Lee Yo-won

Quick Facts: Who was Lee Yo-won?

Subject:

Lee Yo-won

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actress known for historical roles like Queen Seondeok.

Born:

1980-04-09

Century / Era:

1980s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lee Yo-won (Korean: 이요원; born April 9, 1980) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Queen Seondeok in the eponymous hit period drama. Lee Yo-won was a sophomore in high school when she won a modeling contest and first appeared as a model in the November 1997 issue of fashion magazine Figaro. This led to commercials, then to minor roles in television series and movies. Though she started getting recognized by the public after the box-office success of anarchic comedy Attack the Gas Station (1999), her first notable acting role was in controversial TV drama Blue Mist (2001), where she played a young woman in her 20s who becomes romantically involved with a married man in his 40s.

Career & Major Achievements

Critical darling Take Care of My Cat (2001) followed shortly, for which she received several newcomer awards. In a later interview with Elle Korea in 2009, she cited the film as her most memorable work. But after starring in a number of big-screen star vehicles that weren't received well by audiences and critics, Lee felt mentally and physically exhausted. After finishing the historical drama Daemang (lit. "The Great Ambition", 2002), she made the surprising announcement that she was temporarily retiring from the entertainment scene.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Lee made a successful acting comeback in 2005, as the lead actress in period drama Fashion 70's, which she chose because she wanted to work with TV director Lee Jae-gyu (who had previously directed Damo), and because it was not a typical love story, but depicted a woman's success in life and career. A supporting role followed in romantic comedy When Romance Meets Destiny. In 2007, Lee played the titular character in hit medical drama/romance Surgeon Bong Dal-hee, though her next series, melodrama Cruel Love was less successful in the ratings. She then switched to more serious fare as part of the ensemble cast of May 18, a film about the Gwangju massacre and one of the highest grossing Korean films of all time. Tired of playing fragile characters, Lee portrayed Queen Seondeok of Silla in the massively popular period drama Queen Seondeok (2009).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1980 (1980-04-09): Birth of Lee Yo-won — Acclaimed South Korean actress known for historical roles like Queen Seondeok.
2. 1997: 1997 Milestone — Lee Yo-won was a sophomore in high school when she won a modeling contest and first appeared as a model in the November 1997 issue of fashion magazine Figaro.
3. 1999: 1999 Milestone — Though she started getting recognized by the public after the box-office success of anarchic comedy Attack the Gas Station (1999), her first notable acting role was in controversial TV drama Blue Mist (2001), where she played a young woman in her 20s who becomes romantically involved with a married man in his 40s.
4. 2001: 2001 Milestone — Critical darling Take Care of My Cat (2001) followed shortly, for which she received several newcomer awards.
5. 2002: 2002 Milestone — "The Great Ambition", 2002), she made the surprising announcement that she was temporarily retiring from the entertainment scene.
6. 2005: 2005 Milestone — Lee made a successful acting comeback in 2005, as the lead actress in period drama Fashion 70's, which she chose because she wanted to work with TV director Lee Jae-gyu (who had previously directed Damo), and because it was not a typical love story, but depicted a woman's success in life and career.
7. 2007: 2007 Milestone — In 2007, Lee played the titular character in hit medical drama/romance Surgeon Bong Dal-hee, though her next series, melodrama Cruel Love was less successful in the ratings.
8. 2009: 2009 Milestone — In a later interview with Elle Korea in 2009, she cited the film as her most memorable work.

Notable Quotes by Lee Yo-won

“I wanted to work with TV director Lee Jae-gyu, and because it was not a typical love story, but depicted a woman's success in life and career.” (2005)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lee Yo-won

True or False: “Lee Yo-won first gained public recognition solely through her role in the film Attack the Gas Station (1999).”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While *Attack the Gas Station* helped build recognition, her very first appearance was as a model for Figaro magazine in November 1997.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Yo-won