Lee Dong-wook

Quick Facts: Who was Lee Dong-wook?

Subject:

Lee Dong-wook

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actor known for leading roles in hit dramas like My Girl and Tale of the Nine Tailed.

Born:

1981-11-06

Century / Era:

1981s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lee Dong-wook (Korean: 이동욱; born 6 November 1981) is a South Korean actor and presenter. He is best known for his leading roles in the television dramas My Girl (2005–2006), Scent of a Woman (2011), Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017), Life (2018), Hell Is Other People (2019), Tale of the Nine Tailed (2020), Bad and Crazy (2021), Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 (2023), and A Shop for Killers (2024). He is also the host of the talk show Strong Heart (2012–2013), boy group survival reality show Produce X 101 (2019), and his own American-style talk show Wook Talk (2019). In 2005, Lee enrolled in Joongbu University, majoring in media and broadcasting arts. Lee made his acting debut in 1999 in an MBC single-episode drama after winning the grand prize in the V-NESS model contest of the same year.

Career & Major Achievements

The PD of the drama saw Lee, and proceeded to cast him in the teen drama School 2. Lee started to gain recognition with his performance in School 3. Lee hit stardom with 2005 romantic comedy My Girl. The drama series became a hit during its run both domestically and across Asia, and made Lee a Korean Wave star. He has since starred in noir Bitter Sweet Life (2008), courtroom dramedy Partner (2009), melodrama Scent of a Woman (2011), baseball rom-com Wild Romance (2012), period thriller The Fugitive of Joseon (2013), and revenge drama Hotel King (2014), in which he reunited with My Girl co-star Lee Da-hae.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He then starred in fantasy-action series Blade Man (2014) and romance drama Bubble Gum (2015). Lee and comedian Shin Dong-yup took over as MCs of talk show Strong Heart from April 2012 to January 2013. Lee also joined the reality show Roommate, which aired from 2014 to 2015. From 2016 to 2017, Lee starred alongside Gong Yoo in Kim Eun-sook's fantasy-romance drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God playing a grim reaper. The drama was a hit, and along with its success, helped in the resurgence of Lee's acting career.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1981 (1981-11-06): Birth of Lee Dong-wook — Acclaimed South Korean actor known for leading roles in hit dramas like My Girl and Tale of the Nine Tailed.
2. 1999: 1999 Milestone — Lee made his acting debut in 1999 in an MBC single-episode drama after winning the grand prize in the V-NESS model contest of the same year.
3. 2005: 2005 Milestone — He is best known for his leading roles in the television dramas My Girl (2005–2006), Scent of a Woman (2011), Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017), Life (2018), Hell Is Other People (2019), Tale of the Nine Tailed (2020), Bad and Crazy (2021), Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 (2023), and A Shop for Killers (2024).
4. 2008: 2008 Milestone — He has since starred in noir Bitter Sweet Life (2008), courtroom dramedy Partner (2009), melodrama Scent of a Woman (2011), baseball rom-com Wild Romance (2012), period thriller The Fugitive of Joseon (2013), and revenge drama Hotel King (2014), in which he reunited with My Girl co-star Lee Da-hae.
5. 2012: 2012 Milestone — He is also the host of the talk show Strong Heart (2012–2013), boy group survival reality show Produce X 101 (2019), and his own American-style talk show Wook Talk (2019).
6. 2014: 2014 Milestone — He then starred in fantasy-action series Blade Man (2014) and romance drama Bubble Gum (2015).
7. 2016: 2016 Milestone — From 2016 to 2017, Lee starred alongside Gong Yoo in Kim Eun-sook's fantasy-romance drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God playing a grim reaper.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lee Dong-wook

True or False: “Lee Dong-wook's acting career first gained significant traction after winning a grand prize in a model contest.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He won the grand prize in the V-NESS model contest in 1999, which led to his initial casting in an MBC drama.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abel Gance — Contemporary (Died in 1981) (1981): French cinematic pioneer, celebrated for his mastery of montage and epic filmmaking.
• Abigail Spencer — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): American actress, producer, and writer known for roles in soap operas and dramas.
• Adriana Lima — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): Iconic Brazilian model, celebrated for her long tenure as a Victoria's Secret Angel.
• Adolf Wölfli — Shared historical date (11-06 · Died) (1930): Swiss outsider artist known for meticulous, symbolic, and autobiographical works.
• Adolph Northen — Shared historical date (11-06 · Born) (1828): German painter known for dramatic battle scenes, especially Napoleonic Wars events.
• Albert Cohen (novelist) — Historical peer (Died in 1981) (1981): Greek-born Swiss novelist who wrote in French, known for his memoirs and international work.
• Albert Speer — Historical peer (Died in 1981) (1981): German architect and Nazi official, known for monumental designs and wartime ministry.
• Ahmed Zaki (actor) — Historical peer (Died in 2005) (2005): Iconic Egyptian actor celebrated for intense dramatic performances and masterful impersonation.
• Akira Yoshizawa — Historical peer (Died in 2005) (2005): Japanese origamist, credited with elevating origami from a mere craft to a recognized living art.
• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• 1981 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1981
• November 6 (11-06) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 6

Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Dong-wook