Lee Sung-min (actor)
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Lee Sung-min (; born October 15, 1968) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his supporting roles on television and film, notably his much-praised performances in '' Golden Time'' (2012), '' Broken'' (2014), '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' (2014), and '' Reborn Rich'' (2022). Lee has also received critical acclaim for his role in the 2018 espionage film '' The Spy Gone North'', for which he won Best Actor at the
55th Baeksang Arts Awards The 55th Baeksang Arts Awards () ceremony, organised by ''Ilgan Sports'' and JTBC Plus, took place on May 1, 2019, at Hall D, COEX Convention & Exhibition Center, COEX, Seoul, beginning at 9:00 p.m. Time in South Korea, KST. It was hosted by Shi ...
.


Early life

Lee Sung-min was born on October 15, 1968, in a small village called Dochon, located between
Bonghwa Bonghwa County (''Bonghwa-gun'') is a county in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It lies inland, at the northern edge of the province, and borders Gangwon province to the north. To the east it is bounded by Yeongyang and Uljin counties, ...
and
Yeongju Yeongju (; ) is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It has an area of 668.84 km2 and a population of 113,930 people according to the 2008 census. The city borders Bonghwa county to the east, Danyang County of North Chungcheong Pr ...
in
North Gyeongsang Province North Gyeongsang Province (, ) is a province in eastern South Korea, and with an area of , it is the largest province in the Korean peninsula. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, and remaine ...
. During his early years, he frequently moved with his father, who relocated to various places across the country, including
Seoul Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...
and Gangwon. It wasn't until the fourth grade of elementary school that he finally returned to his hometown of Bonghwa, where he completed his middle and high school education. Afterwards, he left his hometown once again to pursue higher education, enrolling as a university student in Daegu Science University. Reflecting on his past, it was his father who paved the way for his acting journey. His father, known for his kindness and warmth, greatly enjoyed watching movies with his son. Although Bonghwa lacked movie theaters at the time, Yeongju had two cinemas. As valued customers, his father and he would eagerly rush to the theater ahead of others whenever a new film was released. "I still vividly recall the movies like 'King Kong' and 'Bruce Lee' that I watched with my father during my childhood." Actor Lee Sungmin shared, "When I was young, my father always ensured that I watched 'masterpiece films' on weekends. Thanks to him, I had the opportunity to experience cultural elements that were challenging for a rural child to access at such a young age. Perhaps, by absorbing movies through my father from an early stage, it enabled me to pursue an acting career and consistently engage in emotive performances."


Career


Early career in Daegu

He began his theater journey by becoming a part of the theater company 'Audience and Stage' (객석과 무대) in Daegu. During this period, he had the opportunity to collaborate with esteemed colleagues, including directors Choi Joo-hwan and Jeong Cheol-won, both of whom had previously held positions as directors at the Daegu Municipal Theater Company. Reflecting on those days, Lee Seong-min remarked, "Each troupe at the time pursued distinct directions, identities, and showcased different works." While actively engaging in theater activities in Daegu, he swiftly gained recognition for his talent. Whenever he participated in various theater festivals, he effortlessly swept away awards. At the age of 24, he received the New Actor Award at the Daegu Theater Festival, an honor that can only be bestowed once in a lifetime. Additionally, he achieved the highest honor among actors in the Daegu region by winning the Daegu Theater Festival Best Actor Awards. Lee Sung-min crossed paths with his future wife in the play B Unso. She was the choreographer for the play B Unso. Their encounter marked a turning point in his life, as Lee Sung-min went on to achieve remarkable milestones. In 2001, Lee joined the play produced by theater group Yeoninmudae (연인무대의) titled 'Pig Hunt'. The play received the top prize (Presidential Award) at the 19th National Theater Festival, jointly organized by the Korea Arts and Culture Promotion Agency (Director Kim Jeong-ok) and the Korean Theater Association (Chairman Choi Jong-won). As a result, 'Pig Hunt' received a prize of 20 million won and invited to the Seoul Performing Arts Festival held in October. The director of this work, Han Jeon-gi, and the lead actor, Lee Sung-min, received the Best Director Award and the Best Acting Award, respectively.


Moving to Seoul

In 2002, despite being in his mid-thirties, Lee Sung-min made a tough decision to leave his wife and daughter in Daegu and venture alone to Seoul. Determined to pursue a career as an actor, he yearned to test and validate his skills in Daehangno, the heart of the Korean theater industry. Encouragement from those around him further pushed him to embark on the journey to Seoul. At that time, Lee made a promise to his family, saying, "I will give it a try for three years, and if things don't work out, I will return." However, Lee faced financial hardships in Seoul. To make ends meet, he would make a weekly trip back to
Daegu Daegu (; ), formerly spelled Taegu and officially Daegu Metropolitan City (), is a city in southeastern South Korea. It is the third-largest urban agglomeration in South Korea after Seoul and Busan; the fourth-largest List of provincial-level ci ...
and rely on a modest allowance of 100,000 won provided by his wife. After deducting expenses for transportation, card charges, and cigarettes, there was barely anything left. In order to save on transportation costs, Lee Sung-min would undertake a two-hour walk from Dongdaegu Station to his home in Shijidong. He carried taxi and chauffeur service phone numbers in his pocket, always prepared to quickly earn money in case of unemployment. In Daehangno, Lee joined theater group Chaimu. As a member of the theater group Chaimu, Lee appeared in plays such as ''B Unso'', ''Pig Hunt!'' and ''There?'' In 2003, ''Pig Hunt'', a satirical play, was performed from 19 to 26 October at the small theater of the Dongsoong Art Center. He also ventured into the film industry. He started with minor roles, and in 2004, he made an appearance as 'Loan Shark Gangster 1' in the film '' Father And Son: The Story Of Mencius'', which led to a growing recognition of his talent in supporting roles. During his time working on the film in 2004, alongside
Son Hyun-joo Son Hyun-joo (; born June 24, 1965) is a South Korean actor. Since 1991, he has starred in numerous television series and films, such as '' First Love'' (1996), '' My Rosy Life'' (2005), '' My Too Perfect Sons'' (2009), '' Secretly, Greatly'' ( ...
, he was recommended for a role in a television drama. Actor Ahn Jae-wook, who was the lead in the drama '' Oh Feel Young,'' even adjusted his schedule to accommodate Lee Sung-min's theater commitments. The promised three years with his family swiftly passed, yet Lee Sung-min had not been able to shake off his unknown status. After much contemplation, he made the bold decision to remain in Seoul, determined to set a precedent and prove that actors hailing from provincial backgrounds like himself could achieve nationwide recognition for their acting prowess. With the unwavering support of his family, they too relocated to Seoul. However, despite their collective efforts, financial hardships persisted. Lee Sung-min vividly recalls how, during that time, he could only afford to buy cheap pork belly priced at around 1,000 won, which left his daughter disappointed. These challenging memories from the past continue to resonate with him to this day.


Career breakthrough, from supporting roles to lead roles

Lee Sung-min made appearances in several films, including ''
Marathon The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of kilometres ( 26 mi 385 yd), usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There ...
'' in 2005, but a considerable portion of his scenes were edited out. In 2006, he took on the role of Seong-cheol, a humane gangster, in the film ''Silk Shoes'', which was collaboratively produced by actors from the theater group 'Chaimu.' Although it garnered attention in the film industry, it didn't achieve widespread recognition among the general public due to the limitations of being a low-budget film. However, Lee gradually made a breakthrough as a supporting actor in various films and dramas. He portrayed characters such as Choi Man-ri, a scholar in '' The King's Letters'', a pop columnist in '' Go Go 70s'', and a chief prosecutor in '' The Unjust''. Lee Sung-min seized the opportunity to appear in director
Park Chan-wook Park Chan-wook (; born 23 August 1963) is a Koreans, South Korean film director, screenwriter, Film producer, producer, and former film critic. He is considered one of the most prominent filmmakers of Cinema of South Korea, South Korean cinema a ...
's film ''
Thirst Thirst is the craving for potable fluids, resulting in the basic instinct of animals to drink. It is an essential mechanism involved in fluid balance. It arises from a lack of fluids or an increase in the concentration of certain osmolites, suc ...
''.
Song Kang-ho Song Kang-ho (; born January 17, 1967) is a South Korean actor. Regarded as one of the most influential actors in Korean cinema, he has appeared in critically acclaimed films across various genres. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, i ...
, with whom he had previously worked in '' Secret Sunshine'', personally recommended him. However, during the audition, when asked if he was close to Song Kang-ho, Lee Sung-min honestly replied, "We're not close." As a result, it seems that Lee Sung-min didn't pass the audition, possibly due to his response. Later, when Song Kang-ho asked him, "Why didn't you say we were close?" Lee Sung-min reportedly responded, "To be honest, we weren't really close." Regardless, Lee Sung-min gradually began to leave a lasting impression on viewers. It all started with his portrayal of restaurant manager Seol Joon-seok in the 2010 MBC drama ''
Pasta Pasta (, ; ) is a type of food typically made from an Leavening agent, unleavened dough of wheat flour mixed with water or Eggs as food, eggs, and formed into sheets or other shapes, then cooked by boiling or baking. Pasta was originally on ...
''. Despite his character's unlikeable traits, Lee delivered a captivating performance as a villain who was hard to hate. Following that, he continued to appear in dramas such as '' Gloria'', '' Listen to My Heart'', films like '' A Little Pond'', and plays such as ''The Story of Nulgeun the Thief''. In 2011, he took on the role of Dr. Go Jae-hak, a doctor consumed by ambition, in the KBS 2TV drama ''
Brain The brain is an organ (biology), organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. It consists of nervous tissue and is typically located in the head (cephalization), usually near organs for ...
''. In the MBC drama '' My Princess'', he portrayed President Lee Young-chan, who pretended to be just and righteous while focusing on his own interests. Lee Sung-min, who had often portrayed unlikeable villain roles, successfully underwent an image transformation in the 2012 MBC drama '' The King 2 Hearts''. At that time, he received praise for his portrayal of Lee Jae-kang, the older brother of the protagonist (
Lee Seung-gi Lee Seung-gi (; born January 13, 1987) is a South Korean singer, actor, host, lyricist and entertainer. As one of the highest paid celebrities of South Korea and recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including a Golden Disc Awards, Golde ...
) and the former Crown Prince. A few months later, in the MBC drama '' Golden Time'', he took on the role of trauma specialist Choi In-hyuk. In terms of significance, he was practically on par with the lead role. It was reported that Lee Sung-min lost 7 kg of weight in order to showcase a different style of acting from his previous role as Go Jae-hak in the drama ''
Brain The brain is an organ (biology), organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. It consists of nervous tissue and is typically located in the head (cephalization), usually near organs for ...
'', where he also played a doctor. Furthermore, there is a famous anecdote that during filming, he dragged around worn-out sneakers to capture the essence of an emergency room doctor. In the end, Lee Sung-min was confidently recognized as a lead actor by the public.


Career peak and critical acclaim

In the movie ''
The Attorney ''The Attorney'' () is a 2013 South Korean legal drama film directed and co-written by Yang Woo-suk in his directorial debut. With 11,375,954 tickets sold and a revenue of , ''The Attorney'' became the 15th-best-selling Korean film of all time a ...
'', released at the end of 2013, he played the role of Lee Yoon-taek, a high school classmate of the protagonist Song Woo-seok, who is a lawyer (played by
Song Kang-ho Song Kang-ho (; born January 17, 1967) is a South Korean actor. Regarded as one of the most influential actors in Korean cinema, he has appeared in critically acclaimed films across various genres. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, i ...
) and a journalist for a social department at a newspaper in the Busan area. Although it was a supporting role, he had a considerable presence. In the MBC drama ''Miss Korea'', which aired around the same time, he portrayed Jung Sun-saeng, a former gangster who is chased by debt from Kim Hyung-jun (played by
Lee Sun-kyun Lee Sun-kyun (; March 2, 1975 – December 27, 2023) was a South Korean actor. Internationally, he was best known for his role in Bong Joon-ho's Academy Award–winning film ''Parasite'' (2019), for which he won a Screen Actors Guild Award alo ...
), the CEO of a cosmetics company. Lee Sung-min reached the peak of his acting career with his appearance in the 2014 tvN drama '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life''. Guided by director Kim Won-seok and writer Jung Yoon-jung, this 20-episode series was an adaptation of
Yoon Tae-ho Yoon Tae-ho (; born September 27, 1969) is a South Korean manhwa artist. He is best known for writing the webtoons ''Moss'' and '' Misaeng''. Early life Yoon Tae-ho grew up in a rural town of Gwangju, South Jeolla Province. He came from a poor ...
's
webtoon Webtoons () are a type of episodic digital comics that originated in South Korea usually meant to be read on smartphones A smartphone is a mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities. It typically has a touchscreen interface, allo ...
series of the same title. The title itself, translated from Go terminology, conveys the idea of "an incomplete life," capturing the essence of not yet being fully alive. Notably, ''Misaeng'', made history as the first Korean drama to be filmed on location in
Jordan Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. Jordan is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and Israel and the occupied Palestinian ter ...
, with actors Im Si-wan and Lee Sung-min shooting the series's prologue in
Amman Amman ( , ; , ) is the capital and the largest city of Jordan, and the country's economic, political, and cultural center. With a population of four million as of 2021, Amman is Jordan's primate city and is the largest city in the Levant ...
,
Petra Petra (; "Rock"), originally known to its inhabitants as Raqmu (Nabataean Aramaic, Nabataean: or , *''Raqēmō''), is an ancient city and archaeological site in southern Jordan. Famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit systems, P ...
, and
Wadi Rum Wadi Rum ( ''Wādī Ramm'', also ''Wādī al-Ramm''), known also as the Valley of the Moon ( ''Wādī al-Qamar''), is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan, near the border with Saudi Arabia and about to the east of ...
. The drama became a cultural phenomenon, achieving remarkable viewership ratings for a cable network program in South Korea. Lee received accolades from viewers for his authentic portrayal of the working professional Oh Sang-sik. His exceptional performance earned him the Best Actor award in the TV category at the
52nd Baeksang Arts Awards The 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards () ceremony was held on June 3, 2016, at Grand Peace Hall, Kyung Hee University in Seoul. It was broadcast live on JTBC and was hosted by Shin Dong-yup and Bae Suzy. Organised by ''Ilgan Sports ''Ilgan Sports'' ...
and the Best Actor award for the same role at the 2016
tvN10 Awards tvN10 Awards is an award ceremony for excellence in television in South Korea, organized by tvN, one of the networks under the umbrella of CJ E&M. It was held at the KINTEX in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province and was emceed by Kang Ho-do ...
. In early 2016, Lee Sung-min made his debut as a lead actor in the film '' Sori: Voice From the Heart'' in which he portrayed the character Hae-gwan. Hae-gwan is a robot who possesses the ability to remember every sound in the world. The storyline revolves around his relentless search for his daughter, whom he lost in Daegu in 2003. Joining the cast as Hae-gwan's wife is a fellow member of Chaimu, Jeon Hye-jin. Lee's performance in the film received praise from
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...
. They commended his portrayal, stating, "''Sori'' is at its strongest when it focuses on Hae-Kwan and the surprising onion-layer style discoveries he makes about the daughter he was sure he knew (played by Chae Soo-bin in flashback). Lee balances regret and disbelief effortlessly, and makes the man’s sadness real without tipping into histrionics." Two years later, he made his first appearance on the red carpet at the
Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Film Festival (; ), until 2003 called the International Film Festival ('), is the most prestigious film festival in the world. Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around ...
with the movie '' The Spy Gone North'' (2018). His acting receiving critical acclaim and winning multiple awards, including the Buil Film Awards, Grand Bell Awards, Korean Film Critics Association Awards, and Director's Cut Awards for Best Actor. His accolades continued in 2019 when he won the Best Actor award in the film category at the
55th Baeksang Arts Awards The 55th Baeksang Arts Awards () ceremony, organised by ''Ilgan Sports'' and JTBC Plus, took place on May 1, 2019, at Hall D, COEX Convention & Exhibition Center, COEX, Seoul, beginning at 9:00 p.m. Time in South Korea, KST. It was hosted by Shi ...
. In 2020, his performance in the movie '' The Man Standing Next'' once again received high praise. Portraying former President
Park Chung-hee Park Chung Hee (; ; November14, 1917October26, 1979) was a South Korean politician and army officer who served as the third president of South Korea from 1962 after he seized power in the May 16 coup of 1961 until Assassination of Park Chung ...
, Lee Sung-min defied initial skepticism with his masterful portrayal, incorporating a distinct
Gyeongsang dialect The Gyeongsang dialects (), also known as Southeastern Korean (), are dialects of the Korean language from the historical region of Gyeongsang Province. Today, that region is divided into Daegu, Busan, Ulsan, North Gyeongsang Province, and Sou ...
and delivering a powerful performance. Notably, his portrayal of the character Kang Won-jun in the Netflix drama ''
Juvenile Justice Juvenile court, also known as young offender's court or children's court, is a tribunal having special authority to pass judgements for crimes committed by children who have not attained the age of majority. In most modern legal systems, chi ...
'' (released in early 2022) showcased his versatility and garnered acclaim for his ability to depict a complex character torn between his harshness towards his family and the guilt he feels towards his son while simultaneously investigating his own potential downfall. At the end of 2022, Lee Sung-min's performance as Jin Yang-chul in '' Reborn Rich'' received praise. He flawlessly embodied the role of a first-generation chaebol who tenaciously clings to his position in the company, creating a profound emotional impact on viewers. By skillfully incorporating his
Gyeongsang dialect The Gyeongsang dialects (), also known as Southeastern Korean (), are dialects of the Korean language from the historical region of Gyeongsang Province. Today, that region is divided into Daegu, Busan, Ulsan, North Gyeongsang Province, and Sou ...
and adopting a raspy voice that suits older characters, he brought vibrancy to the character. Lee Sung-min's commanding presence in the drama sparked discussions among viewers about the noticeable decrease in immersion after Jin Yang-chul's departure. In 2023, he received the Best Actor award in the TV category at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards.


Personal life

Lee Sung-min's wife was a contemporary dance major who also served as the director overseeing the choreography for one of his performances in Daegu. Initially, Lee didn't have a favorable impression of her because she came across as strict and serious. However, after the show, Lee began receiving frequent phone calls and mistakenly believed they were regarding the choreography fee. With no money to spare, he attempted to at least share a meal, but to his surprise, his future wife took the initiative and contacted him first, asking if it would be alright to go out together. This marked the beginning of their dating journey. Eventually, they got married with a modest cost of only 2 million won. Shortly after tying the knot, they immediately had a daughter, and Lee had to shoulder the responsibility of supporting their livelihood solely through his income.


Filmography


Film


Short film


Television series


Stage


Musical


Theater


Accolades


Awards and nominations


State honors


Listicles


Notes


References


External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Sung-min 1968 births Male actors from North Gyeongsang Province South Korean male stage actors South Korean male television actors South Korean male web series actors South Korean male film actors Living people 21st-century South Korean male actors