# Lee Jung-eun (actress)

Lee Jung-eun (Korean: 이정은; born January 23, 1970) is a South Korean actress. She debuted onstage in 1991 and also played minor roles in films. She went on to appear in acclaimed films like The Attorney (2013), A Violent Prosecutor (2015), and festival favorites such as A Girl at My Door (2014) and The Wailing (2016). Lee landed more significant roles in A Taxi Driver (2017), Miss Baek (2017), and Another Child (2018). Known for her work with Bong Joon-ho, starting with the 2009 film Mother, as the voice of the pig Okja in the film Okja, she is best known internationally for her role as the housekeeper Moon-gwang in the film Parasite, which won four Academy Awards and became the first non-English language film to win the award for Best Picture.

## Early life

Lee Jung-eun was born on January 23, 1970, in Seoul and grew up in a neighborhood near Hanyang University. She attended Hanyang Girls' High School, where societal expectations for female students were to study literature and marry. However, Lee defied these norms and pursued a career in acting. Her decision was influenced by the student protests she witnessed during high school and the tragic death of activist Lee Han-yeol in 1987. Lee and her friend wore black ribbons to mourn Lee Han-yeol's death, leading to her friend's expulsion and Lee's reflection letter. This event sparked a rebellion against the older generation, prompting Lee to reconsider her path. She remembered her love for performing and entertainment, leading her to switch her academic focus to a theater and film major just two months before her college entrance exams, with the goal of studying directing. She was accepted into the Department of Theater and Film at Hanyang University, class of 1988.

## Career
### Early career

After graduating in 1992, Lee began her career as a theater play assistant director, making her debut with the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in 1991. She remained active on stage throughout the 1990s and 2000s. In 2000, she made her film debut with a minor role in the film A Masterpiece In My Life, followed by another small part in the 2001 film Wanee & Junah. However, these early cinematic experiences left her feeling traumatized by camera fright, and she decided to return to the stage.
At the end of 1997, Lee appeared in Subway Line 1 [ko] with Sul Kyung-gu. Subway Line 1 was her first musical. Lee Jung-eun appeared as the generous Gombo Halmae.
In the 2000s, in addition to her theater work, Lee also made a living as an acting teacher. Among her pupils were the actresses Ye Ji-won and Lee Eun-joo. On the recommendation of Professor Lee Hye-kyung, the head of the Department of Theater and Film at Kookmin University, Lee was introduced to Lee Hyo-ri and became an acting teacher for her SBS drama role.

### Breakthrough as a musical actor, resume film career, debut in television

Lee's breakthrough as an actress came in the 2008 musical Laundry, which is considered one of the representative creative musicals in South Korea. In the production, Lee portrayed multiple roles, including a master, a grandmother, and an employee, performing until 2009. Her performance in the musical earned her the 1st Young Drama Award, with a prize of 3 million won. This award was established by the cultural arts support forum "Alpha", which is composed of around 60 domestic CEOs, including Samsung Electronics CEO Kwun Oh-hyun. The award ceremony was held on September 19, 2008, at Shinhan Art Hall in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul.
She reprised her role in Laundry from 2012 to 2017. Apart from her work in Laundry, Lee collaborated with director Choo Min-joo on reading performances of House with Fig Trees and Scars, as well as the musical Good Morning School.
Lee, who had gained a reputation in the musical field, decided to venture into film projects once again. She made her return to the screen in 2009 with the film If You Were Me 4 [ko]. Costume designer Choi Se-yeon, who was also the producer of the musical Laundry, recommended her for an audition, which led to her landing a minor role in Bong Joon-ho's 2009 film Mother. This marked her first collaboration with director Bong Joon-ho.
She faced numerous challenges during her years of living in obscurity. Before the age of 40, she had to support herself through various part-time jobs, such as being an academy instructor, working at a supermarket, and selling green juice. It wasn't until she reached the age of 45 that she finally made her debut on television.
In 2013, Lee appeared on television for the first time in The Queen's Classroom and had minor roles in Blue Tower, Royal Villa, and Shining Romance (2013–2014). Lee also appears in the film The Attorney, which attracted 10 million viewers. She appeared as the old house owner of the main character Song Woo-seok (played by Song Kang-ho) and showed off her witty acting. When Song Kang-ho asked her to sell the house because he would pay more than the market price, she said, "Oh my, would you like some 'jussi'?" in a dialect and acted cutely. The following year, she was featured in television dramas Cunning Single Lady, Beauty Parlor Boss, High School King of Savvy, My Lovely Girl, and Only Love.
Her big break came in 2015. After a minor role in the KBS2 school series Who Are You: School 2015, she landed a supporting role in the tvN drama series Oh My Ghost (2015) where she portrayed the Shaman of Seobinggo-dong. Lee gained widespread recognition for her performance in the drama. In 2016, Lee starred in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo as Jung Jun-hyung's (Nam Joo-hyuk) mother. In that same year, she won Best Acting at the Seoul Theatre Festival for her role in the play Feast with Hanyang Repertory Theater.

### Okja and Mr. Sunshine

In 2017, director Bong Joon-ho, who had previously worked with Lee on Mother (2009), offered her the role of the voice actor for a genetically modified pig named Okja in the action-adventure film Okja. Lee accepted the role and dedicated herself to researching it by visiting a pig farm. This marked her second collaboration with director Bong Joon-ho. Okja featured an international cast that included Tilda Swinton and Paul Dano. The film had its world premiere at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2017, where it received a four-minute standing ovation at its end. It was later released on Netflix on June 28, 2017, and in July 2022, it was released on Blu-ray and DVD as part of The Criterion Collection.
In the same year, in the KBS2 drama Fight for My Way, written by Lim Sang-choon, Lee played the role of Geumbok, the loving and doting mother of Baek Seol-hee (played by Song Ha-yoon). Her performance as the mother who whipped up delicious side dishes for her daughter's prospective in-laws touched many viewers, especially with the line "Please just be pretty to our Seolhee".
In 2018, Lee appeared in the historic drama Mr. Sunshine, written by acclaimed screenwriter Kim Eun-sook. Kim had previously been impressed by Lee's performance in the film The Battleship Island and recognized her from her role in Oh My Ghost. The two later happened to meet at a restaurant, where Kim expressed her admiration for Lee's work. Lee was subsequently cast in the supporting role of Ham-an-daek in Mr. Sunshine, the careful and attentive assistant to the character Ae-shin Ae-gi (played by Kim Tae-ri). Originally envisioned as a minor supporting role, Lee's nuanced performance helped evolve the character into a more prominent maternal figure, filling the absence of the female lead's parents. Her portrayal of this character was praised for adding both laughter and warmth to the show.
In that same year, Lee also acted in tvN drama Familiar Wife, Lee delivered a passionate performance as the mother of the main character, Seo Woo-jin (played by Han Ji-min). Her portrayal of Seo Woo-jin's mother, who was suffering from dementia, was widely acclaimed for its authenticity. Lee received the Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards 2018 Excellence Award for Actress in a Drama for her roles in Mr. Sunshine and Familiar Wife.

### International recognition

In 2019, Lee had a highly successful year. She starred in several acclaimed projects. In the JTBC drama Light in Your Eyes, Lee took on the dual roles of the mother of the main character, Hye-ja (played by Han Ji-min), and the daughter-in-law of Hye-ja (played by Kim Hye-ja). Her performance in this drama, which showcased both dark and warm aspects, was recognized with the Best Supporting Actress Award at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
In the OCN series Strangers from Hell, Lee played the role of a boarding house owner who becomes increasingly cold and chilling, adding to the sense of terror in the series.
Lee also reunited with director Bong Joon-ho for the black comedy thriller film Parasite. She played the supporting character of Gook Moon-gwang, the housekeeper of Park family, who also worked for the house's architect and previous owner. Her performance was widely recognized, earning her numerous awards, primarily in the supporting actress category, including the Busan Film Critics Association Award, Buil Film Award, Chunsa Film Award, and Blue Dragon Film Award. She and her co-stars made history by winning Best Ensemble at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for a non-English language film.
Towards the end of 2019, Lee reunited with writer Lim Sang-choon in the KBS2 drama When the Camellia Blooms. In this drama, Lee showcased her range by delivering thrilling and emotional moments as the mother of the lead character, Dong-baek. Her performance was widely applauded by viewers for its nuance and power. She won Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama in 2019 KBS Drama Awards.
In 2020, Lee starred as Kang Cho-yeon in the KBS2 family weekend drama series Once Again, which aired from March 28 to September 13, 2020, every Saturday and Sunday. She portrayed the character of Young-dal's long-lost younger sister, Song Young-sook, who is also the owner of Sister's Kimbap store. Lee's performance in the series earned her the KBS Drama Award for supporting actress in the mid-length drama category.
In that same year, Lee Jung-eun starred in Park Ji-wan's directorial debut film The Day I Died: Unclosed Case as Suncheondaek, along with Kim Hye-soo. In the following year, she received Best Supporting Actress nominations at the Baeksang Arts Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, and Chunsa Film Art Awards for her performance in the film.
In 2021, Lee appeared in Lee Joon-ik's black-and-white film The Book of Fish, portraying the role of Gageo of Heuksan Island, the concubine of Seohak scholar Jeong Yak-jeon (1758–1816), played by Sul Kyung-gu, who was exiled to Heuksan Island. Based on a true story, the film features historical materials meticulously researched by director Lee Joon-ik. Lee's performance earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at 30th Buil Film Awards.
In 2021, Lee collaborated with director Kim Seok-yoon for the drama Law School, her third project with him. She portrayed Kim Eun-sook, a former judge and civil law professor.

### First titular role and recent projects

In 2022, she starred in Netflix's original series Juvenile Justice as Judge Na Geun-hee. Directed by Hong Jong-chan, the series focuses on characters at a district juvenile court handling cases involving young offenders. Lee's character clashes with elite judge Shim Eun-seok (Kim Hye-soo) due to their differing approaches to the cases. This collaboration marks the second time Lee and Kim have worked together. Lee's performance in Juvenile Justice earned her a nomination for Excellence Award, Actress in an OTT Drama at the 2022 APAN Star Awards, as well as Best Supporting Actress at the 2022 Asian Academy Creative Awards and 2022 Blue Dragon Series Awards.
In that same year, Lee took on her first titular role in 30 years in Shin Su-won's film Hommage. She portrayed a middle-aged film director experiencing a slump who time travels while restoring the film The Female Judge, created by Hong Eun-won, the second Korean female director in the 1960s. The film premiered at the 23rd Jeonju International Film Festival on April 28, 2022. On December 15, 2022, she won Best Actress at The 23rd Women's Film Awards held at Cinecube Gwanghwamun in Seoul.
After winning the Best Jury Prize at the 20th Florence Korea Film Festival, Hommage was officially invited to the Viewpoints section of the 21st Tribeca Film Festival. Lee has also received international recognition, including The Best Actor Award at the 7th London East Asia Film Festival. The jury selected Lee for this award based on her portrayal of desire, frustration, and the courage displayed by a middle-aged woman whose dreams were delicately and realistically depicted in Hommage. Lee also won the Best Performance Award at the 15th Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
In the end of 2022, Lee appeared in Missing: The Other Side Season 2 as Kang Eun-sil, a captain with 30 years of experience who now resides in a mysterious village inhabited by spirits. Despite her past, she is known for her roaring laughter and enigmatic background. The second season is moved from OCN to tvN from December 19, 2022 to January 31, 2023, every Monday and Tuesday at 20:50 (KST).
In 2023, Lee joined the cast of Netflix's original series Daily Dose of Sunshine as Song Hyo-shin, the chief nurse of the Psychiatric Department. Lee also appeared in the TVING original A Bloody Lucky Day alongside Lee Sung-min and Yoo Yeon-seok. The series is based on a webtoon of the same name by Aporia, originally published on Naver. A Bloody Lucky Day aired on tvN starting November 20, 2023, with episodes airing every Monday and Tuesday.
In 2024, Lee starred in JTBC's new romantic comedy Miss Night and Day alongside Jung Eun-ji. The show revolves around Lee Mi-jin, a woman who has been preparing for a civil service exam for eight years. One day, a strange incident causes her to age into a 50-year-old during the daytime. Despite this, she manages to work as a senior intern with her older appearance and continues her studies at night. Throughout her journey, she encounters prosecutor Gye Ji-woong, portrayed by Choi Jin-hyuk.

## Filmography
### Film

List of films :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2000 | A Masterpiece In My Life | 불후의 명작 | Jin-won's wife | | |
| 2001 | Wanee & Junah | 와니와 준하 | Producer | | |
| 2009 | If You Were Me 4 [ko] | 시선 1318 | Ahjumma | | |
| 2009 | Mother | 마더 | Ah-jeong's relative | | |
| 2013 | Born to Sing | 전국노래자랑 | Dong-soo's aunt | | |
| 2013 | The Attorney | 헬머니 | Apartment owner | | |
| 2013 | Bug | 벌레 | Mom | | |
| 2014 | A Girl at My Door | 도희야 | Neighborhood woman | | |
| 2014 | Cart | 카트 | Cashier | | |
| 2014 | A Dynamite Family | | Women's association member | | |
| 2015 | Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island | 조선명탐정: 사라진 놉의 딸 | Middle-aged woman | |
| 2015 | Granny's Got Talent | | Grandmother shaman's daughter-in-law | | |
| 2015 | The Exclusive: Beat the Devil's Tattoo | 특종: 량첸살인기 | Inn Keeper | | |
| 2015 | Summer Snow | | Woman from Hwasoon | | |
| 2016 | Mood of the Day | 그날의 분위기 | Employee of Rainbow restaurant | | |
| 2016 | A Violent Prosecutor | 검사외전 | Middle-aged female campaigner | | |
| 2016 | Like for Likes | 좋아해줘 | Real estate office middle-aged woman | | |
| 2016 | 4th Place | | Owner of covered wagon | | |
| 2016 | Time Renegades | 시간이탈자 | High school teacher | | |
| 2016 | The Wailing | 곡성 | Deok-gi's wife | | |
| 2016 | With or Without You | | BBQ restaurant part-timer | | |
| 2016 | A Break Alone | | Past yoga institute | | |
| 2017 | New Trial | 재심 | Oh Mi-ri | | |
| 2017 | The Sheriff in Town | 보안관 | Yong-hwan's wife | | |
| 2017 | Okja | 옥자 | Okja's voice / Wheelchair woman | Voice | |
| 2017 | The Battleship Island | 군함도 | Women's society chairman | | |
| 2017 | A Taxi Driver | 택시운전사 | Hwang Tae-sool's wife | | |
| 2017 | Yakiniku Dragon | | Go Young-soon | | |
| 2018 | Adulthood | | Judge | | |
| 2018 | Miss Baek | 미쓰백 | Massage shop owner | | |
| 2018 | Hello | | | Short film | |
| 2019 | Mal-Mo-E: The Secret Mission | 말모이 | Jeju teacher | Cameo | |
| 2019 | Another Child | 미성년 | Breakwater middle-aged woman | | |
| 2019 | Parasite | 기생충 | Gook Moon-gwang | | |
| 2019 | Let Us Meet Now | | Jung-eun | | |
| 2020 | Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP | 미스터 주: 사라진 VIP | Gorilla | Voice | |
| 2020 | The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날 | Woman from Suncheon | | |
| 2021 | The Book of Fish | 자산어보 | Woman from Gageo | | |
| 2021 | Bechdel Day 2021 | 벡델데이 2021 | Photographer | | |
| 2022 | House of Blessing | | Insurance | | |
| 2022 | Take Care of Mom | 말임씨를 부탁해 | Senior employee of the insurance company | Special appearance | |
| 2022 | Good Morning | 안녕하세요 | Nurse friend at the fishing grounds | Special appearance | |
| 2022 | Hommage | 오마주 | Kim Ji-wan | Independent film | |
| 2022 | Woman in the White Car | | Hyeon-joo | It premiered at the 26th BIFAN | |
| 2023 | Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman | 천박사 퇴마 연구소: 설경의 비밀 | Madame | Special appearance | |
| TBA | Gyeongju Travelogue | 경주기행 | Ok-sil | | |

### Television series

List of television series :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Note | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Note | Ref. |
| 2013 | The Queen's Classroom | 여왕의 교실 | Seon-yeong's mother | | |
| 2013 | Blue Tower | 푸른거탑 | Ostrich farm owner/grandmother | | |
| 2013 | Blue Tower ZERO | 푸른거탑 제로 | Jong-hoon's mother | | |
| 2013 | Royal Villa | 시트콩 로얄빌라 | Lee Jung-eun | | |
| 2013–2014 | Shining Romance | 빛나는 로맨스 | | | |
| 2014 | Cunning Single Lady | 앙큼한 돌싱녀 | Beauty parlor boss | Cameo | |
| 2014 | High School King of Savvy | 고교처세왕 | Soo-yeong's mother | | |
| 2014 | My Lovely Girl | 내겐 너무 사랑스러운 그녀 | Mr. Jung's wife | Cameo (episode 3) | |
| 2014 | Only Love | 사랑만 할래 | Park Soon-ja | | |
| 2015 | Who Are You: School 2015 | 후아유: 학교 2015 | Yeong-eun's mother | Cameo (episode 2–3) | |
| 2015 | Oh My Ghost | 오 나의 귀신님 | Shaman in Seobinggo-dong | | |
| 2015 | My Fantastic Funeral | 나의 판타스틱한 장례식 | Mi-soo's aunt | | |
| 2015 | Songgot: The Piercer | 송곳 | Kim Jeong-mi | | |
| 2015–2016 | Remember | 리멤버 – 아들의 전쟁 | Yeon Bo-mi | | |
| 2016 | Pied Piper | 피리부는 사나이 | Oh Ha-na | | |
| 2016 | Bring It On, Ghost | 싸우자 귀신아 | Apartment chairwoman | | |
| 2016 | Don't Dare to Dream | 질투의 화신 | Doctor | Cameo | |
| 2016 | The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop | 월계수 양복점 신사들 | Geum Chon-daek | | |
| 2016 | Drama Special: "Noodle House Girl" | KBS 드라마 스페셜 - 국시집 여자 | Ok-sim | One-act drama | |
| 2016–2017 | Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo | 역도요정 김복주 | Joon-hyeong's mother | | |
| 2017 | Tomorrow, with You | 내일 그대와 | Cha Boo-sim | | |
| 2017 | Ice Bing-gu | 빙구 | Lee Jeong-eun | | |
| 2017 | Bad Thief, Good Thief | 도둑놈, 도둑님 | Kwon Jeong-hee | | |
| 2017 | Fight for My Way | 쌈 마이웨이 | Geum-bok | | |
| 2017 | Someone Who Might Know | 알 수도 있는 사람 | Kim Jin-yeong | Cameo | |
| 2017 | While You Were Sleeping | 당신이 잠든 사이에 | Jae-chan's mother | | |
| 2017 | Drama Special: "Buzz Cut's Date" | KBS 드라마 스페셜 - 까까머리의 연애 | Yeong-hee | One-act drama | |
| 2017 | Drama Stage: "Assistant Manager Park's Private Life" | 드라마 스테이지 - 박대리의 은밀한 사생활 | | One-act drama | |
| 2018 | Nice Witch | 착한마녀전 | Chief | Cameo | |
| 2018 | Ms. Hammurabi | 미스 함무라비 | Couple manager | Cameo | |
| 2018 | Mr. Sunshine | 미스터 션샤인 | Go Ae-shin's loyal maid | | |
| 2018 | Familiar Wife | 아는 와이프 | Woo-jin's mother | | |
| 2018 | My Strange Hero | 복수가 돌아왔다 | Mother of a Your Request client | Cameo (episode 4) | |
| 2019 | The Light in Your Eyes | 눈이 부시게 | Moon Jung-eun | | |
| 2019 | Welcome to Waikiki 2 | 으라차차 와이키키 2 | Kimbap Heavenly owner | Cameo (episode 3) | |
| 2019 | When the Devil Calls Your Name | 악마가 너의 이름을 부를 때 | | Cameo | |
| 2019 | Hell Is Other People | 타인은 지옥이다 | Eom Bok-soon | | |
| 2019 | When the Camellia Blooms | 동백꽃 필 무렵 | Jo Jung-sook | | |
| 2020 | My Holo Love | 나 홀로 그대 | So-yeon's mother | Cameo | |
| 2020 | Hi Bye, Mama! | 하이바이, 마마! | Shaman in Seobinggo-dong | Cameo (episode 4 & 10) | |
| 2020 | A Piece of Your Mind | 반의 반 | Kim Min-jung | | |
| 2020 | Once Again | 한 번 다녀왔습니다 | Kang Cho-yeon | | |
| 2021 | Law School | 로스쿨 | Kim Eun-sook | | |
| 2021 | Monthly Magazine Home | 월간 집 | Lee Soo-jung | Cameo | |
| 2021 | Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha | 갯마을 차차차 | Kim Yeon-ok | Cameo | |
| 2022 | Juvenile Justice | 소년 심판 | Na Geun-hee | | |
| 2022 | Soundtrack #1 | 사운드트랙 #1 | Eun Su-mo | | |
| 2022 | Our Blues | 우리들의 블루스 | Jeong Eun-hee | | |
| 2022 | Yonder | 욘더 | Siren | | |
| 2022 | Little America | — | Sook-ja | Season 2 – (Ep. 1: Mr. Song) | |
| 2022–2023 | Missing: The Other Side | 미씽: 그들이 있었다 | Kang Eun-sil | Season 2 | |
| 2023 | A Bloody Lucky Day | 운수 오진 날 | Hwang Soon-gyu | | |
| 2023 | Daily Dose of Sunshine | 정신병동에도 아침이 와요 | Song Hyo-shin | | |
| 2024 | Miss Night and Day | 낮과 밤이 다른 그녀 | Lim-soon / older Lee Mi-jin | Main lead | |
| 2024 | The Frog | 아무도 없는 숲속에서 | Yoon Bo-min | | |
| 2024 | The Trunk | | Kwon Do-dam | Supporting Role | |
| 2024 | Light Shop | 조명가게 | Jung Yu-hee | | |
| 2025 | Knock-Off | 넉오프 | Park Ae-ja | | |

## Stage
### Musical

List of musical plays :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| Year | English | Original | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| 1997–2001 | Subway Line 1 [ko] | 지하철 1호선 | Grandma Gom-bo | Hakjeon Blue Theater Small Theater | — | |
| 2008 | Laundry [ko] | 빨래 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | Oriental Art Theater Hall 1 (Former Art Center K Square Theater) | 03.15–08.17 | |
| 2009 | Laundry [ko] | 빨래 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | Doosan Art Center Yeongang Hall | 4.28–6.14 | |
| 2009 | Laundry [ko] | 빨래 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | MBC Lotte Art Hall | 09.18–09.20 | |
| 2009 | Laundry [ko] | 빨래 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | The Eggs and Nuclear Small Theater | 08.29–12.31 | |
| 2011 | Good morning school ver.7 | 굿모닝 학교 ver.7 | Bong Gyeong-ja | Hakjeon Blue Small Theater | 11.11–12.25 | |
| 2012 | Laundry [ko] | 빨래 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | Maru Hall, Yongin Culture and Arts Center | 02.11–02.12 | |
| 2012 | Laundry [ko] | 빨래 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | Hakjeon Blue Theater Small Theater | 04.04–10.07 | |
| 2012–2013 | Assassin | 어쌔신 | Sarah Jane Moore | Doosan Art Center Yeongang Hall | 11.20–02.03 | |
| 2013 | Laundry [ko] | 빨래 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | Art One Theater 2 | 03.14–10.05 | |
| 2015 | Laundry [ko] - 10th Anniversary | 빨래 - 10주년 기념 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | Oriental Art Theater Hall 1 (Former Art Center K Square Theater) | June 10–14 | |
| 2016–2017 | Laundry [ko] | 빨래 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | Oriental Art Theater Hall 1 (Former Art Center K Square Theater) | 2016.03.10–2017.02.26 | |
| 2017 | An Eden hair salon in Eden | 에덴미용실 | Mom | Oriental Art Theater Hall 2 (Former Art Center K Semo Theater) | 11.07–12.31 | |

### Theater

List of theater plays :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| 1991 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | 한여름 밤의 꿈 | | | | |
| 1995–1996 | Chunpoong's Wife | 춘풍의 처 | | Dongsung Studio Theater | 3.3–4.14 | |
| 1995–1996 | Simbasame | 심바새메 | | | | |
| 1998–1999 | Magic Time | 매직타임 | | Batanggol Small Theater | 9.17–11.1 | |
| 1999 | Liar | 라이어 | | Batanggol Small Theater | 5.1–6.27 | |
| 1999 | Liar | 라이어 | | Batanggol Small Theater | 7.2–10.17 | |
| 2010 | Elimosineary | 엘리모시너리 | Dorothy | Arko Arts Theater Small Theater | 01.20–01.31 | |
| 2010 | Uncle Soonwoo | 순우 삼촌 | Jeong-mun | Sejong Center for the Performing Arts M Theater | 04.22–05.01 | |
| 2010 | Elimosineary | 엘리모시너리 | Dorothy | Miarigogae Arts Theater | 12.03–12.20 | |
| 2011 | The People of Jangseokjo | 장석조네 사람들 | Heung Nam-daek | Daehangno Theater of Art | 03.17–03.27 | |
| 2011 | 2011 World National Theater Festival - The People of Jangseokjo | 2011 세계국립극장페스티벌 - 장석조네 사람들 | Heung Nam-daek | National Theater of Korea Daloreum Theater | 09.14–09.17 | |
| 2011 | Mahoroba Corporation | 마호로바 | Midori | Yeonwoo Small Theater (Daehak-ro) | 09.01–09.25 | |
| 2012 | If I am with you | 너와 함께라면 | mother | KT&G Sangsang Madang Daechi Art Hall | 04.20–06.10 | |
| 2012–2013 | If I am with you | 너와 함께라면 | mother | Daehangno Sound Art Hall 1 | 07.06–03.03 | |
| 2015 | Sad Fate | 슬픈 인연 | Kim Soon-im | Myeong-dong Art Theater | 03.20–04.05 | |
| 2016 | A Feast | 잔치 | Byeonggilne | Namsan Arts Center Drama Center | 04.29–05.07 | |

## 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 |
| APAN Star Awards | 2021 | Best Supporting Actress | Once Again | Nominated |
| APAN Star Awards | 2022 | Excellence Award, Actress in an OTT Drama | Juvenile Justice | Nominated |
| Asia Artist Awards | 2019 | Focus Award | Lee Jung-eun | Won |
| Asia Artist Awards | 2019 | Choice Award | Lee Jung-eun | Won |
| Asia Artist Awards | 2019 | AAA Scene Stealer | Lee Jung-eun | Won |
| Asian Academy Creative Awards | 2022 | Best Actress in a Supporting role | Juvenile Justice | Nominated |
| Asian Film Awards | 2020 | Best Supporting Actress | Parasite | Nominated |
| Asian Film Critics Association Awards | 2020 | Best Supporting Actress | Parasite | Nominated |
| Asia Pacific Screen Awards | 2022 | Best Performance | Hommage | Won |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2019 | Best Supporting Actress – Television | The Light in Your Eyes | Won |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2020 | Best Supporting Actress – Film | Parasite | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2021 | Best Supporting Actress – Film | The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2024 | Best Supporting Actress – Television | A Bloody Lucky Day | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2024 | Most Popular Actress | Lee Jung-eun | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2019 | Best Supporting Actress | Parasite | Won |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2021 | Best Supporting Actress | The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Series Awards | 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | Juvenile Justice | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2019 | Best Supporting Actress | Parasite | Won |
| Buil Film Awards | 2021 | Best Supporting Actress | The Book of Fish | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2022 | Best Actress | Hommage | Nominated |
| Busan Film Critics Awards | 2019 | Best Actress | Parasite | Won |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2019 | Best Supporting Actress | Parasite | Won |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2021 | Best Supporting Actress | The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | Nominated |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2022 | Best Actress | Hommage | Nominated |
| Cine 21 Awards | 2019 | Best Actress | Parasite | Won |
| Critics' Choice Awards | 2020 | Best Acting Ensemble | Parasite | Nominated |
| Director's Cut Awards | 2019 | Best Actress | Parasite | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2020 | Best Supporting Actress | Parasite | Won |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2022 | Best Actress | Hommage | Nominated |
| IndieWire Critics Poll | 2019 | Best Supporting Actress | Parasite | 22nd place |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2019 | Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama | When the Camellia Blooms | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2020 | Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama | Once Again | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2020 | Best Couple Award with Chun Ho-jin | Once Again | Won |
| Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards | 2018 | Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama | Mr. Sunshine, Familiar Wife | Won |
| Korea First Brand Awards | 2019 | Scene Stealer Award, Actress | Lee Jung-eun | Won |
| London Asian Film Festival | 2022 | Best Actress | Hommage | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2017 | Golden Acting Award, Actress in a Weekend Drama | Bad Thief, Good Thief | Nominated |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2020 | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Motion Picture | Parasite | Won |
| Seoul Theater Festival | 2016 | Acting Award | Lee Jung-eun | Won |
| Scene Stealer Festival | 2021 | Bonsang "Main Prize" | Once Again | Won |
| Women in Film Korea Festival | 2022 | Best Actress | Hommage | Won |
| Young Drama Awards | 2008 | Best Actress | Laundry | Won |

### State honors

Name of country, year given, and name of honor :
| Country | Year | Honor | Ref. |
| South Korea | 2021 | Prime Minister's Commendation | |