# Lee Je-hoon

Lee Je-hoon (Korean: 이제훈; born July 4, 1984) is a South Korean actor. Having found success in both film and television, Lee first gained recognition for his roles in the films Bleak Night (2011) and The Front Line (2011), receiving numerous awards for his performances. Notably, his role as Ki-tae in Bleak Night earned him Best New Actor at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and the Grand Bell Awards.
Lee gained mainstream popularity with the box-office hit Architecture 101 (2012) and found success in television with the critically and commercially successful Signal (2016). He would go on to achieve further acclaim with the action crime series Taxi Driver. His other notable works include films Anarchist from Colony (2017), I Can Speak (2017), and Escape (2024), as well as television series Move to Heaven (2021) and Chief Detective 1958 (2024).

## Career
### 2006–2010: Beginnings

When Lee Je-hoon realized that he wanted to go into acting, he dropped out of Biotechnology major at Korea University and transferred to the School of Drama at Korea National University of Arts. From 2006 to 2010, Lee appeared in more than 18 student shorts and indie films, notably the queer coming-of-age romance Just Friends?. He also appeared as an extra in a number of commercial films like erotic thriller The Servant and romantic comedy Finding Mr. Destiny.

### 2011–2012: Breakthrough

Lee had his breakthrough in 2011. He received rave reviews for his performances as a manipulative alpha-male in the haunting indie film Bleak Night, and as a morphine-addicted squad leader in big-budget war film The Front Line. He gained mainstream popularity as a shy college student pining for his first love in the box-office hit Architecture 101, and though the television series Fashion King was poorly received, his role as a struggling young chaebol heir in Korea's fashion industry further showcased his versatility.
Lee starred opposite acclaimed veteran actor Han Suk-kyu in the comedy-drama My Paparotti, which focuses on the special relationship between a high school gang member who dreams of becoming a singer like the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti, and the music teacher who helps him pursue his dream. He then starred in Ghost Sweepers, dubbed the character Jack Frost for the Korean release of 3D animated film Rise of the Guardians, and featured in the crime thriller An Ethics Lesson.

### 2012–present: Enlistment and return to acting

For his comeback project after enlistment, Lee chose Secret Door, a period drama about Crown Prince Sado who was controversially executed through death by starvation by his father King Yeongjo; the series reunited him with Han Suk-kyu. This was followed by the Jo Sung-hee-directed film Phantom Detective, a modern retelling of the eponymous folk hero Hong Gil-dong as a private detective in the 1990s.
In 2016, Lee starred in tvN's fantasy crime drama Signal together with Cho Jin-woong and Kim Hye-soo, which was critically and commercially successful.
In 2017, Lee starred in the fantasy romance drama Tomorrow, With You opposite Shin Min-a, portraying a CEO of a real estate company who has the ability to travel through time. He then starred in the biographical period drama film Anarchist from Colony directed by Lee Joon-ik, playing the character of Park Yeol, a self-proclaimed anarchist and revolutionary activist during the Colonial Era of Japan. The same year Lee starred in the film I Can Speak as a civil servant who also tutors English.
In 2018, Lee starred in the airport-themed melodrama Where Stars Land alongside Chae Soo-bin. Lee and co-star Chae Soo-bin were appointed as honorary ambassadors of Incheon International Airport.
In 2019, Lee filmed the travel reality programme Traveller along with Ryu Jun-yeol where the two stars enjoy a backpacking holiday in Cuba. The same year, he was cast in the film Tomb Robbery.
In 2020, Lee starred in the dystopian action thriller film Time to Hunt which earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards. He also starred in the caper story film Collectors.
In 2021, Lee joined the SBS drama Taxi Driver, his small screen comeback after making a special appearance in Hot Stove League last 2020. Later in May, Lee appeared in the Netflix series Move to Heaven. Lee founded "Company on" in June 2021, after the contract with his former agency expired.
In 2022, Lee organized a fan meeting held at Central World Live in Bangkok, Thailand on June 22 and 23. Later in August, Lee held another fan meeting at the Centennial Memorial Hall of Yonsei University concert hall in Seodaemun District, Seoul. In October, he made a special appearance in the SBS drama One Dollar Lawyer.
In 2023, Lee starred in the second season of SBS drama Taxi Driver. Later in March, Lee held his first fan meeting event in the Philippines. He also expressed interest in starring in a Filipino drama or film: "If there are good projects here in the Philippines, I am willing to join the project and I will take the opportunity."

## Personal life

Lee enlisted on October 25, 2012, for his mandatory military service as a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency riot police. He was discharged on July 24, 2014.

## Philanthropy

In May 2015, Lee visited the Philippines to meet with the typhoon victims and helped in reconstruction of a mangrove project in Cebu.
On March 6, 2022, Lee donated 100 million won to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.
In April 2023, Lee donated a total of 1 million won from the quiz on You Quiz on the Block to the Korea Film Academy (KAFA) Development Fund.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2009 | The Pit and the Pendulum | Young Sang-tae | |
| 2010 | The Influence | Sunjong | Internet film |
| 2010 | The Servant | Hanbok maker | Bit part |
| 2010 | Finding Mr. Destiny | Woo-hyung | Bit part |
| 2010 | Ghost | Kim Se-young | Segment: "Tarot 3. The Unseen" |
| 2011 | Bleak Night | Ki-tae | Independent film |
| 2011 | The Front Line | Captain Shin Il-young | |
| 2012 | Architecture 101 | young Lee Seung-min | |
| 2012 | Ghost Sweepers | Suk-hyun | |
| 2012 | Rise of the Guardians | Jack Frost (voice) | Korean dub |
| 2013 | An Ethics Lesson | Kim Jung-hoon | |
| 2013 | My Paparotti | Lee Jang-ho | |
| 2016 | Phantom Detective | Hong Gil-dong | |
| 2017 | Anarchist from Colony | Park Yeol | |
| 2017 | I Can Speak | Park Min-jae | |
| 2020 | Time to Hunt | Joon-seok | |
| 2020 | Collectors | Kang Dong-goo | |
| 2023 | Noryang: Deadly Sea | young Gwang-hae | Special appearance |
| 2024 | Escape | Lim Gyu-nam | |
| TBA | Big Deal | Choi In-beom | |

#### Short film

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2007 | They Live by Night | Private Shin |
| 2007 | Placebo | |
| 2008 | Ah Man | |
| 2008 | Holy Vacation | Kang Young-woon |
| 2009 | Just Friends? | Seok-i |
| 2009 | Language Life | Kyung-min |
| 2009 | When Winter Comes | |
| 2010 | Maldives Express | Eun-seok |
| 2010 | A Dog Came Into My Flash | Son/Twenty-something man |
| 2010 | Miss Communication | Male book designer |

#### Filmmaking credits

| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Ref. |
| 2013 | After Being Late...Love | Assistant | No | No | |
| 2021 | Unframed – Blue happiness | Yes | Yes | No | |

### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2010 | Three Sisters | Kim Eun-gook | |
| 2012 | Fashion King | Jung Jae-hyuk | |
| 2014 | Secret Door | Yi Sun | |
| 2016 | Signal | Park Hae-young | |
| 2017 | Tomorrow, With You | Yoo So-joon | |
| 2018 | Where Stars Land | Lee Soo-yeon | |
| 2020 | Hot Stove League | Lee Je-hoon | Cameo (Ep. 16) |
| 2021–present | Taxi Driver | Kim Do-gi | Seasons 1–2 |
| 2021 | Move to Heaven | Jo Sang-goo | |
| 2022 | One Dollar Lawyer | Top Star Lee Je-hoon | Cameo (Ep. 6) |
| 2023 | Big Bet 2 | Jang-jun | Cameo (Ep. 8) |
| 2024 | Chief Detective 1958 | Park Young-han | |
| 2025 | The Art of Negotiation | Yoon Juno | |

### Documentary

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2018 | Earth: One Amazing Day | Narrator |
| 2019 | DMZ – Prologue | Narrator |
| 2022 | Another Record: Lee Je-hoon | Himself |

### Television show

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2019 | Traveler | Cast member | with Ryu Jun-yeol |
| 2019 | 1919–2019, Memories | Narrator | Episode: 7 of Ahn Jung-geun |
| 2021 | SBS Special – Immortal Age | Narrator | Episode: Frozen Man |
| 2021 | Your Wish List, Change the Future of the Earth! | Narrator | Episode: October 2050, a letter from the future |

### Hosting

| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
| 2018 | 2018 SBS Drama Awards | with Shin Dong-yup and Shin Hye-sun | |
| 2024 | 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards | with Han Ji-min | |

### Music video appearances

| Year | Title | Artist |
| 2012 | "I Choose To Love You" | Hyolyn |
| 2015 | "Home" | Brown Eyed Soul |
| 2019 | "With You" | Crush |
| 2020 | "Reconnect" | Code Kunst, Simon Dominic, and Choi Jung-hoon of Jannabi |
| 2021 | "Only" | LeeHi |
| 2021 | "I'll Never Know You" | Urban Zakapa |

## Discography

| Title | Year | Album |
| "Love Like This" (사랑은 이렇게) | 2012 | Fashion King OST |
| "The Person That Makes You Happy" (행복을 주는 사람) (Duet with Han Suk-kyu) | 2013 | My Paparotti OST |

## Ambassadorship

* 2016 Honorary Ambassador of Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) by Korean Film Council
* 2016 Honorary Ambassador of Korea National Police Agency's Human Rights
* 2016 Honorary Ambassador of Oxfam Korea
* 2017 Honorary Ambassador of Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism.

## Accolades
### Awards and nominations

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 |
| Amnesty International Awards | 2017 | Special Award | I Can Speak | Won |
| APAN Star Awards | 2022 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Taxi Driver | Nominated |
| Asian Academy Creative Awards | 2021 | Best Actor in Leading Role | Move to Heaven | Won |
| Asia Contents Awards | 2021 | Best Actor | Move to Heaven | Won |
| Asian Film Awards | 2012 | Best Supporting Actor | The Front Line | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2012 | Best New Actor – Film | Architecture 101 | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2020 | Best Actor – Film | Time to Hunt | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2011 | Best New Actor | Bleak Night | Won |
| Blue Dragon Series Awards | 2022 | Best Leading Actor | Move to Heaven | Nominated |
| Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival | 2012 | Fantasia Award | Architecture 101 | Won |
| Buil Film Awards | 2011 | Best Dressed | Lee Je-hoon | Won |
| Buil Film Awards | 2011 | Best New Actor | The Front Line | Won |
| Buil Film Awards | 2017 | Best Actor | Anarchist from Colony | Nominated |
| Busan International Film Festival with Marie Claire Asia Star Awards | 2017 | Asia Star Award | Lee Je-hoon | Won |
| Busan International Film Festival with Marie Claire Asia Star Awards | 2023 | Asia Star Award | Lee Je-hoon | Won |
| CGV Arthouse Opening Ceremony | 2014 | Plaque for Rising Star in Independent Film | Bleak Night | Won |
| Cine 21 Awards | 2011 | Best New Actor | Bleak Night | Won |
| CINE ICON: KT&G Actor / Actress Event | 2016 | ICON OF THE YEAR | Phantom Detective | Won |
| Golden Cinema Film Festival | 2018 | Popularity Award, Actor | I Can Speak | Won |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2011 | Best New Actor | The Front Line | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2011 | Best New Actor | Bleak Night | Won |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2017 | Best Actor | Anarchist from Colony | Nominated |
| Jecheon International Music & Film Festival | 2014 | Best Actor in a Music Film | My Paparotti | Won |
| KAFA 10th Anniversary Award | 2016 | Actor Special Merit Award | Bleak Night | Won |
| Kino Lights Awards | 2021 | Actor of The Year (Domestic) | Taxi Driver and Move to Heaven | 3rd place |
| KOFRA Film Awards | 2012 | Best New Actor | Bleak Night | Won |
| Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | 2011 | Best New Actor | The Front Line | Won |
| Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards | 2011 | Best New Actor | Bleak Night | Won |
| Korea Film Actors Association | 2016 | Popular Star Award | Phantom Detective | Won |
| Korea Youth Film Festival | 2017 | Grand Prize | Anarchist from Colony | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2024 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Chief Detective 1958 | Won |
| Mnet 20's Choice Awards | 2012 | 20's Male Movie Star | Architecture 101 | Won |
| Resistance Film Festival in Korea | 2018 | Best Actor | Anarchist from Colony, I Can Speak | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2014 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | Secret Door | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2014 | Top 10 Stars | Secret Door | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2018 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday Drama | Where Stars Land | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2018 | Best Couple Award | Lee Je-hoon with Chae Soo-bin Where Stars Land | Nominated |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2021 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Taxi Driver | Nominated |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2021 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries - Fantasy | Taxi Driver | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2023 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Taxi Driver 2 | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2023 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Seasonal Drama | Taxi Driver 2 | Nominated |
| Seoul International Drama Awards | 2021 | Outstanding Korean Actor | Taxi Driver | Nominated |
| tvN10 Awards | 2016 | Best Actor | Signal | Nominated |
| tvN10 Awards | 2016 | PD's Choice Award, Drama | Signal | Won |

### State honors

Name of country, year given, and name of honor :
| Country | Organization | Year | Honor Or Award |
| South Korea | 3rd Korea Good Donor Award | 2023 | Minister of Public Administration and Security Commendation |
| South Korea | Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards | 2021 | Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation |
| South Korea | Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards | 2024 | Prime Minister Commendation |
| South Korea | National Tax Service | 2019 | Presidential Commendation |
| South Korea | Newsis K-Expo Cultural Awards | 2023 | Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award |