Biography of Lee Byung-hun

Lee Byung-hun is a versatile and internationally known-South Korean actor. He made his acting debut in 1991 in the television drama ‘Asphalt My Hometown’ and gained widespread recognition with his role in the hit drama ‘Beautiful Days’ in 2001. The actor has starred in box office hits like ‘Joint Security Area’ (2000), ‘The Good, the Bad, the Weird’ (2008), ‘Masquerade’ (2012), ‘Inside Men’ (2015), and ‘Master’ (2016). He played Front Man in the most celebrated Netflix series, ‘Squid Game’.

Lee Byung-hun is considered one of the most successful and popular actors in South Korea and has also gained international recognition for his work. He has appeared in numerous television dramas and movies in South Korea. He has also starred in Hollywood movies such as ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’, ‘Red 2’, and ‘The Magnificent Seven’. At the annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Lee was the first South Korean actor to present an Oscar.

Early Life and Education

Lee Byung-hun was born in 1970 in Seoul, South Korea. His father is a successful businessman and was born and brought up in a wealthy family. He graduated from Hanyang University with a major in French literature. He had no desire to pursue acting, but his mother’s friend made the suggestion. In 1991, Byung-hun auditioned for the KBS television network and was selected.

Career and Achievements

Lee Byung-hun is one of the most successful and acclaimed actors in South Korea. He has had a long and distinguished career in film, television, and theatre, and has won numerous awards and accolades for his work. He made his television debut in 1991 with ‘Asphalt My Hometown’. He appeared in the action romance drama ‘Asphalt Man’ in 1995 and in the romance drama ‘The Harmonium in My Memory’ in 1999. His career got cemented with the box office action thriller ‘Joint Security Area’ released in 2000. The movie received numerous awards and won the Best Film award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

Lee Byung-hun starred in the romance drama series ‘Beautiful Days’ and ‘Bungee Jumping of The Own’. As a result of the rise in acting offers, he rose to fame and popularity. His other notable credits include, ‘A Bittersweet Life’ (2005), ‘I Come With the Rain’ (2009), ‘Iris’ (2009) and ‘I Saw the Devil’ (2009).

Byung-hun starred in the Western action movie ‘Good, the Bad, and the Weird’ as Park Chang-yi. Kim Jee-woon directed the film, which grossed 4.43 crore US dollars. He played the lead villain role, co-starring Song Kang-ho and Yoon Je-moon. His exceptional acting earned him universal acclaim. He made his Hollywood debut in ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’, an American military science fiction film. The movie was directed by Stephen Sommers and starred Channing Tatum and Sienna Miller.

In the 2012 costume drama ‘Masquerade’, Lee Byung-hun received popularity for his dual role. The film was a commercial success, ranking seventh in Korean film history with over 10 million viewers. The film earned him the title of ’emerging star’ in Hollywood for his character Storm Shadow and its sequel, ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’.

In 2013, Lee Byung-hun starred in the American action comedy film ‘RED 2’, directed by Dean Parisot. He shared an acting platform with Hollywood stars like Bruce Wills, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Helen Mirren, and John Malkovich. The movie was a megahit with an international reception of 148.1 per cent worldwide.

For a short time, there were publicized controversies surrounding Byung-hun’s acting career. In 2015, he acted as T-1000 in ‘Terminator Genisys’ and in the martial arts romance drama ‘Memories of the Sword’. He starred in the political crime thriller ‘Inside Man’, an action crime thriller, in 2015. Lee Byung-hun portrayed the character Ahn Sang-goo, and the film was the highest-grossing R-rated film in Korean history. He was acclaimed as the film’s title star, thus earning the Best Actor award at multiple award ceremonies.

Byung-hun starred in the American crime thriller ‘Misconduct’, directed by Shintaro Shimosawa. The story revolves around a resentful young widow who gathers seven shooters of various origins to defend her community from the private army of a destructive industrialist. He co-starred with actors like Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke.

In 2016, Lee Byung-hun appeared in the movies like ‘Master’ and the mystery drama ‘Single Rider’. He joined the United Talent Agency, a renowned Hollywood agency, in March 2017. The actor starred in the 2017 film ‘The Fortress’ and the 2018 movie ‘Keys to My Heart’.

Byung-hun made his comeback through the romance melodrama ‘Mr. Sunshine’ in 2018. The movie was acclaimed for its deep storytelling and awareness of history. In 2019 and 2020, he appeared in the action thriller movies ‘Ashfall’ and ‘The Man Standing Next’. Both films were box office smashes, earning him the role of lead actor. He starred in the action thriller ‘Emergency Declaration’ in 2021.

In the widely celebrated megahit drama ‘Squid Game’, Lee Byung-hun starred as the Front Man. The series is based on capitalism and economic disparity in society. In 2022, he appeared in the television series ‘Our Blues’ directed by Kim Kyu-tae, Lee Jeong-muk, and KIM Yanghee.

Achievements

As an actor, Lee Byung-hun has achieved many milestones and earned numerous awards throughout his career. Here are some of his notable achievements:

• Byung-hun has won several prestigious awards for his acting in Korean films and TV dramas, including the Grand Bell Award, the Blue Dragon Film Award, and the Baeksang Arts Award.
• In 2003, he became the first Korean actor to be honored with the Best Actor award at the Japan Academy Prize for his role in the film ‘Joint Security Area’.
• Byung-hun also received international recognition for his acting, including being named one of the ’25 Greatest Asian Actors of All Time’ by CNN in 2010.
• He has donated to several charities and organizations, including the Korean Childhood Leukemia Foundation, UNICEF, and the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation. In 2015, he also donated 100 million won to help support victims of the Nepal earthquake.
• He is the first Korean actor to present at the Academy Awards in 2013 and the first Korean actor to be inducted as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2015.
• Lee Byung-hun has also been involved in promoting Korean culture and the arts. In 2013, he donated 50 million won to the Korean National Museum of Contemporary Art to help support young artists.
• He has starred in several Hollywood films, including ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’, ‘Red 2’, and ‘Terminator Genisys’, have brought him international acclaim and expanded his global audience.
• In addition to these awards, Lee Byung-hun has also received recognition for his contributions to the entertainment industry, including being named a ‘Cultural Ambassador of Korea’ by the South Korean government in 2006 and receiving the Order of Cultural Merit in 2012. He has also been inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, making him the first South Korean actor to receive this honour.

Military Life

In 2008, Byung-hun enlisted in the South Korean military for his mandatory military service, where he served as a member of the Special Warfare Command for 21 months.

Personal Life

In 2014, he was involved in a blackmail scandal with two women who were trying to extort money from him. He later apologized publicly and settled the matter in court. Despite the scandal, he remains one of the most popular and respected actors in South Korea and has continued to work in both Korean and International films.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

The net worth of Lee Byung-hun’s estimated net worth is around $20 million USD. He owns a luxurious house in the affluent neighbourhood of Hannam-dong in Seoul, South Korea. he is known for his stylish and sophisticated fashion sense. He often wears designer clothes and accessories from top brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada.

As a busy actor, Byung-hun frequently travels for work to film locations around the world. He has also been known to take vacations with his family to various destinations.

He maintains a healthy lifestyle and is known to exercise regularly to stay in shape. He is also careful about his diet and follows a balanced and healthy eating plan.

Overall, Lee Byung-hun lifestyle is in line with that of a successful and wealthy actor, which includes a comfortable home, a fashionable wardrobe, frequent travel, and a focus on health and fitness.

Awards

Lee Byung-hun has won numerous awards throughout his career for his performances in both Korean and international films. Here are some of his major awards:

• A-Awards 2022
  A-Awards – Impression – ‘Our Blues’ (2022)
• 20th Director’s Cut Awards 2022
  Best Actor in the film – ‘The Man Standing Next’ (2022)
  
• 15th Asian Film Awards 2021
  Asian Film Excellence Award (2021)
• Asia Society Game Changer 2021
  Entertainment Game Changer Award (2021)
  
• 15th University Film Festival of Korea 2020
  Best Actor – ‘The Man Standing Next’ (2020)
  
• 40th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2020
  Best Actor – ‘The Man Standing Next’ (2020)
  
• 10th SACF Artists of the Year Awards 2020
  Outstanding Artist for a Film – ‘The Man Standing Next’ (2020)
  
• 14th Asian Film Awards 2020
  Best Actor – ‘The Man Standing Next’ (2020)
  
• 29th Buil Film Awards 2020
  Best Actor – ‘The Man Standing Next’ (2020)
  
• 56th Baeksang Arts Awards 2020
  Best Actor (Film) – ‘The Man Standing Next’ (2020)
  
• 25th Chunsa Film Arts Awards 2020
  Best Actor – ‘Ashfall’ (2020)
• 56th Grand Bell Awards 2020
  Best Actor – ‘Ashfall’ (2020)
• 55th Baeksang Arts Awards 2019
  Best Actor (TV) – ‘Mr. Sunshine’ (2019)
  
• 38th Golden Cinema Film Festival 2018
  Acting Grand Prize – ‘Keys to the Heart’ (2018)
• 3rd Asia Artist Awards 2018
  Grand Prize (Daesang) – ‘Mr. Sunshine’ (2018)
  Artist of the Year
  Korea Tourism Appreciation Award
  Fabulous Award
• 2nd The Seoul Awards 2018
  Best Actor (Drama) – ‘Mr. Sunshine’ (2018)
  
• 6th APAN Star Awards 2018
  Grand Prize (Daesang) – ‘Mr. Sunshine’ (2018)
• 5th APAN Star Awards 2016
  Hallyu Global Star Award – Lee Byung-hun
• 53rd Grand Bell Awards 2016
  Best Actor – ‘Inside Men’ (2016)
• 3rd Korean Film Producers Association Awards 2016
  Best Actor – ‘Inside Men’ (2016)
  
• 36th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2016
  Best Actor – ‘Inside Men’ (2016)
• 4th Marie Claire Asia Star Awards 2016
  Actor of the Year – ‘Inside Men’ (2016)
  
• 25th Buil Film Awards 2016
  Best Actor – ‘Inside Men’ (2016)
  
• 16th Director’s Cut Awards 2016
  Best Actor – ‘Inside Men’ (2016)
• 15th New York Asian Film Festival 2016
  Star Asia Award – ‘Inside Men’ (2016)
• 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards 2016
  Best Actor in Film – ‘Inside Men’ (2016)
  
• 5th Marie Claire Film Festival 2016
  Pioneer Award – ‘Inside Men’ (2016)
  
• 10th Asian Film Awards 2016
  Best Actor – ‘Inside Men’ (2016)
  
• Republic of Korea Top Star Award 2015
  Top Star Award – ‘Inside Men’ (2015)
  
• 34th Blue Dragon Film Awards 2013
  Popular Star Award – ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation, RED 2’ (2013)
• 7th Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2013
  Best Actor – ‘Masquerade’ (2013)
  
• 9th Huading Awards 2013
  Best Foreign Actor – Lee Byung-hun (2013)
  
• Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2012
  Achievement Award (2012)
  
• A-Awards 2012
  Style Award (2012)
• CineAsia Awards 2012
  Star of the Year (2012)
• 13th Busan Film Critics Awards 2012
  Best Actor – ‘Masquerade’ (2012)
• 49th Grand Bell Awards 2012
  Popularity Award – ‘Masquerade’ (2012)
  Best Actor – ‘Masquerade’ (2012)
  
• 47th Baeksang Arts Awards 2011
  Grand Prize (Daesang) for Film – ‘I Saw the Devil’ (2011)
• 3rd Style Icon Awards 2010
  Style Icon of the Year (2010)
  
• Asia-Pacific Producers’ Network Awards 2010
  APN Award (2010)
  
• China Music Awards and Asian Influential Awards 2010
  Best Asian Influential International Actor (2010)
  
• Green Planet Movie Awards 2010
  10 Best International Actors of the Decade (Asia) (2010)
  
• Asia Model Awards 2010
  Asia Star Awards (2010)
• Tokyo Drama Awards 2010
  Best Actor in Asia – ‘Iris’ (2010)
• 5th Seoul International Drama Awards 2010
  Outstanding Korean Actor – ‘Iris’ (2010)
• 46th Baeksang Arts Awards 2010
  Best Actor (TV) – ‘Iris’ (2010)
  
• 1st Seoul Arts & Culture Award 2010
  Best TV Actor – ‘Iris’ (2010)
• 21st Japan Jewelry Wearer Awards 2010
  Special Award (2010)
• National Assembly by the Mass Culture & Media Research Group 2009
  Special Commendation – ‘Iris’ (2009)
  
• KBS Drama Awards 2009
  Grand Prize (Daesang) – ‘Iris’ (2009)
  Netizen Award, Actor – ‘Iris’ (2009)
  Best Couple Award (with Kim Tae-hee) – ‘Iris’ (2009)
  
• 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards 2009
  Popular Star Award – ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’ (2009)
  
• 14th Chunsa Film Art Awards 2006
  Korean Cultural Award (2006)
• 42nd Baeksang Arts Awards 2006
  Best Actor (Film) – ‘A Bittersweet Life’ (2006)
  
• 13th Chunsa Film Art Awards 2005
  Best Actor – ‘A Bittersweet Life’ (2005)
  
• 25th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2005
  Best Actor – ‘A Bittersweet Life’ (2005)
• 30th Korea Broadcasting Association Awards 2003
  Best Actor – ‘All In’ (2003)
• 39th Baeksang Arts Awards 2003
  Best Actor (TV) – ‘All In’ (2003)
  
• SBS Drama Awards 2003
  Top 10 Stars Award – ‘All In’ (2003)
  Grand Prize (Daesang) – ‘All In’ (2003)
• 2nd Korea Visual Arts Festival 2001
  Photo Genic Award in TV – ‘Beautiful Days’ (2001)
• SBS Drama Awards 2001
  i-Star Award – ‘Beautiful Days’ (2001)
  Top 10 Stars Award – ‘Beautiful Days’ (2001)
  
• 22nd Blue Dragon Film Awards 2001
  Popular Star Award – ‘Bungee Jumping of Their Own’ (2001)
• 38th Grand Bell Awards 2001
  Netizen’s Popularity Award – ‘Joint Security Area’, ‘Bungee Jumping of Their Own’ (2001)
  
• 24th Golden Cinematography Awards 2001
  Most Popular Actor – ‘Joint Security Area’ (2001)
• 1st Busan Film Critics Awards 2000
  Best Actor – ‘Joint Security Area’ (2000)
• SBS Drama Awards 2000
  Big Star Award (2000)
  
• 34th Grand Bell Awards 1996
  Best New Actor – ‘Runaway’ (1996)
  
• 19th Golden Cinematography Awards 1996
  Best New Actor – ‘Runaway’ (1996)
• 32nd Baeksang Arts Awards 1996
  Best Actor (TV) – ‘Son Of Wind’ (1996)
  
• KBS Drama Awards 1995
  Excellence Award, Actor – ‘Son Of Wind’ (1995)
  
• 4th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards 1995
  Best Actor in TV – ‘Son Of Wind’ (1995)
  
• 4th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards 1995
  Best Actor in TV – ‘Son Of Wind’ (1995)
  
• 6th Chunsa Film Art Awards 1995
  Best New Actor – ‘Who Drives Me Crazy’ (1995)
• KBS Drama Awards 1993
  Excellence Award, Actor – ‘Tomorrow Love’ (1993)
  
• KBS Drama Awards 1993
  Best New Actor – ‘Day of Sunshine’ (1993)
  

Interesting Facts About Lee Byung-hun

1. When Lee Byung-hun started acting, he had no prior training or experience.
2. He is a certified Hollywood star.
3. He was the first Korean actor to present an award at the Oscars.
4. He was the first Korean actor to present at the Academy Awards in 2013.
5. Lee Byung-hun has starred in several Hollywood films.
6. He made his comeback through the romance melodrama ‘Mr. Sunshine’ in 2018.

FAQs

1. How old is Lee Byung-hun?
   As of 2023, Lee Byung-hun 53 years old.
2. Is Lee Byung-hun married?
   Lee Byung-hun married actress Lee Min-jung in 2013, and they have one child together.
3. What is Lee Byung-hun Instagram ID?
   ‘@byunghun0712’ is his Instagram ID.
4. Is Lee Byung-hun in Squid Game?
   Lee Byung-hun is the Front Man in ‘Squid Game’.