Lee Je Hoon
Info
🙂 Native Name: 이제훈 (Lee Je Hoon)
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: July 4, 1984
🏠 Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Cancer
📏 Height: 1.76 m
💍 Spouse: None (currently single)
👶 Children: None
Biography
Lee Je Hoon, born on July 4, 1984, in Seoul, South Korea, is a renowned actor who made his mark in both independent and mainstream Korean cinema. Initially, he pursued a degree in Biotechnology at Korea University, but soon discovered his passion for acting, prompting him to transfer to the Korea National University of Arts. He began his career in indie films, starring in more than 18 student shorts and independent films between 2006 and 2010. His breakout role came in the 2011 critically acclaimed indie film Bleak Night, where he played a manipulative high school student, earning him wide recognition.
In 2012, Lee’s mainstream popularity soared with his performance in Architecture 101, a box-office hit that positioned him as a rising star in Korean cinema. He portrayed a shy college student pining for his first love, a role that resonated deeply with audiences. The same year, he starred in The Front Line, where he played a morphine-addicted squad leader during the Korean War. Both films showcased his versatility and further cemented his status as a leading actor.
After completing his mandatory military service from 2012 to 2014, Lee returned to the screen with the period drama Secret Door (2014) and the critically acclaimed thriller Signal (2016). His portrayal of Park Hae-young, a detective who communicates with a profiler from the past through a mysterious walkie-talkie, garnered rave reviews. Signal became a major success, making Lee Je Hoon a household name in Korean television. The drama also earned him several awards and nominations, including a Grand Prize at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
In recent years, Lee has continued to take on diverse and challenging roles. In 2021, he starred in the popular action-thriller Taxi Driver, playing a vigilante taxi driver who avenges victims of crimes the law cannot address. The drama was both a commercial and critical success, leading to a second season in 2023. That same year, he also impressed viewers with his emotional performance in Move to Heaven, where he played an ex-convict turned trauma cleaner. Beyond acting, Lee Je Hoon has expanded his talents into directing and producing, founding his own production company, Company On, in 2021.
Hobbies
- Photography: Lee Je Hoon is an avid photographer. He enjoys capturing moments during his travels and downtime on set, often sharing his shots on social media.
- Traveling: Lee loves exploring new places and cultures. He even starred in the travel reality show Traveler, where he traveled through Cuba with fellow actor Ryu Jun-yeol.
- Reading: He has mentioned his love for reading books, particularly on philosophy and history, which help him deepen his acting craft.
- Cooking: Though not often discussed, Lee enjoys cooking for himself and his close friends. He has shown his culinary skills on a few variety shows.
- Watching Films: Lee frequently watches films, both to relax and to study acting techniques. He enjoys watching films from a wide range of genres.
Interests
- Independent Cinema: Having started his career in indie films, Lee continues to hold a strong interest in independent filmmaking and often supports smaller film projects.
- Acting Methodologies: Lee is deeply invested in different acting techniques and constantly seeks to improve his skills by studying various methodologies.
- Philanthropy: Lee is passionate about giving back. He has donated to various causes, including wildfire relief efforts in South Korea and international causes like helping refugees.
- Directing and Producing: In recent years, Lee has taken an interest in directing and producing, founding his own production company, Company On, where he can create meaningful content.
- Music: Though not a professional musician, Lee enjoys listening to a wide range of music genres and has shown an interest in musical projects related to film soundtracks.
Facts
- Education: Lee originally studied Biotechnology at Korea University but later transferred to the Korea National University of Arts to pursue his passion for acting.
- Military Service: He completed his mandatory military service between 2012 and 2014 as part of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s riot police unit.
- Breakout Role: His breakout role was in the indie film Bleak Night (2011), where he played a troubled high school student, which earned him critical acclaim.
- Voice Acting: Lee lent his voice to Jack Frost in the Korean version of the animated film Rise of the Guardians (2012).
- Company On: In 2021, Lee founded his own production company, Company On, through which he plans to explore directing and screenwriting in addition to acting.
Secrets
- Avoids Public Relationships: Lee Je Hoon has never publicly revealed any romantic relationships, choosing to keep his private life extremely guarded.
- Introverted Nature: Though he plays confident characters on screen, Lee is known to be quite introverted and prefers spending time alone or with close friends.
- Fear of Rejection: Lee has mentioned in interviews that he often worries about being rejected for roles and is critical of his own performances.
- Never Smoked: While preparing for a role, Lee attempted to smoke for the first time in his life but ended up fainting after just a few takes, showcasing his commitment to method acting.
- Struggles with Fame: Despite his popularity, Lee Je Hoon sometimes finds the attention overwhelming and prefers leading a quiet, low-profile life when not working.
Funny Things
- Fainted While Smoking: During the filming of a role that required smoking, Lee Je Hoon fainted after several takes, as he had never smoked before and wasn’t used to it.
- Awkward Around Co-stars: Despite his charming on-screen presence, Lee has admitted in interviews that he sometimes feels awkward around his co-stars, especially when filming romantic scenes.
- Practical Joker: Lee enjoys playing pranks on set to lighten the mood, often surprising his co-stars with his playful side.
- SISTAR’s Dasom’s Ideal Type: In 2013, K-pop idol Dasom from SISTAR publicly declared Lee Je Hoon as her ideal type, which led to playful banter between the two in the media.
- Unexpected Dance Moves: Though not a professional dancer, Lee Je Hoon surprised fans with his unexpected and quirky dance moves during variety show appearances.
Fears
- Public Speaking: Despite his acting career, Lee Je Hoon has admitted that he feels nervous during public speaking events, especially when accepting awards.
- Failure: Like many perfectionists, Lee is deeply afraid of failure, often pushing himself to perform beyond expectations in every role he takes.
- Height Phobia: Lee has a mild fear of heights, making some of his action scenes in films and dramas more challenging.
- Loss of Privacy: Lee values his privacy and has a deep-seated fear of losing control over his personal life due to his fame.
- Letting Fans Down: Lee often worries about disappointing his fans, particularly with roles or projects that don’t meet their high expectations.
News
Health Scare in 2023: In October 2023, Lee Je Hoon was hospitalized and underwent emergency surgery due to ischemic colitis, a condition caused by reduced blood flow to the colon. This health issue forced him to withdraw from the Busan International Film Festival and halt filming for his drama Chief Detective 1958. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and Lee is now recovering at home.
Founding Company On: In 2021, Lee Je Hoon launched his own production company, Company On, after his contract with his previous agency ended. This move marked his venture into directing and producing, allowing him to explore creative roles behind the camera.
Philanthropic Contributions: Lee has been actively involved in philanthropy. In March 2022, he donated 100 million won to help victims of the Uljin wildfire in South Korea. He continues to support various causes and organizations, such as the Korea Film Academy, where he donates to support aspiring filmmakers.
Breakthrough with Signal: Lee’s performance in the critically acclaimed drama Signal (2016) was a turning point in his career. The role of a detective who communicates with the past earned him widespread recognition and solidified his status as a top actor in the Korean entertainment industry.
Iconic Role in Taxi Driver: Lee Je Hoon’s role in Taxi Driver (2021) as a vigilante taxi driver who avenges victims of injustice became a massive hit. The show was so successful that it led to a second season in 2023, making it one of the standout projects in his career.
TV Drama
Movies
Music / OST
Lee Je Hoon is not widely recognized for a formal music career. However, his strong connection to the entertainment industry has led to his involvement in music-related projects, such as lending his voice for the Korean dub of Rise of the Guardians, where he portrayed the character of Jack Frost. This experience showcased his ability to engage with music and sound in a professional capacity.
Moreover, while he hasn’t pursued a traditional music career, Lee has displayed a strong appreciation for music through his roles in musical films. For instance, in My Paparotti (2013), Lee played a young gangster with a hidden talent for singing opera. The film’s narrative revolves around his character’s dream of becoming a professional singer, which required Lee to engage deeply with music and vocal performance. Though he did not sing professionally in real life, his portrayal was highly praised for its authenticity and emotional depth.
In interviews, Lee has also expressed a personal interest in music, enjoying it as a hobby and frequently attending concerts and listening to various genres. However, his primary focus remains on acting, and he has not released any music independently or pursued a singing career beyond his film roles.
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