Lee Je-hoon

Lee in September 2023

Born July 4, 1984 (age 39)

Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Education Korea National University of Arts – School of

Drama

 Actor
Occupations
 director

 screenwriter

Years active 2007–present

Agent Company on

Korean name

Hangul 이제훈

Hanja 李帝勳

Revised Romanization I Je-hun

 McCune–Reischauer I Chehun

Lee Je-hoon (Korean: 이제훈; born July 4, 1984) is a South Korean actor. He started
his career in indie films. After his breakthrough in acclaimed independent film Bleak
Night (2011), he went on to appear in commercial films like The Front
Line (2011), Architecture 101 (2012), Anarchist from Colony (2017), I Can
Speak (2017), and television series Signal (2016), Where Stars Land (2018), Taxi
Driver (2021–2023), and Move to Heaven (2021).
Career[edit]
Beginnings[edit]
When Lee Je-hoon realized that he wanted to go into acting, he dropped out of the
Biotechnology major at Korea University and transferred to the School of Drama
at Korea National University of Arts.[1] From 2006 to 2010, Lee appeared in more than 18
student shorts and indie films,[2] notably the queer coming-of-age romance Just
Friends?.[3][4] He also appeared as an extra in a number of commercial films, including
erotic thriller The Servant and romantic comedy Finding Mr. Destiny.[5][6]
2011–2012: Breakthrough[edit]
Then Lee had his breakthrough in 2011. He received rave reviews for his performances
as a manipulative alpha-male in the haunting indie Bleak Night,[7][8][9] and as a morphine-
addicted squad leader in big-budget war film The Front Line.[10][11][12] He gained
mainstream popularity as a shy college student pining for his first love in box-office
hit Architecture 101,[13][14] and though the television series Fashion King was poorly
received, his role as a struggling young chaebol heir in Korea's fashion industry further
showcased his versatility.[15][13]
Lee next starred opposite acclaimed veteran actor, Han Suk-kyu in the comedy-
drama My Paparotti, which focuses on the special relationship between a high school
gang member who dreams of becoming a singer like the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti,
and the music teacher who helps him pursue his dream.[16][17] He next starred in Ghost
Sweepers,[18] dubbed the character Jack Frost for the Korean release of 3D animated
film Rise of the Guardians,[19] and featured in the crime thriller An Ethics Lesson.[20]
2012–present: Enlistment and return to acting[edit]
 Lee in 2016
For his comeback project after enlistment, Lee chose Secret Door, a period
drama about Crown Prince Sado who was controversially executed through death by
starvation by his father King Yeongjo; the series reunited him with Han Suk-kyu.[21][22] This
was followed by the Jo Sung-hee-directed film Phantom Detective, a modern retelling of
the eponymous folk hero Hong Gil-dong as a private detective in the 1990s.[23]
In 2016, Lee starred in tvN's fantasy crime drama Signal together with Cho Jin-
woong and Kim Hye-soo, which was critically and commercially successful.[24][25]
In 2017, Lee starred in the fantasy romance drama Tomorrow, With You opposite Shin
Min-a, portraying a CEO of a real estate company who has the ability to travel through
time.[26][27] He then starred in the biographical period drama film Anarchist from
Colony directed by Lee Joon-ik, playing the character of Park Yeol, a self-proclaimed
anarchist and revolutionary activist during the Colonial Era of Japan.[28][29] The same year
Lee starred in the film I Can Speak as a civil servant who also tutors English.[30]
In 2018, Lee starred in the airport-themed melodrama Where Stars
Land alongside Chae Soo-bin.[31] Lee and co-star Chae Soo-bin were appointed as
honorary ambassadors of Incheon International Airport.[32]
In 2019, Lee filmed the travel reality programme Traveller along with Ryu Jun-
yeol where the two stars enjoy a backpacking holiday in Cuba.[33] The same year, he was
cast in the film Tomb Robbery.[34]
In 2020, Lee starred in the dystopian action thriller film Time to Hunt which earned him a
nomination for Best Actor at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.[35][36][37] He also starred in the
caper story film Collectors.[38]
In 2021, Lee joined the SBS drama Taxi Driver,[39] his small screen comeback after last
making a special appearance in Hot Stove League in 2020. Later in May, Lee appeared
in the Netflix series Move to Heaven. Lee founded "Company on" in June 2021, after
the contract with his former agency expired.[40]
In 2022, Lee organized a fan meeting which was held at Central World Live in Bangkok,
Thailand on June 22 and 23.[41] Later in August, it was announced that Lee will hold
another fan meeting at the Centennial Memorial Hall of Yonsei University concert hall
in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.[42] Later in October, Lee made a comeback to the small screen
with a special appearance in the SBS drama One Dollar Lawyer.[43]
In 2023, Lee starred in the second season of the SBS drama Taxi Driver.[citation needed]
Personal life[edit]
Lee enlisted on October 25, 2012, for his mandatory military service as a member of
the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency riot police.[44][45] He was discharged on July 24,
2014.[46][47]
Philanthropy[edit]
On March 6, 2022, Lee donated 100 million won to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief
Association to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk
and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.[48]
In April 2023, Lee donated a total of 1 million won from the quiz on You Quiz on the
Block to the Korea Film Academy (KAFA) Development Fund.[49]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

The Pit and the

2009 Young Sang-tae
Pendulum

The Influence Sunjong Internet film [50]

The Servant Hanbok maker Bit part

2010
Finding Mr. Destiny Woo-hyung Bit part

Ghost Kim Se-young Segment: "Tarot 3. The Unseen"

2011 Bleak Night Ki-tae Independent film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Captain Shin Il-

The Front Line
young

young Lee Seung-

Architecture 101
min

2012
Ghost Sweepers Suk-hyun

Rise of the Guardians Jack Frost (voice) Korean dub

An Ethics Lesson Kim Jung-hoon

2013
My Paparotti Lee Jang-ho

2016 Phantom Detective Hong Gil-dong

Anarchist from Colony Park Yeol

2017
I Can Speak Park Min-jae

Time to Hunt Joon-seok Netflix film

2020
Collectors Kang Dong-goo

2023 Noryang: Deadly Sea young Gwang-hae Special appearance [51]

2024 Escape Lim Gyu-nam [52]

 Year Title Role Notes Ref.

TBA Big Deal Choi In-beom [53]

Short film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

They Live by Night Private Shin

2007
Placebo

Ah Man
2008
Holy Vacation Kang Young-woon

Just Friends? Seok-i

2009 Language Life Kyung-min

When Winter Comes

Maldives Express Eun-seok

A Dog Came Into My Son/Twenty-something

2010
Flash man

Miss Communication Male book designer

2013 After Being Late...Love — Assistant director only

[54][55][56]
2021 Unframed – Blue Director, Screenwriter[note 1] Watcha original film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.

happiness

Television series[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

2010 Three Sisters Kim Eun-gook [57]

2012 Fashion King Jung Jae-hyuk

2014 Secret Door Yi Sun

2016 Signal Park Hae-young

Tomorrow, With
2017 Yoo So-joon
You

2018 Where Stars Land Lee Soo-yeon

2020 Hot Stove League Lee Je-hoon Cameo (Episode 16) [58]

2021–
Taxi Driver Kim Do-gi Season 1–2 [39]

present

Top Star Lee Je-

2022 One Dollar Lawyer Cameo (episode 6) [43]

hoon

Chief Detective
2024 Park Young-han [59]

1958

Web series[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Move to
Jo Sang-goo [60]

Heaven
2021

Floor Kang-ho Audio series [61][62]

2023 Big Bet Jang-jun Cameo (Part 2) [63][64]

Documentary[edit]

Year Title Role Ref.

Narrato
2018 Earth: One Amazing Day [65]

Narrato
2019 DMZ – Prologue [66]

Another Record: Lee Je-

2022 Himself [67]

hoon

Television show[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Cast
Traveler with Ryu Jun-yeol [33]

member
2019

1919-2019, Memories Narrator Episode: 7 of Ahn Jung-geun [68]

2021 SBS Special – Immortal Age Narrator Episode: Frozen Man [69]

[70]
Your Wish List, Change the Future of Narrator Episode: October 2050, a letter from
Year Title Role Notes Ref.

the Earth! the future

Hosting[edit]

Year Title Notes Ref.

with Shin Dong-yup and Shin Hye-

2018 2018 SBS Drama Awards [71]

sun

Music video appearances[edit]

Year Song title Artist Ref.

2012 "I Choose To Love You" Hyolyn [citation needed]

2015 "Home" Brown Eyed Soul [citation needed]

2019 "With You" Crush [citation needed]

Code Kunst, Simon Dominic, and Choi Jung-hoon

2020 "Reconnect" [72]

of Jannabi

"Only" LeeHi [73][74]

2021
"I'll Never Know You" (
Urban Zakapa [75]

모르겠어)

Discography[edit]
Title Year Album

"Love Like This" (사랑은 이렇게)[76] 2012 Fashion King OST

"The Person That Makes You Happy" (행복을 주는
사람) 2013 My Paparotti OST
(Duet with Han Suk-kyu)

Goodwill ambassador[edit]
 2016 Honorary Ambassador of Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA)
by Korean Film Council[77]
 2016 Honorary Ambassador of Korea National Police Agency's Human
Rights[78]
 2016 Honorary Ambassador of Oxfam Korea[79]
 2017 Honorary Ambassador of Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism.
[80]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.

Amnesty International
2017 Special Award I Can Speak Won [81]

Awards

Top Excellence
APAN Star Awards 2022 Award, Actor in a Taxi Driver Nominated [82]

Miniseries

Asian Academy Creative Best Actor in

Won [83][84][85]

Awards Leading Role

2021 Move to Heaven

Asia Contents Awards Best Actor Won [86][87][88]

Best Supporting
Asian Film Awards 2012 The Front Line Nominated
Actor
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.

Best New Actor –

2012 Architecture 101 Nominated [89]

Film
Baeksang Arts Awards

2020 Best Actor – Film Time to Hunt Nominated [90]

Blue Dragon Film Awards 2011 Best New Actor Bleak Night Won [91]

Blue Dragon Series Awards 2022 Best Leading Actor Move to Heaven Nominated [92]

Bucheon International
2012 Fantasia Award Architecture 101 Won [93]

Fantastic Film Festival

Best Dressed Lee Je-hoon Won

2011 [94]

Best New Actor The Front Line Won

Buil Film Awards

Anarchist from
2017 Best Actor Nominated
Colony

2017 Asia Star Award Lee Je-hoon Won [95]

Busan International Film

Festival with Marie
Claire Asia Star Awards
2023 Asia Star Award Lee Je-hoon Won [96]

Plaque for Rising Bleak Night

CGV Arthouse Opening
2014 Star in Independent Won [97]

Ceremony
Film

[98]
Cine 21 Awards 2011 Best New Actor Won
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.

CINE ICON: KT&G Actor / ICON OF THE

2016 Phantom Detective Won
Actress Event YEAR

Golden Cinema Film Popularity Award,

2018 I Can Speak Won [99]

Festival Actor

The Front Line Nominated

2011 Best New Actor
Bleak Night Won [100]

Grand Bell Awards

Anarchist from
2017 Best Actor Nominated
Colony

Jecheon International Music Best Actor in a

2014 My Paparotti Won [101]

& Film Festival Music Film

KAFA 10th Anniversary Actor Special Merit

2016 Bleak Night Won [102]

Award Award

Taxi
Actor of The Year
Kino Lights Awards 2021 Driver and Move to 3rd place [103]

(Domestic)
Heaven

[104]
KOFRA Film Awards 2012 Best New Actor Bleak Night Won
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.

Korean Association of Film

2011 The Front Line Won [105]

Critics Awards

Korean Culture and

2011 Bleak Night Won [106]

Entertainment Awards

Korea Film Actors

2016 Popular Star Award Phantom Detective Won [107]

Association

Anarchist from
Korea Youth Film Festival 2017 Grand Prize Won [108]

Colony

Mnet 20's Choice Awards 2012 20's Male Movie Star Architecture 101 Won [109]

Anarchist from
Resistance Film Festival in
2018 Best Actor Colony, I Can Won [110]

Korea
Speak

SBS Drama Awards Top Excellence

Award, Actor in a Won
Serial Drama
2014 Secret Door [111]

Top 10 Stars Won

2018 Top Excellence

Award, Actor in a
Where Stars Land Won [112]

Monday-Tuesday
Drama

[113]
Best Couple Award Lee Je- Nominated
hoon with Chae Soo-
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.

bin
Where Stars Land

Grand Prize
Nominated [114]

(Daesang)

2021 Taxi Driver

Top Excellence
Award, Actor in a Won [115]

Miniseries - Fantasy

Grand Prize
Won [116]

(Daesang)

2023 Taxi Driver 2

Top Excellence
Award, Actor in a Nominated [117]

Seasonal Drama

Seoul International Drama Outstanding Korean

2021 Taxi Driver Nominated [118][119]

Awards Actor

Best Actor Nominated

tvN10 Awards 2016 Signal

PD's Choice Award,
Won [120]

Drama

State honors[edit]
 Name of country, year given, and name of honor

Country Organization Year Honor Or Award Ref.

National Tax Service[note 2] 2019 Presidential Commendation [122]

Korean Popular Culture and Arts Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
2021 [126]

Awards[note 3] Commendation
South
Korea
Newsis K-EXPO Cultural Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
2023 [128]

Awards[note 4] Award

3rd Korea Good Donor Minister of Public Administration and

2023 [129]

Award[note 5] Security Commendation