Lee Dong-gun

Lee Dong-gun made his debut in the entertainment industry in 1998 as a singer, but he would later gain fame as an actor, starring in television dramas such as Sweet 18, Lovers in Paris, and Stained Glass.[1][2]

Lee took a break from acting in 2005, claiming he felt overwhelmed with his workload in both television and film.[3] He resumed his work in 2006, with Smile Again.

During a fan meeting event in Japan held on 5 December 2005, Lee announced the release of his first photobook which also included a making-of DVD, poster and postcard. The success of Lovers in Paris along with promotions for his new film My Boyfriend Is Type B helped to increase his popularity in Japan.[4][5]

Lee participated in the Hallyu Expo in Asia on Jeju island which commenced on 28 November 2006 and spanned a total of 100 days. This large-scale event was intended to promote Korean culture across Asia and expected to bring in 150,000 tourists to stimulate the local economy.[6][7] He also attended the sequel to the Hallyu Expo which was held in Japan titled FACE in Japan Premium Event. This two-day event from 14 to 15 August 2007, featured Korean celebrities with large fanbases and was intended as a cultural exchange program between Korea and Japan.[8]

Lee released a 14-track album titled My Biography in 2008, his first full-length album in a decade.[9] It included 6 Korean songs, 6 Japanese songs and 2 instrumentals. It was first released in Japan before becoming available in Korea.[10] The same year, he starred in the television series Night After Night alongside Kim Sun-ah,[11] and starred alongside an ensemble cast in the romance film Love Now.[12]

In December 2011, three months prior to the completion of his mandatory military service, Lee signed with talent agency Mask Entertainment.[13][14] After the termination of his contract with Mask Entertainment,[15][16] Lee signed with FNC Entertainment in November 2012.[17][18]

In 2013, Lee was cast in the lead role for the time-travel romance Marry Him If You Dare.[19] This was followed in 2015 by the titular role in cable series Super Daddy Yeol, which was based on the webtoon of the same name.[20][21] In 2016, Lee starred in the family drama The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop.[22] He also starred in his first Chinese drama, Hello Mr. Right alongside actress Guan Xiaotong.[23]

In the historical drama Queen for Seven Days, Lee impressed viewers with his a wide range of emotions and acting performance with his role as the tyrannical Joseon ruler Yeonsangun.[24] He then starred in action drama Sketch, playing a member of a special operations command who seeks revenge for the death of his wife;[25][26] and slice-of-life drama Where Stars Land.[27]

In 2019, Lee was cast in the fantasy romance drama Angel's Last Mission: Love.[28]

On 20 March 2008, Lee's 19-year-old brother Lee Joon-yub, a student at the University of Sydney, was fatally stabbed during a brawl with two Chinese teenage gang members at Hungry Jack's in World Square, Sydney.[29] The victim's friend, 22-year-old Song Jung-ho, was critically injured but survived.[30] Lee flew to Sydney to identify his brother's body and attend a requiem mass at the Chapel of St. John's College; after cremation, his family brought back Lee Joon-yub's ashes to Seoul.[31]

• 1998: Wandering Stars (방황하는 별들)

• Lee Dong-gun on Facebook (in Korean)
• Lee Dong-gun at HanCinema
• Lee Dong-gun at IMDb
• Lee Dong-gun at the Korean Movie Database