Lee Na-young

Lee Na-young
Lee in 2026
Born (1979-02-22) February 22, 1979
Hapjeong-dong, Mapo District, Seoul, South Korea
EducationShingu University (Majoring in Business)
OccupationActress
Years active1998–present
AgentEden 9
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Spouse
​
(m. 2015)​
Children1
Korean name
Hangul
이나영
RRI Nayeong
MRI Nayŏng
WebsiteOfficial website

Lee Na-young (Korean: 이나영; born February 22, 1979) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her leading roles in television series such as Ruler of Your Own World (2002), Ireland (2004) and Romance Is a Bonus Book (2019), as well as the films Someone Special (2004) and Maundy Thursday (2006). Aside from acting, Lee is also known for appearing in numerous commercials.[1]

Career

Lee Na-young began her modeling career in a Jambangee Jeans TV commercial in 1998, then made her acting debut that same year.[2] Following supporting roles in 1999 television dramas Did We Really Love?, KAIST,[3] and Queen,[4] Lee starred in the tepidly received 2001 Hong Kong sci-fi action film Dream of A Warrior starring Leon Lai.[5] She also appeared in the 2001 music video for "Catherine's Wheel" by Britpop band Rialto.[6][7]

But Lee rose to fame in 2002 with the critically acclaimed series Ruler of Your Own World.[8] She played an indie rock musician who unexpectedly falls for a terminally ill grifter, and Lee and her fellow cast members were praised for their realistic, nuanced acting.[9] She later reunited with Ruler of Your Own World screenwriter In Jung-ok for Ireland, a 2004 drama about a Korean adoptee who journeys to her homeland, but its reception was less positive.[10]

During this time, Lee had become one of the top-ranked and highest-paid commercial models, endorsing diverse products such as cosmetics (notably Laneige and Lancôme), electronics, clothing lines, beverages, food, telecommunications, and construction companies.[11][12][13] Lee later became the first Korean to appear on the cover of fashion magazine W Korea, for its November 2009 issue.[14]

But unlike her graceful and glamorous public persona in advertisements, her image in film has been the opposite, with Lee choosing to portray women who are awkward and eccentric.[15] In 2002, she starred in the cyber romance Who R. U.? as an introverted character similar to her role in Ruler of Your Own World.[16][17][18] Lee then played a quirky, English-challenged civil servant in Kim Sung-su's comedy film Please Teach Me English (2003) and the harmless stalker of a struggling baseball player in Jang Jin's romantic comedy Someone Special (2004).[19][20] She won several Best Actress prizes for Someone Special, notably from the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards.[21]

Lee again drew praise in 2006, this time for her dramatic chops in Maundy Thursday, Song Hae-sung's film adaptation of Gong Ji-young's novel Our Happy Time about a suicidal rape victim who develops a close bond with a death row inmate.[22] She next played an emotionally tormented sleepwalker in Kim Ki-duk's Dream (2008), and nearly died while filming a scene where her character hangs herself.[23]

Lee in 2010

In 2010, Lee headlined Lady Daddy, playing a trans woman photographer whose life is disrupted with the sudden arrival of a young boy who claims that she's his biological father.[24][25][26] To promote the film, she made a guest appearance in the sitcom High Kick Through the Roof.[27][28] Lee then returned to television with the big-budget action-mystery series The Fugitive: Plan B, in which she performed her own action scenes without a stunt double.[29][30]

When Lee's contract with talent agency KeyEast expired in 2011 (she had signed with KeyEast in 2006, and with the William Morris Agency in 2009), she joined Eden 9 Entertainment.[31][32][33] In 2012, she starred in Yoo Ha's suspense thriller Howling, about a veteran detective (played by Song Kang-ho) who teams up with a female rookie (Lee) to solve a series of murders involving a mysterious wolfdog.[34][35][36]

In 2013, Lee appeared in a minor role in the two-part Japanese film SPEC: Close. She then played an actress having a secret romance with a boom operator in Sad Scene; it was among the three short films in the omnibus Woman, Man commissioned by W Korea for its 10th anniversary in 2015.[37]

In 2018, Lee returned to the silver screen with the North Korean refugee drama Beautiful Days,[38] which premiered at the 23rd Busan International Film Festival.[39][40][41]

In 2019, Lee returned to the small screen after nine years by starring in the romance comedy drama Romance Is a Bonus Book alongside Lee Jong-suk.[42][43][44] She played a main character named Kang Dan-yi who is a new temporary worker of book publishing company.

In 2026, Lee starred in ENA's mystery legal thriller television series Honour alongside Jung Eun-chae and Lee Chung-ah.[45] It is based on the Swedish television series Heder which evolves around a 20-year-old secret that the three lawyer friends buried, which resurfaces and throws their lives into chaos.[46]

Personal life

Lee married actor Won Bin on May 30, 2015, in a small, private ceremony in a wheat field near an inn in Won's hometown, Jeongseon County, Gangwon Province, South Korea.[47][48] The couple belong to the same talent agency, Eden 9, and reportedly began dating in August 2012 (though the agency only confirmed the relationship in July 2013).[49][50] A press release from Eden 9 on December 19, 2015, announced that Lee had given birth to the couple's first child, a son.[51]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1999EijiMae-hwaJapanese film
2001Dream of a WarriorShosho
2002Who R. U.?Seo In-joo
2003Please Teach Me EnglishNa Young-ju
2004Someone SpecialHan Yi-yeon
Sweet Homeshort film
Leaving Me, Loving You(cameo)Hong Kong film
2006Maundy ThursdayMoon Yu-jeong
2008DreamRan
2010Lady DaddyJi-hyeon
2012HowlingCha Eun-young
2013SPEC: CloseWoman who speaks KoreanJapanese film
2015Woman, Mansegment: "Sad Scene"
2018Beautiful DaysMother

Television series

Year Title Role Notes
1998One Day SuddenlySo-hee, a ghost(bit part)
Three Guys and Three Girls(bit part)
MBC Best Theater:
"What Was I to You?"
1999KAIST
Did We Really Love?Kang Jae-young
MBC Best Theater:
"Goodbye Audrey Hepburn"		one act-drama
QueenOh Soon-jung
Magic CastleHong Yoon-hee[52]
Love Story:
"Message"		So-young[53]
2000Cool FriendsBroadcasting writer Lee Na-young[54]
2002Ruler of Your Own WorldJeon Kyung
2004IrelandLee Joong-ah
2009High Kick Through the RoofLee Na-bongCameo (episode 85)
2010The Fugitive: Plan BJini
2019Romance Is a Bonus BookKang Dan-yi
2026Honour[55]Yoon Ra-young

Web series

Year Title Role Ref.
2023 One Day Off Park Ha-kyung [56]

Music video appearances

Year Song title Artist
1998"Kiss Me"Park Jin-young
"The Last Lie"Yoon Sang
"Miracle"Kim Dong-ryool feat. Lee So-eun
2000"Only You Wouldn't Know"As One
"My Love"Im Chang-jung
2001"Catherine's Wheel"Rialto
"Goodbye, My Love"Jo Sung-mo
2006"Eternal Love"Lee Seung-chul

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2002MBC Drama AwardsExcellence Award, Actress in a MiniseriesRuler of Your Own WorldWon [57]
2003 39th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actress (TV)Nominated
2004 25th Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest Leading Actress Someone SpecialWon
12th Chunsa Film Art AwardsBest ActressWon [58]
5th Women in Film Korea AwardsWon [59]
MBC Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, ActressIrelandNominated
Popularity Award, ActressWon [60]
20066th Korea Advertisers AssociationGood Model AwardN/aWon [61]
27th Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest Leading ActressMaundy ThursdayNominated
20071st Korea Broadcast Advertising Festival - Model AwardsBest Partner AwardN/aWon [62]
41st Taxpayer's DayPrime Minister's CommendationN/aWon [63]
2010KBS Drama AwardsExcellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length DramaThe Fugitive: Plan BNominated
2023 59th Grand Bell Awards Best Actress in a Series One Day Off Nominated [64]

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Forbes 2011 Korea Power Celebrity 40 24th [65]
Korean Film Council 2021 Korean Actors 200[a] Included [66][67]

Notes

  1. ↑ Introduces 200 actors that best represent the present and future of Korean cinema to the people in the film industry all over the world

References

  1. ↑ "LEE Na-young". Korean Film Biz Zone. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  2. ↑ "[STAR★미니다큐] (11) 이나영, 안방-스크린-CF서 반짝반짝". Sports Chosun (in Korean). 8 October 2007. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  3. ↑ 이나영·이규한 SBS 〈카이스트〉합류. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 25 February 2002. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "연기 재미에 푹 빠졌어요"..SBS '퀸'의 오순정역 이나영씨. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). 10 August 1999. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  5. ↑ Kim, Hee-kyeong (16 February 2001). "Dream of A Warrior a sci-fi love story". The Dong-A Ilbo. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  6. ↑ "Rialto to Perform in Seoul". The Chosun Ilbo. 8 January 2001. Archived from the original on 5 March 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  7. ↑ Joe, Yong-hee (15 January 2001). "British Pop Band With a Particular Warmth for Korea". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  8. ↑ <네 멋대로 해라>의 양동근, 이나영, 공효진. Cine21 (in Korean). 7 August 2002. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  9. ↑ Naldi, V.X. "Ruler of Your Own World (2002, MBC miniseries)". Koreanfilm.org. Archived from the original on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  10. ↑ '아일랜드', "이나영의, 이나영에 의한, 이나영을 위한 드라마". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 31 August 2004. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "Jeon Ji-hyun Cedes Advertising Power to Jang Dong-gun". The Chosun Ilbo. 30 March 2007. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  12. ↑ "Yu-na Most Favored CF Model". The Korea Times. 22 April 2009. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  13. ↑ "Lancôme Picks Lee Na-young as Its Face in Korea". The Chosun Ilbo. 8 August 2013. Archived from the original on 24 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  14. ↑ "Lee Na-young becomes 1st Korean on W cover". 10Asia. 19 October 2009. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  15. ↑ Sunwoo, Carla (22 February 2012). "Lee Na-young unfazed by questions about age, marriage prospects". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  16. ↑ <연합인터뷰>「후아유」의 이나영. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 2 May 2002. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  17. ↑ "Interview: Actress Lee Na-young (Part 1)". 10Asia. 14 January 2010. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  18. ↑ "Interview: Actress Lee Na-young (Part 2)". 10Asia. 14 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  19. ↑ "'English' translates into laughter". The Korea Times. 29 October 2003. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  20. ↑ "'A Woman I Know - Someone Special' Shows Even Oddballs Fall in Love". The Korea Times. 24 June 2004. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  21. ↑ "Silmido Takes Best Picture at Blue Dragon Awards". The Chosun Ilbo. 30 November 2004. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  22. ↑ "Happy Hours and Two Complex Stars". The Chosun Ilbo. 6 September 2006. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  23. ↑ "Top Stars Join KIM Ki-duk's 15th Feature". Korean Film Biz Zone. 8 January 2008. Archived from the original on 24 May 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  24. ↑ Lee, Hyo-won (5 January 2010). "Actress Lee Shows Off Handsome Look". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  25. ↑ "Lee Na-young turns man in film Lady Daddy". 10Asia. 5 January 2010. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  26. ↑ "Lee Na-young Takes on Transgender Part". The Chosun Ilbo. 16 January 2010. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  27. ↑ "Lee Na-young preps on the set of High Kick 2". 10Asia. 20 January 2010. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  28. ↑ "Lee Na-young, Choi Daniel on the set of High Kick 2". 10Asia. 20 January 2010. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  29. ↑ "Lee to play opposite Rain in new drama". The Korea Times. 16 June 2010. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  30. ↑ Oh, Jean (27 September 2010). "Comeback kids amp up TV thriller". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  31. ↑ "Lee Na-young signs with Hollywood agency". The Korea Herald. 2 April 2009. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  32. ↑ "Actress Lee Na-young leaves KEYEAST". 10Asia. 6 April 2011. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  33. ↑ "Actress Lee Na-young joins new agency". 10Asia. 2 August 2011. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  34. ↑ "Lee Na-young tracking serial killers?". Korea JoongAng Daily. 2 January 2012. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  35. ↑ "Lee Na-young Faces Tough Challenge on New Movie". The Chosun Ilbo. 11 February 2012. Archived from the original on 24 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  36. ↑ Lee, Claire (8 February 2012). "Howling: Portrait of the minority". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  37. ↑ 이나영, 우문기 감독 단편영화 '슬픈 씬'으로 활동 재개. TenAsia (in Korean). 25 February 2015. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  38. ↑ "LEE Na-young Chooses Indie Title for Comeback Role". Korean Film Biz Zone. 28 August 2017. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  39. ↑ "Lee Na-young's New Film to Open Busan Int'l Film Festival Next Month". The Chosun Ilbo. 22 September 2018. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  40. ↑ "[INTERVIEW] In 'Beautiful Days,' Lee Na-young turns hurt into hope". The Korea Times. 18 November 2018. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  41. ↑ "Lee Na-young makes a big return with 'Beautiful Days': The actor plays a North Korean defector in her first film in six years". Korea JoongAng Daily. 15 November 2018. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  42. ↑ "Lee Na-young returns to small screen with rom-com after 9 years". Kpop Herald. 15 October 2018. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  43. ↑ "Lee Na-young and Lee Jong-suk to show romance in publishing industry in new rom-com". Kpop Herald. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  44. ↑ "Lee Na-young to Appear in Rom-Com Series with Lee Jong-suk". The Chosun Ilbo. 22 January 2019. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  45. ↑ Kim, Ji-hye (September 2, 2025). 이나영X정은채X이청아, '아너' 캐스팅 확정..강렬한 女 서사 예고 [Lee Na-young, Jung Eun-chae, and Lee Chung-ah confirmed for 'Honour'... A powerful female narrative is expected]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  46. ↑ Ahn, Byeong-gil (February 2, 2026). ‘아너:그녀들의 법정’ 오늘 첫방, 이나영X정은채X이청아의 관전포인트 [Honor: Their Court premieres today, with Lee Na-young, Jung Eun-chae, and Lee Chung-ah's key points to watch]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Actor Won Bin ties knot with actress Lee Na-young". The Korea Herald. May 31, 2015. Archived from the original on May 31, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  48. ↑ "Won Bin's Quiet Countryside Wedding Strikes Chord". The Chosun Ilbo. June 2, 2015. Archived from the original on April 23, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  49. ↑ Yoon, Min-sik (July 3, 2013). "Won Bin, Lee Na-young dating: agency". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Won Bin, Lee Na-young confirm they're a couple". Korea JoongAng Daily. July 4, 2013. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  51. ↑ Jackson, Julie (20 December 2015). "Won Bin, Lee Na-young welcome first child". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  52. ↑ <인터뷰>「마법의 성」주연 이나영. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 18 November 1999. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  53. ↑ 송지나 극본 SBS '러브 스토리', 'TV영화' 형식 시도. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 25 February 2002. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  54. ↑ 유재석 이나영 12년 전 그들은..시트콤 속 풋풋 매력(무한도전). Newsen (in Korean). 28 July 2012. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  55. ↑ Kim, Ji-hye (September 2, 2025). 이나영X정은채X이청아, ‘아너’ 캐스팅 확정..강렬한 女 서사 예고 [Lee Na-young, Jung Eun-chae, and Lee Chung-ah confirmed for 'Honour'... A powerful female narrative is expected]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  56. ↑ Kang Hyo-jin (September 15, 2022). 이나영, 드라마 '박하경 여행기'로 복귀…'삼토반' 감독 연출 [Lee Na-young to return to drama 'Park Ha-kyung's Travels'... Directed by the director of 'Samtoban] (in Korean). spoTV News. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022 – via Naver.
  57. ↑ "'2002 MBC 연기대상'에 장서희". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 31 December 2002. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  58. ↑ "When I Turned Nine unexpected winner of Chunsa Film Art Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. 25 November 2004. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  59. ↑ 이나영, 올해의 여성영화인 연기상. Star News (in Korean). 17 December 2004. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  60. ↑ "고두심, '2004 MBC 연기대상' 대상 수상". Star News (in Korean). 31 December 2004. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  61. ↑ 이나영, 장동건 광고주가 뽑은 좋은 모델상-2006 한국광고주대회. Herald POP (in Korean). 12 October 2006. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  62. ↑ '쇼를 하라' 2007 대한민국 방송광고 페스티벌 3관왕(종합). Star News (in Korean). 18 September 2007. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  63. ↑ 이나영 "모범 납세자라니 쑥스럽네요". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 5 March 2007. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  64. ↑ Oh, Seung-hyun (October 24, 2023). 송강호·이병헌→송혜교·한효주 '대격돌'…대종상, 수상 후보자 발표 [Song Kang-Ho - Lee Byung-Heon → Song Hye-Kyo - Han Hyo-Joo 'Daejong'...Daejong Awards announces nominees] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Naver.
  65. ↑ "Celebrity list 40". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021 – via Joins.
  66. ↑ 조선일보 (2021-01-18). "[공식] 영화진흥위원회, 韓배우 200인 선정..'Korean Actors 200' 해외 홍보 나선다". 조선일보 (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  67. ↑ "KOREAN ACTORS 200". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
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