Lee Yeon-hee

Quick Facts: Who was Lee Yeon-hee?

Subject:

Lee Yeon-hee

Known for:

South Korean actress known for roles in East of Eden, Phantom, and Miss Korea.

Born:

1988-01-09

Century / Era:

1988s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lee Yeon-hee (Korean: 이연희; born January 9, 1988) is a South Korean actress and model. She is most known for her work in the television series East of Eden (2008), Phantom (2012), Miss Korea (2013), The Package (2017); and in the films A Millionaire's First Love (2006), M (2007), and Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island (2015). Lee was born on January 9, 1988, in Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, South Korea. In 2002, Lee successfully signed a contract with SM after she won the category of "Best Feature" in the SM Entertainment Best Youth contest. For the contest, she acted out a monologue, singing to Dana "Until the End of the World" and also did freestyle modeling poses.

Career & Major Achievements

After she joined the company, she began intense training lessons on acting, singing, and dancing. Soon after she joined SM, Lee began her career by starring in music videos for SM artists, such as boy band TVXQ, Moon Hee-jun, Kangta, Shinhwa, and Fly to the Sky, overtaking SM artists Kim Bomi (of M.I.L.K.) and Lee Jiyeon (commonly known as CSJH The Grace's Lina) as "The SM music video girl". Though Lee had relatively steady work between modelling in magazines, commercial ads and appearing in music videos, she did not officially debut until November 2004 where she starred as the younger version of the main character in the hit historical drama Emperor of the Sea, and appeared in the latter episodes of the daily drama My Lovely Family. Lee had her first major role in television in MBC's mini-series One Fine Day (2006). In 2006, Lee starred in romance melodrama A Millionaire's First Love alongside Hyun Bin.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

She also made her singing debut for the film, singing "Do-Re-Mi" from The Sound of Music and Insa for the film's original soundtrack. Lee's innocent image in the film earned her the title of "Nation's First Love" in Korea. Lee followed this with moderately successful film, M alongside Kang Dong-won; and starred alongside So Ji-sub in the short film, U-Turn. In 2008, she starred as one of the main cast in 47th MBC Anniversary Project East of Eden. Despite the drama's success, her acting in the series received overwhelming negative criticism about her vocalization, unexpressive facial expressions, and unnatural emotional expression as problems in portraying her character.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1988 (1988-01-09): Birth of Lee Yeon-hee — South Korean actress known for roles in East of Eden, Phantom, and Miss Korea.
2. 2002: 2002 Milestone — In 2002, Lee successfully signed a contract with SM after she won the category of "Best Feature" in the SM Entertainment Best Youth contest.
3. 2004: 2004 Milestone — Though Lee had relatively steady work between modelling in magazines, commercial ads and appearing in music videos, she did not officially debut until November 2004 where she starred as the younger version of the main character in the hit historical drama Emperor of the Sea, and appeared in the latter episodes of the daily drama My Lovely Family.
4. 2006: 2006 Milestone — Lee had her first major role in television in MBC's mini-series One Fine Day (2006).
5. 2008: 2008 Milestone — She is most known for her work in the television series East of Eden (2008), Phantom (2012), Miss Korea (2013), The Package (2017); and in the films A Millionaire's First Love (2006), M (2007), and Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island (2015).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lee Yeon-hee

True or False: “Lee Yeon-hee's first major television role was in the historical drama East of Eden.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Her first major role in television was actually in MBC's mini-series One Fine Day in 2006.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Contemporary (Died in 1988) (1988): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Abdul Ghaffar Khan — Contemporary (Died in 1988) (1988): Pioneering nonviolent activist and founder of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement.
• Adele — Contemporary (Born in 1988) (1988): Iconic English singer-songwriter celebrated for powerful mezzo-soprano vocals.
• Abdullah al-Sallal — Shared historical date (01-09 · Born) (1917): Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who led the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962.
• Adrien-Marie Legendre — Shared historical date (01-09 · Died) (1833): Pioneering French mathematician known for Legendre polynomials and least squares method.
• Ahn Bo-hyun — Historical peer (Born in 1988) (1988): South Korean actor known for roles in Itaewon Class and My Name.
• Alan Paton — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Pioneering South African author and anti-apartheid activist.
• 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.
• Adam Yauch — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• 1988 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1988
• January 9 (01-09) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 9

Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Yeon-hee