Lee Byung-hoon (born October 14, 1944) is a South Korean

television director A television director is in charge of the activities involved in making a television program or section of a program. They are generally responsible for decisions about the editorial content and creative style of a program, and ensuring the pro ...

and

producer Producer or producers may refer to: Occupations *Producer (agriculture), a farm operator *A stakeholder of economic production *Film producer, supervises the making of films **Executive producer, contributes to a film's budget and usually does not ...

. Lee is best known for directing

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 ...

s, notably ''500 Years of Joseon'' (1983-1990), '' Hur Jun'' (1999) and '' Dae Jang Geum'' (2003).

Career

Lee Byung-hoon began working for broadcasting network MBC in 1970, and made his solo directorial debut in 1974. In 1983, he and writer Shin Bong-seung created the landmark eight-year-long series ''500 Years of Joseon'', which shifted the genre of historical/

s (called ''sageuk'' in

Korean Korean may refer to: People and culture * Koreans, ethnic group originating in the Korean Peninsula * Korean cuisine * Korean culture * Korean language **Korean alphabet, known as Hangul or Chosŏn'gŭl **Korean dialects and the Jeju language ** ...

) from monotonous historical chronicles into the interpretation of bonafide records like the

Annals of the Joseon Dynasty The ''Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty'' (also known as the ''Annals of the Joseon Dynasty'' or the ''True Record of the Joseon Dynasty''; ko, 조선왕조실록 and ) are the annual records of Joseon, the last royal house to rule K ...

. His follow-up, Kim Jung-soo-penned contemporary drama ''My Mother's Sea'' (1993) was also popular, with a peak viewership rating of 51.6%. But in 1999 Lee revolutionized the ''sageuk'' genre with '' Hur Jun'', the first Korean period drama to focus on a "commoner" historical figure instead of royalty and powerful nobles. Jun Kwang-ryul played

Heo Jun Heo Jun (허준, 1539 – 9 October 1615) was a Korean physician. He was the royal chief physician of '' Naeuiwon'' during the reign of King Seonjo and King Gwanghae of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Biography Heo Jun was born in 1539 to an affl ...

, a court physician who wrote ''

Dongui Bogam The ''Dongui Bogam'' (동의보감 東醫寶鑑) is a Korean book compiled by the royal physician, Heo Jun (1539 – 1615) and was first published in 1613 during the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. The title literally translates as "A Precious Mir ...

'', one of the pillars of

traditional Korean medicine Traditional Korean medicine (known in North Korea as Koryo medicine) refers to the forms of traditional medicine practiced in Korea. History Korean medicine traditions originated in ancient and prehistoric times and can be traced back as far a ...

. ''Hur Jun'' reached record-breaking viewership ratings of 64% (fourth highest rated

Korean drama Korean dramas (; RR: ''Han-guk deurama''), more popularly known as K-dramas, are television series in the Korean language, made in South Korea. They are popular worldwide, especially in Asia, partially due to the spread of Korean popular cultu ...

of all time). This was followed by '' Sangdo'' in 2001, an adaptation of the Choi In-ho novel about legendary merchant Im Sang-ok, and Lee again cast Jun in the leading role. Journalists coined the term "fusion ''sageuk''" for Lee's attempts to revitalize the genre, transforming the previous lack of accessibility and narrative cliches of period dramas with its viewership of older, male armchair historians, into something more appealing to an increasingly younger demographic of viewers. ''Sageuk'' further rose to prominence in 2003 with '' Dae Jang Geum'' (also known as ''Jewel in the Palace''), whose protagonist Jang Geum first trains in Korean royal court cuisine before becoming Joseon's first female court physician. Domestically, ''Dae Jang Geum'' was a big hit, receiving a peak viewership rating of 57.8% (tenth highest rated Korean drama of all time). Produced for , it was later exported to 91 countries and became one of the major proponents of the Korean Wave, earning worldwide, and turning actress

Lee Young-ae Lee Young-ae (born January 31, 1971) is a South Korean actress. She is known for her appearances in the Korean historical drama ''Dae Jang Geum'' (2003), and as a revenge seeking single mother in Park Chan-wook's crime thriller film ''Sympathy ...

into a superstar in China and an icon for Korean culture. Lee continued directing hit period dramas in succeeding years. ''

Ballad of Seodong ''Ballad of Seodong'' () is a South Korean television series starring Jo Hyun-jae, Lee Bo-young, and Ryu Jin. It aired on SBS from September 5, 2005 to March 21, 2006 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 55 episodes. The period drama is bas ...

'' (2005) is about King Mu of

Baekje Baekje or Paekche (, ) was a Korean kingdom located in southwestern Korea from 18 BC to 660 AD. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla. Baekje was founded by Onjo of Baekje, Onjo, the third son of Gogurye ...

who falls for Princess Seonhwa of the rival kingdom

Silla Silla or Shilla (57 BCE – 935 CE) ( , Old Korean: Syera, Old Japanese: Siraki2) was a Korean kingdom located on the southern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula. Silla, along with Baekje and Goguryeo, formed the Three Kingdoms of ...

(played by Jo Hyun-jae and Lee Bo-young). '' Yi San'' (2007) revolved around the love story of King Jeongjo and his concubine

Ui-bin Seong Royal Noble Consort Ui of the Changnyeong Seong clan (Hangul: 의빈 성씨, Hanja: 宜嬪成氏; 6 August 1753 – 4 November 1786) was a beloved concubine of King Jeongjo of Joseon and the mother of Crown Prince Munhyo. Biography Early lif ...

(played by

Lee Seo-jin Lee Seo-jin (born January 30, 1971) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for the reality shows '' Three Meals a Day'' and ''Grandpa Over Flowers''. As an actor, he came to prominence with his leading roles in television series '' Damo'' (2 ...

and

Han Ji-min Han Ji-min (born November 5, 1982) is a South Korean actress. After minor roles in '' All In'' and ''Dae Jang Geum'', Han had her breakout role in revenge series ''Resurrection'' in 2005. This was followed by leading roles in period dramas ''Capi ...

). '' Dong Yi'' (2010) is about Suk-bin Choe (played by

Han Hyo-joo Han Hyo-joo (Korean: 한효주; born February 22, 1987) is a South Korean film and television actress, model and singer. She is best known for her leading roles in television series such as ''Heaven & Earth'' (2007), ''Iljimae'' (2008), '' Brill ...

) who rises from being a palace water maid ('' musuri'') to the concubine of King Sukjong. '' The King's Doctor'' (2012) marked theater/film actor Cho Seung-woo's first TV series, in the role of a horse

veterinarian A veterinarian (vet), also known as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary physician, is a medical professional who practices veterinary medicine. They manage a wide range of health conditions and injuries in non-human animals. Along with this, vet ...

who becomes a court physician. Lee has worked with writer Choi Wan-kyu on ''Hur Jun'' and ''Sangdo'', writer Kim Yi-young on ''Yi San'', ''Dong Yi'' and ''The King's Doctor'', and writer Kim Young-hyun on ''Dae Jang Geum'' and ''Ballad of Seodong''. In 2016, Lee collaborated with

screenwriter A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. ...

for the 3rd time with MBC's 55th-founding anniversary drama, ''

The Flower in Prison ''Flowers of the Prison'' () is a 2016 South Korean drama television series starring Jin Se-yeon, Go Soo, Kim Mi-sook, Jung Joon-ho, Park Joo-mi, Yoon Joo-hee, , Jun Kwang-ryul and Choi Tae-joon. It is MBC's special project drama to comm ...

''. The drama, about a girl who was born in prison and later becomes an advocate for the poor and unfairly accused people, cast Jin Se-yeon in lead role. The 22-years-old actress has become Lee's youngest female protagonist to date.

Filmography

As director

*''

'' (MBC, 2016) *'' The King's Doctor'' (MBC, 2012-2013) *'' Dong Yi'' (MBC, 2010) *'' Yi San'' (MBC, 2007-2008) *''

'' (SBS, 2005-2006) *'' Dae Jang Geum'' (MBC, 2003-2004) *'' Sangdo'' (MBC, 2001-2002) *'' Hur Jun'' (MBC, 1999-2000) *''The Third Man'' (MBC, 1997) *''My Mother's Sea'' (MBC, 1993) *''500 Years of Joseon: Daewongun'' (MBC, 1990) *''500 Years of Joseon: Pa Mun'' (MBC, 1989) *''500 Years of Joseon: The Memoirs of

Lady Hyegyeong Lady Hyegyeong of the Pungsan Hong clan (혜경궁 풍산 홍씨, 惠慶宮豊山洪氏; 6 August 1735 – 13 January 1816), also known as Queen Heongyeong (헌경왕후, 獻敬王后), was a Korean writer and Crown Princess during the Jos ...

'' (MBC, 1988-1989) *''500 Years of Joseon: Queen Inhyeon'' (MBC, 1988) *''500 Years of Joseon: Namhan Mountain Castle'' (MBC, 1986-1987) *''500 Years of Joseon: The Hoechun Gate'' (MBC, 1986) *''500 Years of Joseon: The Imjin War'' (MBC, 1985-1986) *''500 Years of Joseon: The Wind Orchid'' (MBC, 1985) *''500 Years of Joseon: The Ume Tree in the Midst of the Snow'' (MBC, 1984-1985) *''500 Years of Joseon: Tree With Deep Roots'' (MBC, 1983) *''500 Years of Joseon: The King of Chudong Palace'' (MBC, 1983) *''Namgang Lee Seung-hun'' (MBC, 1982) *제3교실 (MBC, 1975) *113 수사본부 (MBC, 1974)

As producer

*''The Royal Road'' (MBC, 1998) *''Jealousy'' (MBC, 1992)

Book

*''Sewora Kingdom of Dreams: Director Lee Byung-hoon's Drama Story'' (2009)

Awards

*2015 10th

Seoul International Drama Awards Seoul International Drama Awards (), simply known as SDA, is an annual award ceremony based in Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the Capital city, capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, ...

: 10th Anniversary Hallyu Achievement Award *2010 3rd

Korea Drama Awards The Korea Drama Awards () is an awards ceremony for excellence in television in South Korea. It was established in 2007, and is held annually in October in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province as the official main event of the annual Korea Drama Fes ...

: Achievement Award ('' Dong Yi'') *2008 3rd 좋은 방송 프로그램상 ('' Yi San'') *2008 44th

Baeksang Arts Awards The Baeksang Arts Awards (), also known as the Paeksang Arts Awards, are awards for excellence in film, television and theatre in South Korea. The awards were first introduced in 1965 by Chang Key-young, the founder of the Hankook Ilbo newspap ...

: Best TV Director ('' Yi San'') *2006 Ok-gwan Order of Cultural Merit *2005 6th 방송인상 방송제작 부문 개인 수상 (Yeouido Club) *2004 자랑스러운 한양언론인상 (한양언론인회) *2004 40th

: Best TV Director ('' Dae Jang Geum'') *2002 Korean Broadcasters Association's Broadcasting Awards: Recipient, Drama category (''Sangdo'') *2000 Korean Producers & Directors' Association: Producer of the Year ('' Hur Jun'') *2000 Congressional Pop Culture Media Award ('' Hur Jun'') *2000 Korean Broadcasters Association's Broadcasting Awards: Excellence Award for Best Drama ('' Hur Jun'') *1986 Korea Broadcasting Awards: Best Producer, TV category (''The Imjin War'') *1982 Minister's Award from the Korean Culture and Information Service (''Namgang Lee Seung-hun'') *1975 Broadcasting Ethics Award (제3교실)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Byung-hoon Living people 1944 births South Korean film directors South Korean television directors Seoul National University alumni People from South Chungcheong Province