Lee Yoo-jin (actress)

Quick Facts: Who was Lee Yoo-jin (actress)?

Subject:

Lee Yoo-jin (actress)

Known for:

South Korean actress and TV host known for her diverse roles in dramas and variety shows.

Born:

1977-01-08

Century / Era:

1977s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lee Yoo-jin (Korean: 이유진; born 8 January 1977) is a South Korean actress and TV host. Lee began modeling as a teenager and made her entertainment debut in the Super Elite Model Contest in 1998. She switched quickly to acting, playing supporting roles in television dramas such as Beautiful Days, Girl's High School Days, Into the Sun, and Phoenix. In May 2003, Lee held a press conference and tearfully acknowledged that she was of mixed race.

Career & Major Achievements

She had previously denied the rumors that she was biracial, but fans had long suspected the truth from her 5-foot-9 stature (5 inches taller than the average Korean woman) and naturally creased eyelids. Lee told reporters that she had been afraid of being discriminated against, saying, "People ask why didn't I come out earlier and why this is such a big deal. It wouldn't be anywhere else, but Korea is still a closed society where people like to talk about the purity of the race." Lee was born to a South Korean mother and a Hispanic-American U.S. Army soldier; her parents married in 1976 while her father was stationed in Korea, but they divorced when she was 1 year old and he returned to the United States. Lee has had no contact with her birth father and she was raised solely by her single mother.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

South Korea uses a traditional Confucian-inspired family registry that requires children to be listed under their fathers' names and their fathers to be Korean—so that children with foreign fathers are in effect nonpersons under the law. Lee, for example, was registered under her grandfather's name, making her, under the law, her mother's sister. Lee said she considers herself to be entirely Korean in mentality. Lee married ice hockey coach Kim Wan-joo on 14 October 2010 at the Seoul Renaissance Hotel.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1976: 1976 Milestone — Army soldier; her parents married in 1976 while her father was stationed in Korea, but they divorced when she was 1 year old and he returned to the United States.
2. 1977 (1977-01-08): Birth of Lee Yoo-jin (actress) — South Korean actress and TV host known for her diverse roles in dramas and variety shows.
3. 1998: 1998 Milestone — Lee began modeling as a teenager and made her entertainment debut in the Super Elite Model Contest in 1998.
4. 2003: 2003 Milestone — In May 2003, Lee held a press conference and tearfully acknowledged that she was of mixed race.
5. 2010: 2010 Milestone — Lee married ice hockey coach Kim Wan-joo on 14 October 2010 at the Seoul Renaissance Hotel.

Notable Quotes by Lee Yoo-jin (actress)

“People ask why didn't I come out earlier and why this is such a big deal. It wouldn't be anywhere else, but Korea is still a closed society where people like to talk about the purity of the race.” (2003)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lee Yoo-jin (actress)

True or False: “Lee Yoo-jin was legally registered under her father's name due to South Korean family registry laws.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Due to the law requiring children to be listed under their fathers' names and fathers to be Korean, she was registered under her grandfather's name.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — Contemporary (Died in 1977) (1977): Pioneering global spread of Krishna consciousness teachings and the Hare Krishna mantra.
• A Certain Ratio — Contemporary (Born in 1977) (1977): English post-punk band known for blending funk, disco, and Latin percussion.
• Abdel Halim Hafez — Contemporary (Died in 1977) (1977): Iconic Egyptian singer and actor, known as 'The Brown-Skinned Nightingale'.
• Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani — Shared historical date (01-08 · Died) (2017): Iranian Shia cleric and politician; served as President of Iran from 1989 to 1997.
• Alexander Prokhorov — Shared historical date (01-08 · Died) (2002): Soviet physicist known for fundamental work on optics, leading to the laser and maser.
• Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani — Historical peer (Died in 1977) (1977): Emir of Qatar (1960–1972) whose reign oversaw the nation's oil boom and independence.
• Aki Hoshino — Historical peer (Born in 1977) (1977): Japanese bikini idol known for modeling, acting roles, and fashion collaborations.
• Aitana Bonmatí — Historical peer (Born in 1998) (1998): Star Spanish midfielder known for her decorated career with Barcelona and the Spain national team.
• Akira Kurosawa — Historical peer (Died in 1998) (1998): Master of Japanese cinema, known for dynamic style and epic storytelling.
• Alberto Sordi — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• 1977 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1977
• January 8 (01-08) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 8

Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Yoo-jin (actress)