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Model · South Korea

Lee Sung Kyung

이성경

10 Aug 1990
Born · age 36
176 cm · 5'9"
Height
2008
Active since
7
Screen credits

Lee Sung-kyung is a South Korean actress, model and singer who built her name on Cheese in the Trap and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo before returning as surgeon Cha Eun-jae across three seasons of Dr. Romantic.

Binge Brief

  • Born 10 August 1990 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
  • Started out as a model in 2008 before her 2014 acting debut in It's Okay, That's Love.
  • Won Best New Actress at the 2015 MBC Drama Awards and Artist of the Year at the 2018 Asia Artist Awards.
  • Left YG Entertainment in January 2025 after eleven years and signed with Fantagio in July 2025.
  • Plays cardiothoracic surgeon Cha Eun-jae across the second and third seasons of Dr. Romantic.

Lee Sung-kyung's TV Shows and Movies

Lee Sung-kyung's television shows run from her 2014 debut in It's Okay, That's Love through Flower of Queen, Cheese in the Trap and The Doctors, all inside a two-year stretch that established her as a lead rather than a supporting face. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, released in 2016, gave her the title role of a college weightlifter and remains the show most viewers name first. She returned to medical drama for Dr. Romantic, playing surgeon Cha Eun-jae across its second season in 2020 and third season in 2023, and more recently joined the ensemble crime drama The Nice Guy in 2025 opposite Lee Dong-wook.

Her movie work is smaller but distinct from her television roles: she dubbed a Korean-language part in the animated Trolls in 2017, played a supporting lead in the romance Love+Sling the following year, and starred alongside Ra Mi-ran in the 2019 action comedy Miss and Mrs. Cops as a police officer investigating a spy-cam case.

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Profile data

Identity
Stage name
Lee Sung Kyung
Native name
이성경
Nationality
South Korean
Gender
Female
Born and physical
Date of birth
10 August 1990
Age
36
Birthplace
Goyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea
Zodiac
Leo
Chinese zodiac
Horse
Height
176 cm (5'9")
Personal status
Marital status
Not married
Children
None
Reported pairings
Lee dated her Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo co-star Nam Joo-hyuk; YG Entertainment confirmed the relationship on 25 April 2017 and confirmed the couple had broken up on 22 August 2017.
Education
University
Dongduk Women's University, graduated 22 February 2016
Career timeline
2008
Began her career as a model, competing in the Super Model Contest.
2013
Featured as vocalist on The Papers' single "I Love You".
2014
Made her acting debut in the SBS drama It's Okay, That's Love.
2015
Won Best New Actress in a Special Project Drama at the MBC Drama Awards for Flower of Queen.
2016
Starred in Cheese in the Trap, The Doctors and took her first leading role in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.
2018
Won Artist of the Year and Best Emotive at the Asia Artist Awards.
2020
Joined the cast of Dr. Romantic 2 as cardiothoracic surgeon Cha Eun-jae.
2023
Named Damiani's Korea brand ambassador and Shiseido Prestige's brand ambassador, and returned for Dr. Romantic 3.
2025
Left YG Entertainment after eleven years and signed an exclusive contract with Fantagio.
Agency
Fantagio
Family
Father
Not disclosed
Mother
Not disclosed
Siblings
Younger sister Lee Sung-eun, a musical theatre actress; Lee has said she helped pay her sister's academy tuition.
Personality
Skills
Piano (majored in it before modeling), singing, runway modeling
Instruments
Piano
Data and sourcing
Portrait source
TMDB API
Rights holder
TMDB contributor upload, publicity image
Usage basis
Identification and commentary
Metadata source
TMDB, Wikidata, Wikipedia and editorial
Last updated
30 September 2026
Editor
DAW team
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About Lee Sung Kyung

Relationships and dating

Lee's only publicly confirmed relationship was with her Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo co-star Nam Joo-hyuk. YG Entertainment confirmed on 25 April 2017 that the two, who had been friends since their modeling days, had started dating. The agency confirmed on 22 August 2017 that the couple had separated, without giving a reason. Neither actor has confirmed a relationship since.

Military service

Not applicable. Lee is female and South Korea's compulsory service law applies to male citizens, so no service record exists to report.

Hobbies

  • Singing and Playing Piano: Lee Sung Kyung has a passion for music and enjoys singing and playing the piano. She occasionally shares song covers on social media, delighting fans with her musical talent.
  • Photography: She has an eye for aesthetics and enjoys capturing moments through photography. Lee often takes candid shots of nature, friends, and her daily life, showing her creative side.
  • Exercise and Fitness: Known for her fit physique, Lee enjoys various forms of exercise, including Pilates and yoga, which help her stay in shape and relieve stress.
  • Traveling: Lee loves traveling to different countries, immersing herself in new cultures and exploring famous landmarks. Her travels inspire her both personally and professionally.
  • Drawing and Painting: Lee Sung Kyung finds relaxation in sketching and painting. She considers it a therapeutic hobby that allows her to express herself creatively.

Interests

  • Fashion and Modeling: Having started her career in modeling, Lee maintains a strong interest in fashion. She keeps up with global trends and is known for her unique style, often appearing in high-profile fashion events.
  • Acting Techniques: She is committed to honing her craft and often studies various acting techniques. Lee is always seeking ways to improve and bring depth to her roles.
  • Vocal Training: Aside from acting, Lee is interested in music and often takes vocal training. She hopes to further explore her musical talents in the future, possibly combining her acting with music.
  • Health and Wellness: She has a keen interest in health and wellness, focusing on balanced nutrition and mental health practices. Lee believes in holistic well-being and frequently shares tips with fans.
  • Charitable Causes: Lee is passionate about giving back to society and supports various charitable organizations. She is particularly involved in causes related to children’s education and animal welfare.

Facts

  • First Model to Transition to Acting at YG Entertainment: Lee was the first model signed by YG Entertainment to successfully transition into acting, setting a trend for models pursuing acting careers.
  • Talented Vocalist: Apart from her acting skills, Lee is a singer and has participated in OSTs and special performances.
  • Close Friendship with Kim Go Eun: She is known to be close friends with actress Kim Go Eun. The two often support each other’s projects and have been seen vacationing together.
  • Won Numerous Rookie Awards: Following her acting debut, she received several “Best New Actress” awards.
  • Multi-Lingual: Lee Sung Kyung has studied English and frequently uses it during interviews. She is also learning Japanese.

Funny moments

  • Accident-Prone on Set: Lee Sung Kyung often jokes about her clumsiness on set, accidentally bumping into props or tripping over things, bringing laughter to her co-stars.
  • Mimics Friends’ Expressions: She has a funny habit of mimicking her friends’ facial expressions and accents, especially when retelling stories, which often leaves everyone laughing.
  • Adores Silly Dance Moves: Lee loves dancing, but she’s known for her quirky, silly moves that make everyone laugh. She doesn’t take herself too seriously, which adds to her charm.
  • Fear of Horror Movies but Watches Anyway: Despite her fear, Lee Sung Kyung occasionally watches horror movies with friends, often covering her eyes and screaming at the scary parts.
  • Playful Prankster: Known for her humor, she sometimes plays light-hearted pranks on her co-stars, making funny faces or hiding small items, bringing a playful atmosphere to the set.

Fears and dislikes

  • Public Speaking: Despite her confidence on-screen, Lee feels nervous when it comes to speaking in front of large crowds, often preferring to keep her statements brief at public events.
  • Fear of Heights: Lee Sung Kyung has a fear of heights, which makes certain scenes in her acting career challenging. She tries to overcome this fear but avoids high places when possible.
  • Rejection: As a perfectionist, Lee fears not meeting expectations and disappointing her fans. This fear drives her dedication but also adds pressure to her career.
  • Discomfort in Social Gatherings: As an introvert, she sometimes feels uncomfortable in large social settings and prefers smaller, intimate gatherings with close friends.
  • Deep Water: The vastness of open water, particularly the ocean, makes her anxious. She enjoys beaches but stays close to the shore, avoiding deep waters whenever she can.

Commercials and endorsements

Shiseido named Lee the ambassador for its Shiseido Prestige skincare line in Korea on 24 February 2023, building a campaign around the Red Cycle collection. Damiani followed on 19 December 2023, naming her the jeweller's brand ambassador in Korea and featuring her in a campaign for its Belle Époque and Margherita collections.

Sports and fitness

Lee has said her exercise routine is built on frequency rather than intensity, telling W Korea in 2022 that even ten minutes a day matters more than an occasional hard session. Five years earlier she described a routine centred on core exercises to keep her metabolism up, paired with home-cooked meals rather than skipped ones, since she has said that starving before a meal only leads to overeating at the next one.

Musical instruments

Lee has played piano since she was seven and has said she once majored in it and hoped to become a pianist before modeling worked out instead. Her piano playing has surfaced on Korean variety television, and in 2018 she performed several of the vocal tracks for the musical drama About Time herself.

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Music

Separated by how they appear on the track: soundtrack vocals, music-video appearances, live stages.

Year Track or appearance Credited as Kind
2013 I Love You With The Papers Single
2016 My Lips like Warm Coffee Feat. with Eddy Kim Single
2017 True Colors With Park Hyung-sik OST
2017 Get Back Up Again Solo OST
2018 My Only One Person Solo OST
2018 I Am What I Am Solo OST
2018 Tomorrow Will Be a Better Day! Solo OST
2021 Love With Loco Single
2023 Eat Sleep Live Repeat With Lee Chan-hyuk Single

Lee Sung Kyung shows and movies

Frequently asked questions

What TV shows has Lee Sung-kyung starred in?

Lee Sung-kyung's television shows include Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, Cheese in the Trap, The Doctors and the second and third seasons of Dr. Romantic.

Has Lee Sung-kyung appeared in any movie?

Lee Sung-kyung's movie credits include the 2019 action comedy Miss and Mrs. Cops and the 2018 romance Love+Sling, alongside her television work.

Does Lee Sung-kyung have a husband?

Lee Sung-kyung has no husband. She has never married, and no engagement has been announced by her or her agency.

How tall is Lee Sung-kyung?

Lee Sung-kyung's height is recorded as 175 to 176 cm (about 5'9") across her agency's own listing and Korean press profiles.

Who was Lee Sung-kyung's boyfriend?

Lee Sung-kyung's only confirmed boyfriend was her Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo co-star Nam Joo-hyuk. The two began dating in April 2017 and YG Entertainment confirmed they had broken up by August of the same year.

How old is Lee Sung-kyung?

Lee Sung-kyung's age is worked out from her birth date, 10 August 1990, making her 36 as of September 2026.

What new drama does Lee Sung-kyung have coming up?

Lee Sung-kyung's new drama credits after Dr. Romantic 3 include The Nice Guy in 2025 and In Your Radiant Season in 2026.

Awards and nominations

Every ceremony on record, most recent first. Where we hold a record for the work, it links to it.

Year Ceremony Category For Result
2026 Asia Star Entertainer Awards Best Character (Actress) Won
2023 SBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Seasonal Drama Dr. Romantic 3 Won
2023 SBS Drama Awards Best Supporting Team Dr. Romantic 3 Won
2020 SBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Action Drama Dr. Romantic 2 Won
2020 Asia Model Awards Model Star Award Won
2019 Chunsa Film Art Awards Special Popularity Award Miss and Mrs. Cops Won
2018 Asia Artist Awards Artist of the Year Won
2018 Asia Artist Awards Best Emotive Won
2016 MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo Won
2015 MBC Drama Awards Best New Actress in a Special Project Drama Flower of Queen Won
2014 CFDK Fashion Awards Best Female Fashion Model of the Year Won

Frequently worked with

Counted from shared credits across the database, most shared titles first.

The photo is shown through the TMDB API and is used only to identify the person. Personal details come from public sources named on this page. Private life appears only where the person or their agency has said it publicly, with the date. Last updated 30 September 2026.