# Lee Mi-sook

Lee Mi-sook (born April 2, 1960) is a South Korean actress. One of the best-known actresses of 1980s Korean cinema, Lee's most famous films from this era include Bae Chang-ho's Whale Hunting and The Winter That Year Was Warm, Lee Doo-yong's Mulberry and Eunuch, and Kwak Ji-kyoon's Wanderer in Winter. She retired from film after getting married in 1987, though she still appeared on television in dramas such as How's Your Husband? (1993). Then a decade later, Lee made her comeback with an award-winning leading role in E J-yong's feature debut An Affair (1998). She has since remained active in film and television, notably in the May–December romance Solitude (2002), the Dangerous Liaisons adaptation Untold Scandal (2003), the mockumentary Actresses (2009), the family dramas Smile, Mom (2010), and Queen of Tears (2024).

## Career

Lee Mi-sook debuted in film at the age of twenty in Thoughtless Momo in 1979. By the mid-1980s she had become one of the best-known actresses of her era. Together with Lee Bo-hee and Won Mi-kyung, they dominated the screen and were referred to as the "Troika of the 1980s." Her most famous films from this era include Bae Chang-ho's Whale Hunting and The Winter That Year Was Warm, Lee Doo-yong's Mulberry and Eunuch, and Kwak Ji-kyoon's Wanderer in Winter. Her early career lasted until the film Love Triangle in 1987, and then she retired from the cinema after getting married.
Over ten years later, in 1998, Lee returned with a widely praised role in E J-yong's award-winning film An Affair, about a woman who falls in love with her sister's fiancé. Using this film as a springboard, she re-launched her career.
In 2000, Lee was cast in the high-profile project The Legend of Gingko, which was considered to be production company Kang Je-gyu Film's followup to the successful Shiri (even though Kang himself was not directing). However the film proved to be a critical and commercial disappointment. Lee's next two films, Kiss Me Much and Oh! Lala Sisters, were also more or less ignored by audiences. In contrast, her appearances in TV dramas such as Solitude (2002) were more successful.
However, 2003 was one of Lee's best years, with her highly praised role in E J-yong's Untold Scandal, a retelling of the novel Dangerous Liaisons set in the Joseon period, and her role as a single mother in Lee Eon-hee's well-received melodrama ...ing.
Lee next starred in Hellcats, a 2008 romantic comedy that traces the lives and loves of three characters at different stages of womanhood. Then in 2009 Lee reunited with E J-yong in Actresses, a semi-improvisational mockumentary featuring six actresses each playing themselves.
In 2011, Lee launched her own lingerie line Starit, which was sold on home shopping channels. This would've been virtually unheard of in previous years with the fashion industry's historically narrow focus on young women. But since 2008 the sophisticated and stylish image of actresses such as Lee, Choi Myung-gil and Kim Hee-ae became aspirational for middle-aged women in Korea, and brands specifically targeting women in their 40s and 50s have increased. Lee remains a favorite in editorial spreads in fashion magazines, notably a 2010 Elle Korea feature opposite pop star TOP.
Lee continued to act on television, giving a vulgar, selfish, but human spin to her role as the stepmother in Cinderella's Sister, a ratings hit in 2010. 2012's Love Rain, a Yoon Seok-ho melodrama that jumps between the 1970s and the present, inked overseas distribution deals, but was unsuccessful domestically.
After a judging stint on reality acting talent program Miracle Audition, Lee hosted the cable talk show Bad Scene, which featured celebrities who reveal bad or embarrassing scenes from their past.
In August 2022, she left SidusHQ and signed with new agency Hunus Entertainment.

## Lawsuit

In 2012, Lee was embroiled in a controversy when she was sued by her former agency, The Contents Media, after she moved to a new agency, Hoya Spotainment. The Seoul High Court ruled that Lee was guilty of breach of contract and ordered her to pay ₩120 million (US$110,604) in damages. However, The Contents Media filed an appeal, stating that the agency was owed at least double the amount. They alleged that Lee had been involved in a romantic relationship with a man 17 years her junior in 2006, whom they claimed to have paid off in millions of won to keep him from talking to the press and tarnishing Lee's image. Lee counter-sued The Contents Media and the two reporters who broke the story for defamation. Lee lost her appeal in February 2013, and the Seoul High Court ruled for her to pay the amount in the original ruling.
In August 2013, she signed with another agency, SidusHQ.

## Personal life

In 2007, Lee and her husband Hong Sung-ho, a plastic surgeon, divorced after 20 years of marriage. They have a son and a daughter.

## Filmography

*Note; the whole list is referenced.
| Year | English title | Korean title | Romanization | Role | Director |
| 2018 | Ode to the Goose | 군산: 거위를 노래하다 | Gunsan: Geowileul Nolaehada | | Zhang Lü |
| 2015 | The Exclusive: Beat the Devil's Tattoo | 특종: 량첸살인기 | Teukjong: Ryangchensalingi | News bureau head Baek | Roh Deok |
| 2013 | Horny Family | 배꼽 | Bae Kkop | Hye-kyung | Park Bo-sang |
| 2009 | Actresses | 여배우들 | Yeobaeudeul | Lee Mi-sook | E J-yong |
| 2008 | Hellcats | 뜨거운 것이 좋아 | Ddeu-geo-woon Geot-e Jo-a | Kim Young-mi | Kwon Chil-in |
| 2003 | ...ing | 아이앤지 | Ai-en-ji | Mi-sook | Lee Eon-hee |
| 2003 | Untold Scandal | 스캔들 - 조선남녀상열지사 | Seukaendeul: Joseon-namnyeo-sangnyul-jisa | Lady Cho | E J-yong |
| 2002 | Oh! LaLa Sisters | 울랄라 씨스터즈 | Ulralra Siseuteojeu | Jo Eun-ja | Park Jae-hyun |
| 2001 | Kiss Me Much | 베사메무쵸 | Besame Mucho | Young-hee | Jeon Yoon-soo |
| 2000 | The Legend of Gingko | 단적비연수 | Danjeokbiyeonsu | Soo | Park Jae-hyun |
| 1998 | An Affair | 정사 정사 | Jeongsa | Seo-hyun | E J-yong |
| 1987 | The Home of Two Women | 두 여자의 집 | Du yeoja-ui jib | Yoo-kyung | Kwak Ji-kyoon |
| 1987 | Affection | 유정 | Yujeong | | Kim Ki |
| 1987 | A Street Musician | 거리의 악사 | Geori-ui aksa | Seo-ha | Chung Ji-young |
| 1986 | Eunuch | 내시 | Naesi | Ja-ok | Lee Doo-yong |
| 1986 | Autumn After Love | 가을을 남기고 간 사랑 | Ga-eul-eul namgigo gan salang | | Jung Jin-woo |
| 1986 | Wanderer in Winter | | Gyeo-ul nageune | Da-hye | Kwak Ji-kyoon |
| 1986 | Mulberry | 뽕 | Bbong | An-hyeop | Lee Doo-yong |
| 1985 | Graduation Journey | 졸업 여행 | Jol-eob-yeohaeng | Mi-seon | Yoo Ji-hoeng |
| 1985 | When Tears Run Dry | 그대 눈물이 마를 때 | Geudae nunmul-i maleul ttae | | Choi Dong-joon |
| 1985 | City of Fast | 바람난 도시 | Balamnan dosi | | Kim Yang-duk |
| 1984 | The Winter That Year Was Warm | 그 해 겨울은 따뜻했네 | Geu hae gyeo-ul-eun ttatteushaessne | Oh-mok / Soo-in | Bae Chang-ho |
| 1984 | The Broken Night | 밤이 무너질 때 | Bam-i muneojil ttae | | Go Yeong-nam |
| 1984 | Whale Hunting | 고래사냥 | Goraesanyang | Chun-ja | Bae Chang-ho |
| 1984 | Women Wet Men Like Rain | | Yeojaneun bicheoreom namjareul jeoksinda | | Lee Hyeok-su |
| 1984 | Sleeping Out | 외박 | Woebak | | Go Yeong-nam |
| 1983 | Strange Relationship | 이상한 관계 | I-sanghan gwangye | | Lee Doo-yong |
| 1983 | X | | Ekseu | | Hah Myung-joong |
| 1982 | I Loved | 내가 사랑했다 | Naega salanghaessda | | Go Yeong-nam |
| 1982 | Wild Horse | 야생마 | Yasaengma | Lucia | Yoo Dong-hun |
| 1981 | Is There a Girl Like Her? | 이런 여자 없나요 | Ileon yeoja eobsna-yo | Yun Su-jin | Park Chul-soo |
| 1981 | With Passion and Heat | 가슴깊게 화끈하게 | Gaseumgipge hwakkeunhage | Doh Do-hae | Kim Su-hyeong |
| 1981 | An Embrace in the Dark Night | 이 깊은 밤의 포옹 | I gip-eun bam-ui po-ong | | Song Yeong-su |
| 1980 | Flame Bird | 불새 | Bulsae | Eun-young | Lee Gyeong-tae |
| 1980 | Thoughtless Momo (aka An Innocent College Student) | 모모는 철부지 | Momoneun cheolbuji | Mal-ja | Kim Eung-chun |

## Television series

| Year | English title | Korean title | Role | Notes |
| 2024 | Queen of Tears | 눈물의 여왕 | Mo Seul-hee | |
| 2023 | Perfect Marriage Revenge | 완벽한 결혼의 정석 | Cha Yeon-hwa | |
| 2023 | Family: The Unbreakable Bond | 패밀리 | Butterfly | |
| 2022 | The Law Cafe | 법대로 사랑하라 | Lee Yeon-joo | Cameo |
| 2022 | The Empire | 디 엠파이어: 법의 제국 | Ham Kwang-jeon | |
| 2018 | Let Me Introduce Her | 그녀로 말할 것 같으면 | Min Ja-young | |
| 2018 | Wok of Love | 기름진 멜로 | Jin Jung-hye / Kim Su-nyeo | |
| 2017 | Money Flower | 돈꽃 | Jung Mal-ran | |
| 2017 | Temperature of Love | 사랑의 온도 | Yoo Yeong-mi | |
| 2016 | Don't Dare to Dream | 질투의 화신 | Kye Sung-sook | |
| 2014 | Rosy Lovers | 장미빛 연인들 | Jung Shi-nae | |
| 2014 | Blade Man | 아이언맨 | Madam Yoon | |
| 2013 | Shining Romance | 빛나는 로맨스 | Jung Soon-ok | |
| 2013 | Miss Korea | 미스코리아 | Ma Ae-ri | |
| 2013 | You Are the Best! | 최고다 이순신 | Song Mi-ryung/Kim Kyung-sook | |
| 2012 | Can We Get Married? | 우리가 결혼할 수 있을까 | Deul-ja | |
| 2012 | Love Rain | 사랑비 | Kim Yoon-hee (2012) | |
| 2011 | A Thousand Days' Promise | 천일의 약속 | Oh Hyun-ah | |
| 2010 | Smile, Mom | 웃어요, 엄마 | Jo Bok-hee | |
| 2010 | Cinderella's Stepsister | 신데렐라 언니 | Song Kang-sook | |
| 2009 | Ja Myung Go | 자명고 | Wang Ja-shil | |
| 2009 | East of Eden | 에덴의 동쪽 | Yang Choon-hee | |
| 2006 | Great Inheritance | 위대한 유산 | Go Ah-ra | |
| 2005 | Love and Sympathy | 사랑공감 | Kang Hee-soo | |
| 2002 | Solitude | 고독 | Jo Kyung-min | |
| 1999 | You Don't Know My Mind | 남의 속도 모르고 | Jeon Nam-ja | |
| 1999 | Queen | 퀸 | Hwang Choon-bok | |
| 1999 | Springtime | 청춘 (青春) | | |
| 1998 | Crush | 짝사랑 | Young-ja | |
| 1997 | Snail | 달팽이 | Yoon-joo | |
| 1995 | Elegy | 엘레지 | Min Ji-sook | |
| 1994 | The Goblin is Coming | 도깨비가 간다 | Min Kang-ji | |
| 1993 | How's Your Husband? | 댁의 남편은 어떠십니까? | Ahn Jung-sook | |
| 1992 | Women's Room | 여자의 방 | Na Kyung-sun | |
| 1991 | Humble Men | 고개숙인 남자 | Baek Jung-ran | |
| 1990 | Emmy | 에미 | Mother | |
| 1989 | Wound | 상처 | Ha-young | |
| 1988 | The Land of Grace | 은혜의 땅 | Eun-hye | |
| 1987 | Firebird | 불새 | Hyun-joo | |
| 1985 | That's Right, You Bet | 아무렴 그렇지, 그렇고 말고 | Ok-som | |
| 1984 | I Miss | 그리워 | | |
| 1984 | 500 Years of Joseon: "The Ume Tree in the Midst of the Snow" | 조선왕조 오백년 - 설중매 (雪中梅) | Jang Nok-su | |
| 1984 | Spray | 물보라 | Jang-hee | |
| 1983 | Sunflower in Winter | 겨울 해바라기 | | |
| 1983 | That Star is My Star | 저 별은 나의 별 | | |
| 1982 | Annals of Renunciation: "Yi Yong-ik" | 거부실록 - 이용익 | | |
| 1982 | Lingering Attachment | 미련 | Kang Yeon-hee | |
| 1982 | Women's History: "Hwang Jin-yi" | 여인열전 - 황진이 | Hwang Jini | |
| 1981 | Women's History: "Jang Hui-bin" | 여인열전 - 장희빈 | Jang Hui-bin | |
| 1981 | Embrace | 포옹 | | |
| 1981 | Hello | 안녕하세요 | second daughter-in-law Eun-hee | |
| 1980 | A Sweet Neighborhood | 달동네 | | |
| 1979 | A Lonely Relationship | 고독한 관계 | | |
| 1979 | Mapo Harbor | 마포나루 | | |

## Variety show

| Year | English title | Korean title | Role |
| 2013 | Miracle Korea | 미라클 코리아 | Host |
| 2011-2012 | Lee Mi-sook's Bad Scene | 이미숙의 배드신 | Host |
| 2011 | Miracle Audition | 기적의 오디션 | Judge |
| 2017 | Guesthouse Daughters | | Permanent Cast (Mom) |

## Book

| Year | English title | Korean title | Romanization | Notes |
| 2003 | Lee Mi-sook's DIARY: Dreaming of Deviation | 이미숙의 DIARY 일탈을 꿈꾸며 | | with CD |

## Awards

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work |
| 2017 | MBC Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Weekend Drama | Money Flower |
| 2014 | MBC Drama Awards | Golden Acting Award, Actress | Miss Korea, Shining Romance, Rosy Lovers |
| 2013 | KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama | You Are the Best! |
| 2011 | SBS Drama Awards | Special Award, Actress in a Special Planning Drama | A Thousand Days' Promise |
| 2008 | MBC Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actress | East of Eden |
| 2003 | 23rd Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | Best Actress | Untold Scandal |
| 2001 | 37th Baeksang Arts Awards | Most Popular Actress, Film category | The Legend of Gingko |
| 1999 | 7th Chunsa Film Art Awards | Best Actress | An Affair |
| 1999 | 19th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | Best Actress | An Affair |
| 1998 | 34th Baeksang Arts Awards | Most Popular Actress, TV category | Snail |
| 1993 | SBS Drama Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | How's Your Husband? |
| 1987 | 32nd Asia Pacific Film Festival | Best Actress | Love Triangle |
| 1987 | 26h Grand Bell Awards | Special Jury Award | Love Triangle |
| 1986 | 31st Asia Pacific Film Festival | Best Actress | Mulberry |
| 1986 | 6th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | Best Actress | Mulberry |
| 1984 | 4th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | Best Actress | The Winter That Year Was Warm |
| 1984 | 23rd Grand Bell Awards | Best Actress | The Winter That Year Was Warm |
| 1984 | 21st Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actress | The Winter That Year Was Warm |
| 1982 | MBC Drama Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Jang Hui-bin |
| 1980 | 17th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actress | Flame Bird |
| 1979 | TBC Drama Awards | Best Newcomer | Mapo Harbor |
| 1978 | 3rd Miss Lotte Pageant | Popularity Award | |