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 (2003), Phoenix (2004), Lovers (2006), Yi San (2007) and Marriage Contract (2016).

Lee Seo-jin
Lee in August 2019
Born (1971-01-30) January 30, 1971 (age 53)
Other namesLee Suh-jin
Alma materNew York University
OccupationActor
Years active1999–present
AgentAntenna[2]
Korean name
Hangul
이서진
Revised RomanizationI Seo-jin
McCune–ReischauerI Sŏchin
Websitewww.seojinlee.com/xe/index.php?mid=main

Career

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Lee Seo-jin made his acting debut in 1999 in the television series House Above the Waves. After several supporting roles on TV, he rose to fame in the 2003 hit period drama Damo, followed by the also popular contemporary drama Phoenix in 2004.[3][4] Lee then landed his first big screen leading role in the 2005 action blockbuster Shadowless Sword.[5]

Lee played a vampire in the cable series Freeze (2006), a gangster in Lovers (2006),[4] and a criminal profiler in Soul (2009).[6][7] However, he became well known for his portrayals of Korean historical characters King Jeongjo of Joseon in Yi San (2007),[8] and General Gyebaek of Baekje in Gyebaek (2011).[9][10]

Other activities

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Lee comes from a family with strong ties in the financial sector, and believed to be involved in the banking, transportation and tourism industries, among others. He has a Business Management degree from the New York University Stern School of Business. In 2011, Lee joined the company Ask Veritas Assets Management, which specializes in intellectual property and real estate investment. He was appointed as managing director for the firm's second global contents division.[11][12][13]

A regular volunteer of Habitat for Humanity since 2006, he was appointed its Goodwill Ambassador for Korea in 2008.[14][15] Together with the Nippon Foundation and South Korean food franchise Genesis, Lee established the "Let's Tree Fund" in 2010 to conduct reforestation activities.[16] In 2011, Lee joined relief efforts for victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.[17] Like many celebrities, Lee also publicly protested the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2000 Ghost Taxi Gil-nam [18]
2001 I Love You Jin-sung [19]
2005 Shadowless Sword Dae Jeong-hyun, the last prince of Balhae [20]
2006 Freeze Male [21]
2009 Hon Shin-ryu [22]
2015 Love Forecast Lee Dong-jin [23]
The Shameless
2018 Intimate Strangers Joon-mo [24]
2019 Trap: Director's Cut Kang Woo-hyun [25]

Television series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1999 House Above the Waves
Wang Cho (The Boss)
2001 Her House Lee Joon-hee
New Nonstop guest
Sunday Best "A Good Man, Lee Young-woo" one act-drama
2002 Since We Met Kang Min-suk
2002–2003 Shoot for the Stars Do-hyun
2003 Damo Commander Hwangbo Yoon
2004 Phoenix Jang Sae-hoon
2006 Freeze Baek Joong-won
2006–2007 Lovers Ha Kang-jae
2007–2008 Lee San, Wind of the Palace Yi San (King Jeongjo) [26]
2008 On Air Himself cameo, ep 9
2009 Soul Shin Ryu
2011 Gyebaek Gyebaek
2014 Wonderful Days Kang Dong-seok [27]
2016 Marriage Contract Han Ji-hoon [28][29]
2019 Trap Kang Woo-hyun [30]
2021 Times Lee Jin-woo [31]
2022 Behind Every Star Matthew / Tae-oh [32]

Web series

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Year Title Role Ref.
2014 The Best Future Choi Kang-ja
2022 Dr. Park's Clinic Park Won-jung [33]
2024 High School Return of a Gangster Kim Deuk-pal [34]

Television show

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Year Title Role Ref.
2013–2015 Grandpas Over Flowers Cast member [35]
2014–2015 Three Meals a Day [36][37]
2016 Talents for Sale [38]
Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village 3
2017–2018 Youn's Kitchen
2017 Three Meals a Day: Sea Ranch
2018 Grandpas Over Flowers Returns [39]
2019 Little Forest [40]
2020 Friday Joy Package [41]
2021 Youn's Stay Cast member and vice-CEO [42]
2022 Unexpected Journey Cast member [43]
2023–2024 Jinny's Kitchen Cast member and owner of the restaurant [44][45]
2023 Jinny's Kitchen: Team Building Cast member

Music video

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Year Title Artist Ref.
1999 Forever SKY
2000 Lieblich Boohwal
2001 Goodbye Jung Jae-wook
2004 Where Are You? Yim Jae-beom for Ditto 3 compilation album

Stage

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Musical

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Musical's performance
Year Title Role Theater Date Ref.
English Korean
2000 Shakespeare's Love Method 세익스피어식 사랑메소드 Hamlet Hoam Art Hall May 12–14 [46]
2001 Daehakro Performing Arts Center Grand Theater November 17–25 [47]

Awards and nominations

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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.
APAN Star Awards 2014 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama Wonderful Days Nominated
Baeksang Arts Awards 2008 Best Actor – Television Yi San Nominated
KBS Drama Awards 2014 Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama Wonderful Days Nominated
Netizen Award, Actor Nominated
Best Couple Award with Kim Hee-sun Nominated
MBC Drama Awards 2001 Best New Actor Her House Won
2003 Excellence Award, Actor Damo Won
Popularity Award, Actor Nominated
Best Couple Award with Ha Ji-won Won
2004 Top Excellence Award, Actor Phoenix Won
Popularity Award, Actor Nominated
Best Couple Award with Lee Eun-ju Won
2007 Top Excellence Award, Actor Yi San Won
Popularity Award, Actor Nominated
Best Couple Award with Han Ji-min Nominated
2016 Grand Prize (Daesang) Marriage Contract Nominated
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama Won
Best Couple Award with Uee Nominated
SBS Drama Awards 2006 Netizen Popularity Award, Actor Lovers Won
Top 10 Stars Won
Style Icon Awards 2013 Style Icon Lee Seo-jin Won
tvN10 Awards 2016 Grand Prize (Daesang), Variety Performer Three Meals a Day: Jeongseon Village,
Grandpas Over Flowers
Won
Variety Icon Three Meals a Day: Jeongseon Village Nominated

State honors

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Name of country, year given, and name of honor
Country Or Organization Year Honor Or Award Ref.
National Tax Service[note 1] 2019 Presidential Commendation [49]

Listicles

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Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Forbes 2015 Korea Power Celebrity 40 25th [50]

Notes

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  1. ^ Honors are given at the Taxpayers' Day ceremony.[48]

References

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  1. ^ "이서진". Cinefox (씨네폭스) (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  2. ^ Jeong, Seung-min (November 1, 2023). "이서진, '안테나 이적설' 맞았다...유재석-이효리와 함께 간다[공식]" [Lee Seo-jin, 'Antenna transfer rumours' are true... He's going with Yoo Jae-seok and Lee Hyori [Official]]. MHN Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2023 – via Naver.
  3. ^ "Actor Lee Seo-jin to Hold First Fan Meeting in Japan". KBS Global. June 5, 2006. Archived from the original on July 2, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Cho, Chung-un (December 11, 2006). "HERALD INTERVIEW: Actor Lee Seo-jin seeks versatility". The Korea Herald via Hancinema. Archived from the original on November 27, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  5. ^ "무영검 (Shadowless Sword) Production Meeting Report". Twitch Film. September 27, 2005. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  6. ^ Lee Hyo-won, Han Sang-hee (August 4, 2009). "Let Horror Take Control of Summer Heat". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  7. ^ Oh, Jean (August 5, 2009). "New horror special to chill summer nights". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  8. ^ Lee, Hyo-won (September 18, 2007). "TV Falls in Love with Epic Dramas". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  9. ^ Kim, Heidi (May 2, 2011). "Actor Lee Seo-jin cast in new historical drama". 10Asia. Retrieved April 2, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ Ko, Min-seok (October 13, 2011). "Actors raise money for preservation". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ^ Kim, Da-ye (January 31, 2011). "Actor tries lot as financier". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  12. ^ "Actor Lee Seo-jin Turns Hand to Finance". The Chosun Ilbo. January 31, 2011. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  13. ^ "Actor Lee to direct asset management firm". The Korea Herald. February 6, 2011. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  14. ^ "South Korean actor Lee Seo-Jin helps build homes and awareness with Habitat for Humanity during the annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project". Habitat.org. November 16, 2009. Archived from the original on November 17, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  15. ^ Kang, Seung-hun (October 14, 2009). "Actor Lee to build houses with Jimmy Carter". 10Asia. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  16. ^ "Lets Tree Fund will Plant Trees, Educate Kids". Nippon Foundation. January 15, 2010. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  17. ^ Hong, Lucia (May 18, 2011). "Actor Lee Seo-jin makes donation for Japan earthquake relief". 10Asia. Retrieved April 2, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ "KMDb - Ghost Taxi (Gongpo Taeksi)". Korean Movie Database. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  19. ^ "KMDb - Love You (Ai reobeu yu)". Korean Movie Database. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  20. ^ "KMDb - Shadowless Sword / 無影劍 ( Mu-yeong-gum )". Korean Movie Database. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  21. ^ "KMDb - Freeze". Korean Movie Database. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  22. ^ "KMDb - Hon". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  23. ^ "KMDb - Love Forecast (o-neu-rui yeon-ae)". Korean Movie Database. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  24. ^ "Lee Seo-jin, the reluctant heartthrob: Playing a womanizer in 'Intimate Strangers' was no easy task for the actor". Korea JoongAng Daily. October 27, 2018. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  25. ^ [포인트:컷] '트랩' 이서진, 냉철한 앵커 변신 "싱크로율↑". Naver (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  26. ^ Lee Hyo-won (September 18, 2007). "TV Falls in Love with Epic Dramas". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  27. ^ an0ya (February 24, 2014). "Kim Hee Sun and Lee Seo Jin's "Wonderful Days" Off to a Successful Start with Ratings Over 30%". Soompi. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Bahk Eun-ji (December 28, 2015). "Lee Seo-jin returns to small screen". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  29. ^ Park Hyun-taek (May 11, 2016). "Triumphant return to the drama scene". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  30. ^ "OCN, 영화X드라마 컬래버 프로젝트…이서진·성동일 주연 '트랩'". Ilgan Sports (in Korean). September 14, 2018. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  31. ^ Lee Gyu-lee (February 17, 2021). "Lee Seo-jin returns with another OCN mystery series 'Times'". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  32. ^ Moon Ji-yeon (June 8, 2022). "[공식] 이서진·곽선영·서현우·주현영, '연예인 매니저로 살아남기' 촬영 돌입" [[Official] Seo-Jin Lee, Seon-Young Kwak, Hyeon-Woo Seo, and Hyun-Young Joo Begin Filming for 'Surviving as a Celebrity Manager'] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  33. ^ Lee Da-won (August 13, 2021). "내과 박원장' 이서진·라미란, 조합이 '코믹" [Director of Internal Medicine Park Lee Seo-jin and Ra Mi-ran, the union is 'comic]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021 – via Naver.
  34. ^ Kim Myung-mi (April 6, 2023). "'조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다' 윤찬영X봉재현X이서진 캐스팅[공식]" ['I, a gangster, became a high school student' Yoon Chan-young X Bong Jae-hyun X Lee Seo-jin cast [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023 – via Naver.
  35. ^ Lee, Sun-min (April 19, 2013). "1 Night, 2 Days producer returns". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  36. ^ Jeon, Su-mi (October 1, 2014). "Na PD Takes 2PM′s Taecyeon and Lee Seo Jin on a New Cooking Variety Show". enewsWorld. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  37. ^ Hong, Grace Danbi (October 15, 2014). "2PM's Taecyeon Feels Confident Cooking Rice After Three Meals". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on December 6, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  38. ^ "Lee Seo-jin, Kim Jong-kook and Noh Hong-cheol to host "Welcome"". Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  39. ^ Kim, Hye-ran (June 4, 2018). "'꽃보다 할배' 합류 김용건, 열혈 시청자서 출연자로…5년 만에 소원 성취". DongA (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  40. ^ "[TD포토] '리틀 포레스트' 찍박골의 여름 맞이". TV Daily (in Korean). August 12, 2019. Archived from the original on September 12, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  41. ^ "Program Introduction". TVING (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  42. ^ Kim, Jin-seok (October 26, 2020). "[단독]박서준·최우식, '윤식당3' 함께… "내달 촬영 시작"". Ilgan Sports (in Korean).
  43. ^ Park Jeong-seon (March 2, 2022). "[단독] 나영석·윤여정·이서진 LA 간다…새 예능서 재회" [[Exclusive] Na Young-seok, Yoon Yeo-jeong, Lee Seo-jin go to LA... Reunion in a new entertainment book] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022 – via Naver.
  44. ^ Kim Min-ji (January 27, 2023). "서진이네', 이서진·정유미·박서준·최우식·김태형 드림팀 완성…2월24일 오픈" ['Seojin', Lee Seojin, Jung Yumi, Park Seojun, Choi Wooshik, Kim Taehyung's dream team complete... Open on February 24th] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2023 – via Naver.
  45. ^ Yoon, Seongyeol (February 15, 2024). '서진이네' 시즌2 확정..CJ ENM "출국일·장소 확인 불가" [공식] [[Official] Seo Jin's' Season 2 confirmed...CJ ENM "Departure date and location cannot be confirmed"]. Star News (in Korean).
  46. ^ "세익스피어식 사랑메소드" [Shakespeare's Love Method]. DA-Arts (in Korean). September 29, 2023. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  47. ^ "세익스피어식 사랑메소드" [Shakespeare's Love Method]. DA-Arts (in Korean). September 29, 2023. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  48. ^ Sullivan, Martin (July 8, 2020). "K-Pop Stars Promote South Korean Tax Compliance". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  49. ^ "Singer IU, Actor Lee Seo-jin Honored as Faithful Taxpayers". Chosun. March 4, 2020. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  50. ^ Choi, Eun-kyung; Lim, Chae-yeon (February 23, 2015). 2015 KOREA POWER CELEBRITY 40 - 엑소, 한국 최고의 파워 셀러브리티 [2015 KOREA POWER CELEBRITY 40 - EXO, Korea's best power celebrity]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 5, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2021 – via Joins.
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