Lee Jong-suk

For the politician, see Lee Jong-seok.
This is a Korean name; the family name is Lee.
Lee Jong-suk

Lee Jong-suk at the 2013 Vogue Fashion's Night Out
Born September 14, 1989
Nationality  South Korea
Ethnicity Korean
Education Konkuk University
Occupation Actor, Model
Years active 2005–present
Agent Wellmade Yedang
Korean name
Hangul 이종석
Hanja 李鍾碩
Revised Romanization I Jong-seok
McCune–Reischauer Yi Chongsŏk
Website
LeeJongSuk.co.kr

Lee Jong-suk (이종석, born 14 September 1989) is a South Korean actor and model.[1] He debuted in 2005 as a runway model,[2] and began his acting career in the 2009 Short Film Sympathy.[3] In 2013, Lee ranked respectively in fifth place according to a survey entitled 'Actors Who Lit Up 2013' by Gallup Korea, one of the most recognized awards in Korea for the entertainment industry.[4] He is best known for his leading roles in School 2013 (2012), I Can Hear Your Voice (2013), Doctor Stranger (2014) and Pinocchio (2014)

Early life

Lee Jong-suk stood at the age of 15 on the Seoul Collection catwalks, becoming the youngest male model in 2005.[5] During those years he worked as a model, he was praised by many as "a model who had the image of a boy and a grown man coexisting inside him".[6] Before debuting as an actor, he prepared to debut as an idol group member. He stated that he prepared as an idol group member for three months and had signed with the agency because it said it would help him act, but it didn’t keep its promise so he quit.[7]

Lee Jong-suk, who majored in Professional Motion Pictures Art at South Korean Konkuk University, took part in a selection for actors at SBS TV station when he was currently in middle school. He participated in acting activities as one of the SBS 7th open recruiting actors.[8]

Career

2010 – 2012: Acting career beginnings

In 2010, Lee made his official acting debut in the South Korean TV series titled Prosecutor Princess. The same year he had a supporting role in the popular drama Secret Garden where he played a talented young composer with a surly attitude and a forbidden crush on the second male lead, Oska played by Yoon Sang-hyun.[9] Lee caught people's eyes with his tall, charming appearance as well as his natural acting abilities.

In 2011 September, Lee appeared in MBC's High Kick Season 3 in which he portrayed the character An Jong Seok, who is involved in a complicated love square with Baek Jin Hee, Yoon Kye Sang and Kim Ji Won.[10][11]

After his first acting experience in the horror movie Ghosts, Lee did star in the film R2B: Return to Base as a main character in his first flight movie. He played an important role with Rain appearing as part of a team of F-15K pilots. It is a remake of the original 1964 Korean Film Red Scarf set during the Korean War.[12][13][14][15]

2012 – 2013: Rising popularity

2012 became his breakout year thanks to his first lead role as Go Nam Soon, a lost high school student, in the drama School 2013.[16] He received his first award for the role as Go Nam Soon during the KBS Drama Awards 2012 in the category "Best New Actor".[17] Furthermore he hosted the ceremony together with Yoo Jun-sang.[18]

Following the success of School 2013, Jong-suk starred in the popular and acclaimed drama I Can Hear Your Voice with Lee Bo-young,[19] where he played Park Soo Ha, an intelligent young man who could read minds.[20] According to the related personnel from the drama:

“ Sooha lives in a world that is a little more chaotic/noisy than ours, surrounded by his impactful past and his special fist love. We intend to explore how he uses his special abilities among the complicated web of character relationships.[20] ”

This ability allowed him to help her solve her cases, as well as fight against a murderous criminal who holds a grudge against them.[21] Furthermore he reunited in the drama with Yoon Sang-hyun who portrayed Oska in Secret Garden.[22] Originally the drama was set for 16 episodes, but due to its successful ratings the series was extended by 2 episodes.[23] I Can Hear Your Voice gave him outstanding recognition, and became his most well-known work to date. He received the "Excellence Award"[24] in the male category award during the Korea Drama Awards for his role in SBS television series I Can Hear Your Voice as well as the "Best Couple Award" together with Lee Bo-young.[25]

Furthermore he was one of the lead actor in the movie No Breathing with Seo In-guk and Kwon Yuri from Girls' Generation.[26] He portrayed the character Woo Sang who is an ambitious, young swimmer chasing with a big future ahead of him and always strives to be #1.[27]

2014 – present: Doctor Stranger and rising popularity in China

In 2014, he starred in the movie Hot Young Bloods with Park Bo-young. The movie is set in an agricultural town in Chungcheong back in the 1980s and focuses on the lives and loves of several high school students.[28] It's Lee's second film as the lead and he plays for the new again a high school student; this time a popular playboy.[29]

He also took the lead role in the popular medical drama, Doctor Stranger in the same year. In the drama he plays Park Hun, an intelligent doctor who came from North Korea, but who gets shunned because of his background.[30] In China, the online streaming rights for drama were sold for $80,000 per episode, furthermore the drama was made available for online streaming on both Youku and Tudou where it received 330 million and 50 million views, respectively.[31] It was predicted that "Doctor Stranger" will get approximately 600 million views by the time the drama finishes up, Lee Jong Seok's previous drama, I Can Hear Your Voice, has surpassed 350 million views on YouKu as of July 2014.[32] Due to the drama's success in China it was planned to edit the drama into a film and release it theatrically exclusively in China with an alternate ending.[33][34] Lee Jong Suk has become so popular in China that he is called one of the "Fantastic Four of Hallyu". The other three actors are Kim Soo-hyun, Lee Min-ho and Kim Woo-bin.[35]

On September 11, 2014 Lee Jong Suk was confirmed to star in Pinocchio as the lead male role alongside actress Park Shin-hye. He will play the role of Choi Dal Po who is a first year reporter at a broadcasting company.[36] His character is described to have a handsome appearance, but his ugly clothing and hair style make people unaware of his nice physical attributes. His character is said to have excellent memory and speaks well.[37]

Philanthropy

Since November 2013 Lee Jong-suk uses his voice to help the blind as the New Ambassador for the 'Good Library Project'. He is lending his face and voice to Standard Chartered Bank's project. The project gets people to donate their voices to reading books for recording so that blind people may also enjoy their stories.[38] In the same year he endorsed the hat knitting campaign of "Save The Children Korea,"[39] which is a campaign that makes hats for the children who are suffering from hypothermia in Africa and Asia.[40]

Filmography

Television shows

Year Title Role Network
2010 Prosecutor Princess Lee Woo-hyun SBS
Secret Garden Han Tae-sun
2011 High Kick: Revenge of the Short Legged Ahn Jong-suk MBC
2012 When I Was The Prettiest Yoon Jung-hyuk KBS
School 2013 Go Nam-soon
2013 I Hear Your Voice Park Soo-ha SBS[41]
2014 Doctor Stranger Park Hoon
Pinocchio Choi Dal-po/ Ki Ha Myung

Films

Year Title Role Film Production
2009 Sympathy Lee Han-sol CJ Capital Investment
2010 Ghost Baek Hyun-wook CJ Entertainment　　 　　
2012 As One Choi Kyung-sub
R2B: Return to Base First Lieutenant Ji Seok-hyun
2013 The Face Reader Jin-hyeong, Nae-gyeong's son Showbox
No Breathing Woo Sang 9ers Entertainment[42]
2014 Hot Young Bloods Joong Gil Lotte Entertainment

Variety shows

Year Title Role Network Notes
2010 Strong Heart Himself/Guest SBS Episode 63–64
2012 Happy Together KBS Episode 245
Episode 260
Strong Heart SBS Episode 131–132
The Music Trend Himself/MC
2013 Running Man Himself/Guest Episode 138
Real Mate in AUS QTV Episode 1–2
Hwasin SBS Episode 16
2014 Running Man Episode 181
Rain Effect Mnet Episode 5

Discography

Music videos

Year Title With Notes
2009 I Don't Care 2NE1
2011 Don't Play Around CHI CHI
2012 Lost Nicole Jung Korean Version[43]
Japanese Version

Runway Shows

Year Show Notes
2005 Guangzhou Designer’s Biennale 　　 Designer Jang Kwang-hyo
F/W Seoul Collection Designer Lee Jin-young
2006 S/S SFAA Designer Jang Kwang-hyo, Lee Jin-young
2006/2007 F/W Seoul Collection Kim Yoo-sik, Park Jong-chul, Son Sung-geun, Lee Young-joon　
2007 SFAA Designer Jang Kwang-hyo, Park Jong-chul, Lee Joo-young, Sohn Joo-young, BON, Han Seung-soo and others 　
S/S Levi’s Show (P/T) 　
The 23rd Korea Best Dresser Kim Young Sae Show
S/S Seoul Collection Designer Park Jong-chul, Son Sung-geun,Lee Joo-young, Lee Jin-yoon, Jang Kwang-hyo, Han Sang-hyuk and others
Konkuk University Graduation Fashion Show
Dongduk Women’s University Graduation Fashion Show
2007/2008 F/W SFAA Designer Park Jong-chul, XESS, BON, Park Hae-rin, Kim Kyu-sik, Kwak Hyun-hoo, Hong Eun-hoo and others
2007/2008 F/W Spris Show 　　
2007/2008 S/S SFAA collection Designer Kim Kyu-sik 　
2008 Sangmyung University Graduation Fashion Show　
2008–2009 F/W Habenormal Fashion Park So-young, Yum Mi
F/W BON Exclusive Collection Han Sang-hyuk
2009 Gangnam Fashion Festival Kim Kyu-sik Show
S/S Seoul Collection Beyond Closet
S/S Seoul Collection Go Tae-young, Kwak Hyun-joo, Kim Si-yang, Song Hye-myung
2009–2010 F/W SFAA Han Hye Ja
F/W Seoul Collection Go Tae-young, Kwak Hyun-joo, Park Sung-cheol, Park Hye-rin, Lee Young-joon, Lee Hyun-chan
2010 S/S XESS “Line or Circle” Seoul Collection [44]
2010 S/S Seoul Fashion Week: D.Gnak Designer Kang D.
2010/2011 F/W Seoul Collection Park Sung-cheol, Jung Doo-young, Choi Bum-suk
2011 S/S XESS ”Line or Circle” Seoul Collection [45]
S/S General Idea Designer Choi Bom-seok
2013/2014 A/W Solid Homme 25th Anniversary RE:BORN Designer Woo Young-mi [46]

Endorsements and commercials

Year Product Notes
2009 Ivy Club
Levi’s MYMUI
2011 TBJ
SK-II Pitera Essence
The Body Shop: White Musk
Make Up For Ever: Rouge Artist Natural
Biotherm Homme: T-PUR
SKONO
EZIO
2012 Jambangee [47]　　
Tetra Pak Korea ‘Take-out Milk Campaign [48]　　
2013 Trugen [49]　　 with Kim Woo-bin
Jambangee [50] with Park Shin-hye
Cass Beer [51] with Kim Woo-bin
SKONO [52]
NarangD Cider [53]
Coffee & Biatti
Nongshim Shrimp Crackers [54]
ASICS [55] with Ha Ji-won
OLLEH ALL-IP [56] with Lee Bo-young
Skin Food [57]
OK Cash Bag [58]
Poko Pang [59]
2014 Skin Food [60]
MilkCow Ice Cream [61] with Ko Joon-hee
New ASICS [62]
G By Guess [63] with Kang Minkyung
Semir (China) [64]　
Caffe Bene (Vietnam)
The Shilla Duty Free Shops
Oakley, Inc. first Korean model [65]　
Lock & Lock model for China
2015 Skin Food [60]
Semir (China) [64]　
The Shilla Duty Free Shops
Oakley, Inc. first Korean model [65]　
Lock & Lock model for the Korea,Mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam & Indonesia [66]　
Millet Sport with Park Shin-hye
MVIO House (Korea & China)
BBQ Chicken with Bae Suzy

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2012 KBS Drama Awards Best New Actor School 2013 Won
2013 7th Mnet 20's Choice Awards 20's Drama Star – Male Nominated
6th Korea Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor I Can Hear Your Voice Won
Best Couple Award with Lee Bo-young Won
6th Style Icon Awards The 21st Century Gentleman Won
21st Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards Best Actor Won
2nd APAN Star Awards Excellence Award, Actor Won
Best Couple Award with Lee Bo-young Won
SBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Won
Top 10 Stars Won
Best Couple Award with Lee Bo-young Nominated
2014 9th Asia Model Festival Awards Model Star Award N/A Won
50th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor (TV) I Can Hear Your Voice Nominated
Most Popular Actor (TV) Nominated
9th Seoul International Drama Awards People's Choice Actor Nominated
7th Korea Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Doctor Stranger Nominated
7th Style Icon Awards Top 10 Style Icons N/A Nominated
27th Grimae Awards Best Actor Pinocchio Won
SBS Drama Awards SBS Special Award Pinocchio, Doctor Stranger Won
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special Pinocchio Nominated
Top 10 Stars Won
Netizen Popularity Award Nominated
Best Couple Award with Park Shin-hye Won
2015 Soompi Awards Best Actor (TV) Pinocchio Won

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Lee Jong-suk emerging as new Asian star". koreatimes.co.kr. 2014-05-28. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  2. ↑ "이종석 런웨이 선다 ‘4년만에 모델 복귀’". newsen.com. 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  3. ↑ "Artists: 이종석 LEE JONG SUK". Wellmade Yedang Co. Ltd. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  4. ↑ "Newlyweds Lee Bo Young and Ji Sung rank #1 and #2 in survey for ‘Actors Who Lit Up 2013’". star.mt.co.kr. 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
  5. ↑ "SEOUL FASHION WEEK 2013". Seoulfashionweek.org. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  6. ↑ "Models rushing to small screen". koreatimes.co.kr. 2014-03-21. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
  7. ↑ "Lee Jong Seok Says He Can’t Call Himself an Actor Yet". mwave.interest.me. 2012-09-02. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
  8. ↑ "이종석-손동운 건국대 정시모집 합격…네티즌 "얼굴만 잘 생긴게 아니었네"". news.nate.com. 2011-02-01. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
  9. ↑ "이보영 이종석 윤상현,SBS 수목극 '너의 목소리가 들려' 출연". news.naver.com. 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  10. ↑ "HighKick3 – 韩国电视剧 – 韩剧网". Hanjuw.com. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  11. ↑ "MBC 일일시트콤 하이킥! 짧은 다리의 역습 메인 페이지". Imbc.com. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  12. ↑ "Rain and Sin Se-kyeong's "Red Muffler" cranks in on the 15th @ HanCinema :: The Korean Movie and Drama Database". Hancinema.net. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  13. ↑ "Still cuts released from Rain's new movie, "Red Muffler"". allkpop.com. 2011-03-18. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ "[Interview Part I] The Pretty Boy Lee Jong Seok Takes a Turn with ‘R2B’". Enewsworld.mnet.com. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  16. ↑ "The Top Ten Breakout Stars Of 2013". kdramastars.com. 2013-12-06. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  17. ↑ "Big Winners of 2012 Announced at Drama Awards Ceremonies of Major Broadcasters". 10Asia. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  18. ↑ Jun, Ji-young (2 January 2013). "2012 KBS Drama Awards". KBS Global via Oh! K-pop. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  19. ↑ "Lee Bo-Young and Lee Jong-Suk take adorable photos in school uniforms". Asia Today. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 ""I Can Hear Your Voice" Supernatural Boy Lee Jong Suk, first stills released". news.donga.com. 2013-05-16. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  21. ↑ Yun, Chloe (20 May 2013). "Lee Jong-suk turns into a supernatural mind reader?". BNTNews. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  22. ↑ "이보영 이종석 윤상현,SBS 수목극 '너의 목소리가 들려' 출연". news.naver.com. 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  23. ↑ Lee, Eun-ah (17 July 2013). "Lee Jong-suk's I Can Hear Your Voice Extended by 2 Episodes". TenAsia. Retrieved 2013-07-17.
  24. ↑ "Lee Jong-suk, Kim Dong-wan and Seo Hyeon-jin receive awards". tvdaily.mk.co.kr. 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
  25. ↑ "Lee Bo-yeong wins the Grand Award and Best Couple Award!". news.sportsseoul.com. 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
  26. ↑ "New Romcom BLOOD BOILING YOUTH Kicks Off Production". Koreanfilm.or.kr. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  27. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk and Seo In Guk to team up as swimmers in upcoming film ‘No Breathing’". pkdance via AllKpop. April 18, 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  28. ↑ "Lee Bo-Young and Lee Jong-Suk take adorable photos in school uniforms". news.naver.com. 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
  29. ↑ "'Hot Young Bloods' coming soon". koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com. 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  30. ↑ "Lee Jong-suk to start in "Doctor Stranger"". koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com. 2014-02-05. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  31. ↑ "'Doctor Stranger' gets nearly 400 million views in China". english.yonhapnews.co.kr. 2014-07-07. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  32. ↑ "Lee Jong Seok's popularity in China growing endlessly". en.starnnews.com. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  33. ↑ ""Doctor Stranger" Goes From A Drama To A Film With Political Implications". kdramastars.com. 2014-07-28. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
  34. ↑ "New Korean drama series sells for $120,000 per episode in China". koreaherald.com. 2014-07-04. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
  35. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk Is Becoming An Even Bigger Hallyu Star In China". kpopstarz.com. 2014-06-12. Retrieved 2014-06-28.
  36. ↑ "Actor Lee Jong Suk Confirmed to Star in "Pinocchio" Alongside Park Shin Hye". www.soompi.com. 2014-09-11. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  37. ↑ "Newsroom drama Pinocchio secures rookie reporter cast". dramabeans.com. 2014-09-12. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  38. ↑ "이종석 미술관 데이트 포착, 미모의 여인과 무슨일?". news.nate.com/. 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  39. ↑ "신생아살리기 모자뜨기클럽". savethechildren.kr. 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  40. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk Endorses Save the Children Korea’s Hat Knitting Campaign". 24-7kpop.com. 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  41. ↑ 이종석, '너의 목소리가 들려' 출연..초능력 소년 (in Korean). star.mt.co.kr. 2013-04-24.
  42. ↑ 이종석·서인국, 영화 '노브레싱' 국가대표 수영선수 된다 (in Korean). star.mt.co.kr. 2013-04-18.
  43. ↑ "[Video] Kara’s Nicole is ‘Lost’ in Love with Lee Jong Seok in MV". Enewsworld.interest.me. 2012-11-28. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  44. ↑ "XESS COLLECTION 2010 S/S1.wmv". YouTube. 2010-01-21. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  45. ↑ "XESS '2011 S/S SEOUL COLLECTION". YouTube. 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  46. ↑ "Lee Jong Seok Returns to the Runway as a Model". Enewsworld.interest.me. 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  47. ↑ "Actor Lee Jong Suk Chosen As a Jean Model, 'Chic Charisma'". kpopstarz.com. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  48. ↑ Kang Jung-yeon (2012-09-21). "What does Lee Jong suk do in his private time". bntnews.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  49. ↑ "[화보] 이종석-김우빈, 교복벗고 수트입어도 '핫한 두 친구'". news.naver.com. 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  50. ↑ "Park Shin Hye shows off her figure in denim for 'Jambangee' jeans". allkpop. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
  51. ↑ Hong, Grace Danbi (14 March 2013). "Kim Woo Bin and Lee Jong Seok Reunite as Cass Models". enewsWorld. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
  52. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk on SKONO". 2013-05-27. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk Narangd Cider CF 60s". 2013-05-27. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  54. ↑ "Lee Jong suk selected as CF model for Shrimp Crackers". enewsWorld. 2013-04-09. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  55. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk gets taped to the wall by Ha Ji Won for 'ASICS'". allkpop.com. 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  56. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk & Lee Bo Young @ Olleh All-IP CF". Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  57. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk, Skin Food". Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  58. ↑ "이종석(Lee jong suk) – OK cashbag(OK 캐시백) #2". Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  59. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk – Pokopang CF". Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 "Lee Jong Suk, Skin Food Photo Shoot 'Flawless Skin'". Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  61. ↑ "Actors Lee Jong Suk and Go Jun Hee Endorse "Milk Cow" Ice Cream". Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  62. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk ASICS 2014 F/W Very Berry TVC". Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  63. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk and Kang Min Kyung sport matching couple looks for 'G by GUESS'". Retrieved 2014-08-16.
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 Jo Yeon Kyung (2014-08-04). "Lee Jong Suk Becomes New Face of Chinese Casual Brand ‘Semir’". mwave.interest.me. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 "Lee Jong Suk becomes the first Korean model for Oakley brand". sports.donga.com. 2014-11-10. Retrieved 2014-11-15.
  66. ↑ "Lee Jong Suk selected as a new advertisement model of 'LOCK&LOCK' in Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia & Vietnam". Retrieved 2015-03-26.