Lee Jung-eun (actress)

Quick Facts: Who was Lee Jung-eun (actress)?

Subject:

Lee Jung-eun (actress)

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actress known for roles in Parasite, Okja, and The Attorney.

Born:

1970-01-23

Century / Era:

1970s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lee Jung-eun (Korean: 이정은; born January 23, 1970) is a South Korean actress. She debuted onstage in 1991 and also played minor roles in films. She went on to appear in acclaimed films like The Attorney (2013), A Violent Prosecutor (2015), and festival favorites such as A Girl at My Door (2014) and The Wailing (2016). Lee landed more significant roles in A Taxi Driver (2017), Miss Baek (2017), and Another Child (2018). Known for her work with Bong Joon-ho, starting with the 2009 film Mother, as the voice of the pig Okja in the film Okja, she is best known internationally for her role as the housekeeper Moon-gwang in the film Parasite, which won four Academy Awards and became the first non-English language film to win the award for Best Picture.

Career & Major Achievements

Lee Jung-eun was born on January 23, 1970, in Seoul and grew up in a neighborhood near Hanyang University. She attended Hanyang Girls' High School, where societal expectations for female students emphasized studying literature and preparing for marriage. However, Lee defied these norms and pursued a career in acting. Her decision was influenced by the student protests she witnessed during high school and the tragic death of activist Lee Han-yeol in 1987. After mourning Lee Han-yeol's death by wearing black ribbons, her friend was expelled, which led to Lee reflecting on her circumstances.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This event prompted a rebellion against the older generation and encouraged Lee to reconsider her path. Recalling her love for performing and entertainment, she switched her academic focus to a theater and film major just two months before her college entrance exams, aiming to study directing. She was accepted into the Department of Theater and Film at Hanyang University, class of 1988. After graduating in 1992, Lee began her career as a theater play assistant director, making her debut with the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in 1991. She remained active on stage throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1970 (1970-01-23): Birth of Lee Jung-eun (actress) — Acclaimed South Korean actress known for roles in Parasite, Okja, and The Attorney.
2. 1987: 1987 Milestone — Her decision was influenced by the student protests she witnessed during high school and the tragic death of activist Lee Han-yeol in 1987.
3. 1988: 1988 Milestone — She was accepted into the Department of Theater and Film at Hanyang University, class of 1988.
4. 1991: 1991 Milestone — She debuted onstage in 1991 and also played minor roles in films.
5. 1992: 1992 Milestone — After graduating in 1992, Lee began her career as a theater play assistant director, making her debut with the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in 1991.
6. 2009: 2009 Milestone — Known for her work with Bong Joon-ho, starting with the 2009 film Mother, as the voice of the pig Okja in the film Okja, she is best known internationally for her role as the housekeeper Moon-gwang in the film Parasite, which won four Academy Awards and became the first non-English language film to win the award for Best Picture.
7. 2013: 2013 Milestone — She went on to appear in acclaimed films like The Attorney (2013), A Violent Prosecutor (2015), and festival favorites such as A Girl at My Door (2014) and The Wailing (2016).
8. 2017: 2017 Milestone — Lee landed more significant roles in A Taxi Driver (2017), Miss Baek (2017), and Another Child (2018).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lee Jung-eun (actress)

True or False: “Lee Jung-eun's first professional performance was in a film role.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): She actually debuted onstage in 1991 with the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. H. M. Jones — Contemporary (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering British historian of classical antiquity, specializing in the later Roman Empire.
• Abraham Maslow — Contemporary (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering American psychologist known for the Hierarchy of Needs and self-actualization theory.
• Alan Shearer — Contemporary (Born in 1970) (1970): English football legend, record goalscorer, and respected pundit.
• Abdullah of Saudi Arabia — Shared historical date (01-23 · Died) (2015): King of Saudi Arabia, known for his role in modernizing the kingdom's governance.
• Abraham ibn Ezra — Shared historical date (01-23 · Died) (1167): Distinguished 12th-century Sephardic rabbi, philosopher, and biblical commentator.
• Albert Ayler — Historical peer (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering avant-garde jazz saxophonist known for ecstatic, spiritual improvisation.
• Alexander Kerensky — Historical peer (Died in 1970) (1970): Russian revolutionary who led the Provisional Government during the tumultuous period of 1917.
• Abby Stein — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Ah Young — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): South Korean singer and actress known for her time in the girl group Dal Shabet.
• Aaron Swartz — Historical peer (Died in 2013) (2013): Pioneering programmer, activist, and hacktivist known for RSS, Markdown, and progressive organizing.
• 1970 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1970
• January 23 (01-23) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 23

Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Jung-eun (actress)