Lee Min-jung

Quick Facts: Who was Lee Min-jung?

Subject:

Lee Min-jung

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actress known for romantic comedies and dramatic roles.

Born:

1982-02-16

Century / Era:

1982s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lee Min-jung (Korean: 이민정; born February 16, 1982) is a South Korean actress. She began her career in Jang Jin's stage play, and for a few years appeared in supporting roles on film and television. She became known after her appearance in Boys Over Flowers (2009), and landed her first lead role in family drama Smile, You (2009). Lee achieved widespread recognition for her leading role in the romantic comedy Cyrano Agency (2010). She also starred in Wonderful Radio (2012), Big (2012), Cunning Single Lady (2014), and Come Back Mister (2016).

Career & Major Achievements

In 2020, she starred and gained recognition in the KBS weekend drama, Once Again. Lee began her career in playwright/filmmaker Jang Jin's stage plays, then appeared in the Christian-themed indie Pruning the Grapevine, while doing minor roles on film and television. She became a household name in 2009 through her supporting role in the popular high school series Boys Over Flowers, which then landed her first leading role in the weekend drama Smile, You. The same year, she won the Best New Actress award at the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards for her performance in the mystery thriller White Night. Lee's breakout role was in romantic comedy Cyrano Agency in 2010, where she swept Best New Actress awards at various local award-giving bodies.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Commercials and endorsements flooded in, and Lee gained a "goddess" label in the press. One of the challenges of her next film Wonderful Radio, was to strip her of that image. She successfully carried the film, with one review praising her as "expertly swinging from girly ditz, through self-centered pop diva (with memorable temper tantrums), to serious singer-songwriter." Co-star Lee Jung-jin said her actual personality is similar to the character's - "really upbeat and outgoing." After playing a disillusioned fiancée to an ambitious fund manager in Midas, Lee returned to the romantic comedy genre in the body-swapping TV series Big written by the Hong sisters. In 2013 she starred in another rom-com series All About My Romance, about a secret relationship between two politicians of rival parties. This was followed by Cunning Single Lady in 2014, in which she played the titular character who schemes to win her ex-husband back now that he's rich and successful.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1982 (1982-02-16): Birth of Lee Min-jung — Acclaimed South Korean actress known for romantic comedies and dramatic roles.
2. 2009: 2009 Milestone — She became known after her appearance in Boys Over Flowers (2009), and landed her first lead role in family drama Smile, You (2009).
3. 2010: 2010 Milestone — Lee achieved widespread recognition for her leading role in the romantic comedy Cyrano Agency (2010).
4. 2012: 2012 Milestone — She also starred in Wonderful Radio (2012), Big (2012), Cunning Single Lady (2014), and Come Back Mister (2016).
5. 2013: 2013 Milestone — In 2013 she starred in another rom-com series All About My Romance, about a secret relationship between two politicians of rival parties.
6. 2014: 2014 Milestone — This was followed by Cunning Single Lady in 2014, in which she played the titular character who schemes to win her ex-husband back now that he's rich and successful.
7. 2020: 2020 Milestone — In 2020, she starred and gained recognition in the KBS weekend drama, Once Again.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lee Min-jung

True or False: “Lee Min-jung's maternal grandfather, Park No-soo, was a painter who influenced the modern traditional Korean ink painting movement.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Park No-soo led the first generation of modern traditional Korean ink painters following Korea's liberation from Japanese rule.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• 1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Contemporary (Born in 1982) (1982): The 44th annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
• Ahmed al-Sharaa — Contemporary (Born in 1982) (1982): Syrian statesman who led opposition forces, establishing the Syrian Salvation Government.
• Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr — Contemporary (Died in 1982) (1982): Iraqi military officer and politician who served as the fourth President of Iraq (1968–1979).
• Afonso III of Portugal — Shared historical date (02-16 · Died) (1279): King of Portugal who completed the Reconquista and established the modern state structure.
• Ahmad Tejan Kabbah — Shared historical date (02-16 · Born) (1932): Sierra Leonean politician and economist, served as the third President of Sierra Leone.
• Ahn Si-ha — Historical peer (Born in 1982) (1982): South Korean actress known for roles in dramas like Moonshine and All of Us Are Dead.
• Ai Otsuka — Historical peer (Born in 1982) (1982): Japanese singer-songwriter known for hits like "Sakuranbo" and her extensive career.
• Aage Bohr — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• Abdurrahman Wahid — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Influential Indonesian politician, Islamic leader, and fourth President known for pluralism.
• Alex Chilton — Historical peer (Died in 2010) (2010): American musician, best known for his vocal work with The Box Tops and Big Star.
• 1982 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1982
• February 16 (02-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 16

Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Min-jung