lee Yoo-young X Time Bomb Sung Yu-bin, Neighbors Over Walls?] (in Korean). Newsen.
Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2021 – via
Naver.
^Kang Nae-ri (October 28, 2022).
"[단독] 이유영, 임선애 감독 신작 '세기말의 사랑' 여주인공 낙점" [[Exclusive] Lee Yoo-young and Im Seon-ae's new film 'Love at the End of the Century' to be selected as the female lead]. YTN (in Korean).
Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2022 – via
Naver.
^"이유영 '세기말의 사랑' 1월24일 개봉확정..컬러풀 메인포스터 공개" [Lee Yu-young's 'Love at the End of the Century' confirmed to be released on January 24th... Colorful main poster revealed]. Herald POP (in Korean).
Naver. December 27, 2023.
Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
^Jeon Hyung-hwa (April 14, 2020).
"[단독]곽도원·주원·유재명, 곽경택 감독 '소방관' 불꽃길 도전 [종합]" [[Exclusive] Kwak Do-won, Joo-won, Yoo Jae-myung, Director Kwak Kyung-taek's 'Firefighter' Flame Road Challenge [Comprehensive]]. Star News (in Korean).
Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022 – via
Naver.
^Moon Ji-yeon (April 5, 2021).
"[단독] 이유영, 강하늘과 '인사이더' 주인공" [[Exclusive] Lee Yoo-young, Kang Ha-neul and 'Insider' protagonist]. Sports Chosun (in Korean).
Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021 – via V.daum.
^Kang Jin-ah (August 11, 2021).
"강하늘·이유영, '인사이더' 주연...한 남자의 처절한 사투" [Kang Ha-neul and Lee Yoo-young to star in 'Insider'... A man's desperate struggle]. Newsis (in Korean).
Naver.
Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
^Kim Na-ra (October 25, 2021).
"애플TV+, 11월 4일 韓 출시...김지운 감독X이선균 'Dr. 브레인' 공개 [공식]" [Apple TV+ to be released in Korea on November 4th... Director Kim Ji-woon X Lee Seon-gyun 'Dr. Brain' Revealed [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily.
Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2021 – via
Naver.
^Kang, Seon-ae (September 2, 2022).
"이규형→엑소 수호 '찐친' 6인, '정법' PD와 호주行...'딱 한 번 간다면' 론칭" [Lee Kyu-hyung → EXO's Suho's 'Chin Chin' 6 members, 'Jung Beop' PD and Australia... Launch of 'If You Go Just Once] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News.
Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via
Naver.
^"이병헌·손예진·아이유 APAN스타어워즈 노미네이트". Star News (in Korean). September 27, 2018.
Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
^Lee, Jihyun (January 1, 2019).
[SBS 연기대상] 감우성·김선아, 공동 대상..베스트 커플상까지(종합) [[SBS Drama Awards] Gam Woo-sung, Kim Sun-ah, co- grand prize.. Best Couple Award (Comprehensive)]. News1 (in Korean).
Archived from the original on December 31, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
^Kim, Soo-hyung (January 1, 2019).
"베스트커플→대상" 감우성♥김선아, 노련美로 완성한 '무진커플'의 위력 [2018 SBS 연기대상]" [Best Couple → Daesang" Gam Woo-sung ♥ Kim Seon-ah, the power of 'Mujin Couple' completed with expert beauty [2018 SBS Drama Awards]] (in Korean). Osen.
Archived from the original on September 8, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022 – via
Naver.