Lee Sang-woo
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Lee Sang-woo (born February 13, 1980) is a South Korean actor. He rose to fame in the 2007
television drama In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super- ...
''
First Wives' Club ''First Wives' Club'' () is a 2007 South Korean drama series starring Kim Hye-sun, Kim Hae-sook, Oh Hyun-kyung, Ahn Nae-sang, Lee Joon-hyuk and Son Hyun-joo. The weekend drama aired on SBS from September 29, 2007 to October 5, 2008 on Saturday ...
'', and has since played leading roles on '' The Road Home'' (2009), '' Don't Hesitate'' (2009), ''
Life Is Beautiful ''Life Is Beautiful'' ( it, La vita è bella, ) is a 1997 Italian comedy drama film directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, who co-wrote the film with Vincenzo Cerami. Benigni plays Guido Orefice, a Jewish Italian bookshop owner, who emplo ...
'' (2010), and '' Feast of the Gods'' (2012).


Career

Lee Sang-woo launched his acting career in 2005, starring in a ''
Drama City Drama City (''Deurama Siti'', 드라마 시티) is the KBS to broadcast via KBS2TV in a collection of usually single episode short dramas, shown weekly. Each episode is a different story, and the cast changes every week. 1984's "Drama Game" ...
'' episode and a minor role in the
television drama In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super- ...
'' 18 vs. 29''. This was followed by more supporting roles on television, including his big screen debut in '' Almost Love'', a
romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typica ...
film headlined by
Kwon Sang-woo Kwon Sang-woo (in Korean: 권상우, ''Kweon Sang-u''; born August 5, 1976) is a South Korean actor. He rose to stardom in 2003 with the romantic comedy film ''My Tutor Friend'' and the melodrama series ''Stairway to Heaven''. Career Kwon Sang ...
and
Kim Ha-neul Kim Ha-neul (; born February 21, 1978) is a South Korean actress. After starting her career as a model, she rose to fame by starring in romantic-comedy films ''My Tutor Friend'' (2003) and ''Too Beautiful to Lie'' (2004) and the action-comedy f ...
. During this time, he also starred as one of the three leading actors of the independent film ''Don't Look Back'' (2006), which was the closing film of that year's
Jeonju International Film Festival Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF, Korean: 전주국제영화제, Hanja: 全州國際映畵祭) is an Asian film festival. It was launched in 2000 as a non-competitive film festival with partial competition. It introduces independent a ...
, and won a critic's prize at the
Locarno International Film Festival The Locarno Film Festival is an annual film festival, held every August in Locarno, Switzerland. Founded in 1946, the festival screens films in various competitive and non-competitive sections, including feature-length narrative, documentary, ...
. Lee began his rise to fame with a supporting role in ''
First Wives' Club ''First Wives' Club'' () is a 2007 South Korean drama series starring Kim Hye-sun, Kim Hae-sook, Oh Hyun-kyung, Ahn Nae-sang, Lee Joon-hyuk and Son Hyun-joo. The weekend drama aired on SBS from September 29, 2007 to October 5, 2008 on Saturday ...
'', a popular drama which aired from 2007 to 2008 with a peak viewership rating of 41.3%. For his performance, he received a New Star Award at the SBS Drama Awards. It was not until 2009 that Lee was cast in his first mainstream leading role, in '' The Road Home'', followed soon after by another daily drama '' Don't Hesitate''. In the same year, he also appeared as one of the leading actors in '' Searching for the Elephant'', an erotic-
psychological thriller Psychological thriller is a genre combining the thriller and psychological fiction genres. It is commonly used to describe literature or films that deal with psychological narratives in a thriller or thrilling setting. In terms of context and c ...
about three thirty-something men struggling with
schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Major symptoms include hallucinations (typically hearing voices), delusions, and disorganized thinking. Other symptoms include social wit ...
,
sex addiction According to proponents of the concept, sexual addiction, also known as sex addiction, is a state characterized by compulsive participation or engagement in sexual activity, particularly sexual intercourse, despite negative consequences. The c ...
and infidelity. In 2010, Lee starred with
Song Chang-eui Song Chang-eui (born January 24, 1979) is a South Korean actor. Though better known as a musical theatre actor, notably in '' Hedwig and the Angry Inch'' and ''Gwanghwamun Love Song'', Song has also starred in television dramas such as ''The Sc ...
in ''
Life Is Beautiful ''Life Is Beautiful'' ( it, La vita è bella, ) is a 1997 Italian comedy drama film directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, who co-wrote the film with Vincenzo Cerami. Benigni plays Guido Orefice, a Jewish Italian bookshop owner, who emplo ...
'' as a gay couple. The drama is one of the few Korean dramas about an openly
gay ''Gay'' is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term originally meant 'carefree', 'cheerful', or 'bright and showy'. While scant usage referring to male homosexuality dates to the late 1 ...
couple in Korean society, which have conservative views on sexuality. Despite the controversy, the show was successful in the ratings, and Lee would later work again with renowned screenwriter
Kim Soo-hyun Kim Soo-hyun (; born February 16, 1988) is a South Korean actor. One of the highest-paid actors in South Korea, his accolades include four Baeksang Arts Awards, two Grand Bell Awards and one Blue Dragon Film Award. From 2012 to 2016 and in ...
on '' A Thousand Days' Promise'' (2011) and '' Childless Comfort'' (2012). After a supporting role in ''Believe in Love'' (also known as ''My Love, My Family'', 2011), Lee was once again cast in the leading role in '' Feast of the Gods'' (2012). He later won the Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama at the MBC Drama Awards for ''Feast of the Gods'' and his supporting role in the
period drama A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romances, adventure films, and swas ...
''
Horse Doctor ''The King's Doctor'' (; lit. ''Horse Doctor'') is a 2012 South Korean television series depicting Baek Gwang-hyeon (1625–1697), Joseon Dynasty veterinarian, starring Cho Seung-woo and Lee Yo-won. It aired on MBC from October 1, 2012 to Mar ...
''. In 2013, Lee joined the ensemble cast of ''
Goddess of Marriage ''Goddess of Marriage'' () is a 2013 South Korean romantic comedy-drama series starring Nam Sang-mi, Kim Ji-hoon, Lee Sang-woo, Lee Tae-ran, Kim Jung-tae, Jo Min-su, Kwon Hae-hyo, Jang Young-nam and Jang Hyun-sung. It premiered on SBS on June 2 ...
'', followed by the adultery drama '' One Warm Word''. Unlike his previous calm and quiet roles, in 2014 he was cast as the leading man in '' Glorious Day'', a peculiar character which Lee said he looked forward to playing since it most resembles his real-life personality. Lee then starred in two weekend dramas, ''
All About My Mom ''All About My Mom'' () is a 2015 South Korean television series starring Eugene and Lee Sang-woo. It aired on KBS2 from August 15, 2015, to February 14, 2016, every Saturday and Sunday at 19:55 ( KST). Synopsis Jin-ae ( Eugene) works hard to ...
'' and '' Happy Home''. He returned to prime-time television, starring in romantic comedy drama ''
20th Century Boy and Girl ''Children of the 20th Century'' () is a 2017 South Korean television series starring Han Ye-seul and Kim Ji-suk with Lee Sang-woo, Ryu Hyun-kyung and Lee Sang-hee. The series aired on Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00 ( KST), from October 9 to N ...
''. In 2018, Lee was cast in the
KBS2 The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters. KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, a ...
weekend drama ''
Marry Me Now ''Marry Me Now'' () is a 2018 South Korean television series starring Han Ji-hye and Lee Sang-woo. The series aired on KBS2 from March 17 to September 9, 2018. Synopsis The drama centers around a balanced, multigenerational family. Park Hyo-s ...
'' as a doctor and was partnered with Han Ji-hye. In 2019, Lee starred in the legal romantic comedy drama ''
Touch Your Heart ''Touch Your Heart'' () is a 2019 South Korean television series starring Yoo In-na and Lee Dong-wook. It is based on the web novel of the same name, which was first published in 2016 on KakaoPage. It aired on tvN from February 6 to March 28, ...
'' as an elite prosecutor. In the same year, Lee made a special appearance in the KBS drama '' Mother of Mine''. Lee later appeared in the MBC drama ''
The Golden Garden ''The Golden Garden '' () is a 2019 South Korean television series starring Han Ji-hye, Lee Sang-woo, Oh Ji-eun and Lee Tae-sung. It aired four episodes every Saturday on MBC TV from 20:45 to 23:10 ( KST), from July 20 to October 26, 2019. S ...
''. In 2020, Lee made a special appearance in the drama. ''
Lovestruck in the City ''Lovestruck in the City'' () is a South Korean streaming television series starring Ji Chang-wook and Kim Ji-won. Directed by Park Shin-woo, the series depicts the real love stories of young people who live fiercely in a complex city. This sho ...
'' In 2021, Lee made a special appearance in the SBS drama '' The Penthouse: War in Life 2''. Later, Lee participated in the variety golf show ''King of Golf'' aired on
TV Chosun TV Chosun ( ko, TV조선; Hanja: 株式會社朝鮮放送; ''Jusikhoesa Joseon Bangsong''; literally "Company Korea Broadcasting"), stylised as TV CHOSUN, is a South Korean pay television network and broadcasting company, owned by the ''Chosun ...
along with
Yang Se-hyung Yang Se-hyung (born August 18, 1985), is a South Korean comedian and entertainer. He is most known for his work on the tvN sketch comedy show '' Comedy Big League'' and MBC's '' Infinite Challenge''. His younger brother, Yang Se-chan, is al ...
,
Lee Dong-gook Lee Dong-gook (, ; born 29 April 1979) is a South Korean former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is a record scorer in the K League 1, and had brief spells in Europe with Werder Bremen and Middlesbrough. He also played for ...
, and
Jang Min-ho Jang Ho-geun ( ko, 장호근, born 11 September 1977), known professionally as Jang Minho, is a South Korean singer. He competed in the TV Chosun audition show ''Mr Trot, Mr. Trot'', placing in the top sixth. He is also a model, dancer, and TV ...
, and Lee was confirmed to participate in the
TV Chosun TV Chosun ( ko, TV조선; Hanja: 株式會社朝鮮放送; ''Jusikhoesa Joseon Bangsong''; literally "Company Korea Broadcasting"), stylised as TV CHOSUN, is a South Korean pay television network and broadcasting company, owned by the ''Chosun ...
drama ''
Uncle An uncle is usually defined as a male relative who is a sibling of a parent or married to a sibling of a parent. Uncles who are related by birth are second-degree relatives. The female counterpart of an uncle is an aunt, and the reciprocal rela ...
''.


Personal life

Lee married actress
Kim So-yeon Kim So-yeon (born November 2, 1980) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for starring in a number of well-known television dramas, notably ''All About Eve'' (2000), '' Iris'' (2009), ''Prosecutor Princess'' (2010), '' Happy Home'' ( ...
in June 2017. Their romantic relationship started in 2016. The pair met on the set of MBC's weekend drama '' Happy Home''.


Filmography


Film


Television series


Web series


Television shows


Music video


Awards and nominations


References


External links


Lee Sang-woo
at HM Entertainment {{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Sang-woo Male actors from Seoul South Korean male film actors South Korean male television actors 1980 births Living people South Korean male models 21st-century South Korean male actors Korea University alumni