Kyeon Mi-ri

Kyeon Mi-ri is a South Korean actress and singer. She is best known for her role as the antagonist Lady Choi in the hit period drama Jewel in the Palace.

Career

Kyeon Mi-ri graduated from Seoul Traditional Arts High School in 1983, then studied Dance at Sejong University. She made her acting debut in 1984, and has since become active in television dramas, most notably as the arrogant and ambitious Lady Choi in the 2003 period drama Dae Jang Geum (or Jewel in the Palace), which was a hit not only in Korea but throughout Asia.

In 2009, she ventured into the music industry and released her first album titled Happy Women, consisting of mainly trot songs.

Personal life Kyeon married actor Im Young-gyu in 1987, and they divorced in 1993.

Kyeon remarried in 1998, to businessman Lee Hong-heon. They have one son, Lee Ki-baek. Lee Hong-heon legally adopted Kyeon's two daughters from her first marriage, and they took on his surname; Lee Yu-bi and Lee Da-in are both actresses. Kyeon is also a part of the Hwanggan Kyeon clan, which makes her a descendant of Kyŏn Hwŏn, who was the first king of the Hubaekje kingdom, during the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea.

In 2009, Kyeon was investigated for stock manipulation, with her husband Lee suspected of insider trading. She had bought 55,000 shares worth of the bioengineering startup FCBTwelve, then raked in up to , making her the fourth biggest stock holder among entertainment celebrities at the time. Kyeon denied any wrongdoing, saying she was simply an investor.

In April 2023, Kyeon will donate Lee Da-in's wedding congratulations as a donation for the disabled and vulnerable children through a partnership with the Korea Association for Information Technology for the Disabled as a token of appreciation for guests who attended and congratulated the wedding.

Filmography

Television Cutout depicting Kyeon Mi-ri as Lady Choi on display at the Dae Jang Geum Theme Park.

Film Year Title Role 1988 Dangerous Scent (Married Couple) Ji-sook 1989 I Want to Cry 2009 Running Turtle Detective Jo's wife

Theater Year Title Role 1994 남편을 죽이는 서른가지방법

Discography Album informationTrack listingHappy Women Released: July 21, 2009 Label: LOEN Entertainment

Awards Year Award Category Nominated work1988 MBC Drama Awards Best New Actress Queen Inhyeon MBC Entertainment Awards Best Newcomer 2005 SBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama Love and Sympathy 2007 Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama Golden Bride 2008 42nd Tax Payer's Day Commendation (given by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance)