Lee Byung-hun

Biography:

Lee Byung-hun (born July 12, 1970) is a renowned South Korean actor known for his versatile performances in various genres. His breakthrough came with the film Joint Security Area (2000), followed by notable roles in All In (2003), A Bittersweet Life (2005), The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008), I Saw the Devil (2010), Masquerade (2012), and the TV series Iris (2009) and Mr. Sunshine (2018). He won Best Actor awards for Inside Men (2015), and has featured in several high-grossing films in South Korea, such as Joint Security Area, The Good, the Bad, the Weird, and Master.

In the U.S., Lee gained international recognition for portraying Storm Shadow in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) and G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), as well as roles in Red 2 (2013), Terminator Genisys (2015), and The Magnificent Seven (2016). He was the first South Korean actor to present an Oscar at the Academy Awards and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Lee’s rise to fame began in 1991 after his debut in Asphalt My Hometown, followed by a string of successful dramas and films.

He received widespread acclaim for his role in I Saw the Devil (2010), Masquerade (2012), and Inside Men (2015). Lee’s film career continued with major roles in The Fortress (2017) and Ashfall (2019), while his TV appearances in Mr. Sunshine and Squid Game solidified his status as a global star.

Lee has also made significant contributions in the entertainment industry, including founding BH Entertainment, managing actors like Han Hyo-joo and Go Soo. He has been involved in charitable work, including promoting tourism for California and representing the Grand Bell Awards.

On a personal note, Lee struggled with financial difficulties and mental health issues following his father’s death but found support through his wife, actress Lee Min-jung, whom he married in 2013. They have two children, a son born in 2015 and a daughter born in 2023.