Lee Jin-wook

Quick Facts: Who was Lee Jin-wook?

Subject:

Lee Jin-wook

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actor known for romance, thrillers, and genre-bending roles.

Born:

1981-09-16

Century / Era:

1981s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lee Jin-wook (Korean: 이진욱; born September 16, 1981) is a South Korean actor. He rose to fame with leading roles in the romance series Glass Castle (2008–2009) and I Need Romance 2012 (2012), before gaining wider recognition with his role in the time-traveling romance series Nine (2013). He then went on to star in the television series The Time We Were Not in Love (2015), crime thriller series Voice (2018–2019), Netflix apocalyptic horror series Sweet Home (2020–2024), and Squid Game (2024–2025). His notable film roles include the comedy Miss Granny (2014) and romantic comedy The Beauty Inside (2015). Lee Jin-wook studied Environmental Engineering at Cheongju University, but made a switch for acting.

Career & Major Achievements

He began his career in the entertainment industry modelling in commercials. Lee landed his first television acting role in the television dramas, Resurrection, in 2005 and later scored other roles in the television dramas Alone in Love, Someday, Smile Again. Lee achieved commercial success and Hallyu star status after his portrayal as the second male lead in the television series Air City, where he went on to date his co-star Choi Ji-woo for three years. Lee continued to land lead roles playing the president's son in Formidable Rivals, a plastic surgeon in the series Before and After, and a newly married chaebol in Glass Castle. He also made a cameo in The Road Home.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Lee then served his two-year mandatory military service from May 6, 2009, to March 7, 2011, at the Defense Media Agency of the Ministry of National Defense. After his military discharge in 2011, Lee starred in his comeback project, Myung-wol the Spy where he played a North Korean agent. He then went on to star in the romantic comedy drama I Need Romance 2012 alongside Jung Yu-mi. Lee then landed his most high-profile role yet as a TV anchor named Park Sun-woo in the time-traveling romance Nine alongside Jo Yoon-hee. After positive reception from his role in Nine, Lee starred in a cinematic film for the first time in 7 years in the 2014 comedy Miss Granny.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1981 (1981-09-16): Birth of Lee Jin-wook — Acclaimed South Korean actor known for romance, thrillers, and genre-bending roles.
2. 2005: 2005 Milestone — Lee landed his first television acting role in the television dramas, Resurrection, in 2005 and later scored other roles in the television dramas Alone in Love, Someday, Smile Again.
3. 2008: 2008 Milestone — He rose to fame with leading roles in the romance series Glass Castle (2008–2009) and I Need Romance 2012 (2012), before gaining wider recognition with his role in the time-traveling romance series Nine (2013).
4. 2009: 2009 Milestone — Lee then served his two-year mandatory military service from May 6, 2009, to March 7, 2011, at the Defense Media Agency of the Ministry of National Defense.
5. 2011: 2011 Milestone — After his military discharge in 2011, Lee starred in his comeback project, Myung-wol the Spy where he played a North Korean agent.
6. 2012: 2012 Milestone — He then went on to star in the romantic comedy drama I Need Romance 2012 alongside Jung Yu-mi.
7. 2014: 2014 Milestone — His notable film roles include the comedy Miss Granny (2014) and romantic comedy The Beauty Inside (2015).
8. 2015: 2015 Milestone — He then went on to star in the television series The Time We Were Not in Love (2015), crime thriller series Voice (2018–2019), Netflix apocalyptic horror series Sweet Home (2020–2024), and Squid Game (2024–2025).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lee Jin-wook

True or False: “Lee Jin-wook's role in the film The Beauty Inside was critically acclaimed for its unique character unveiling scene.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The cinematic release of The Beauty Inside featured a highly memorable sequence where his portrayal as Woo-jin underwent dramatic reincarnations.

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.
• Albert Szent-Györgyi — Shared historical date (09-16 · Born) (1893): Pioneering Hungarian biochemist, Nobel laureate for Vitamin C and muscle research.
• Aleksandr Medved — Shared historical date (09-16 · Born) (1937): Legendary Soviet/Belarussian freestyle wrestler, celebrated for Olympic dominance.
• 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.
• Ahn Jae-hwan — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): South Korean actor known for roles in films like Beautiful Temptation and Show Show Show.
• Aimé Césaire — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): Afro-Martinican poet, politician, and founder of the Négritude movement.
• Aage Bohr — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• 1981 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1981
• September 16 (09-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 16

Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Jin-wook