Lee Sung-min

Lee Sung-min (; born December 4, 1968) is a South Korean actor. He first gained recognition for his supporting roles in television and film. He is best known for his performances in the series Golden Time, Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014), and Reborn Rich (2022), winning Best Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards for the latter two works.

Lee has also received critical acclaim for his role in the espionage film The Spy Gone North (2018), for which he won several Best Actor awards. His other notable films include The Sheriff in Town (2017), The Witness (2018), The Man Standing Next (2020), and Handsome Guys (2024).

Early life Lee Sung-min was born on October 15, 1968, in Dochon, a small village located between Bonghwa and Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province. During his early years, his family frequently moved across the country, including Seoul and Gangwon, due to his father's relocations. He eventually returned to his hometown of Bonghwa in the fourth grade of elementary school, where he completed his middle and high school education. Afterward, he left Bonghwa again to pursue higher education at Daegu Science University.

Reflecting on his past, Lee credits his father for paving the way for his acting journey. His father, enjoyed watching movies with his son. Despite Bonghwa lacking movie theaters at the time, they frequently visited the two cinemas in nearby Yeongju. As valued customers, they would eagerly rush to see new releases. Lee recalls, "I still vividly recall the movies like King Kong and Bruce Lee that I watched with my father during my childhood."

Lee crossed paths with his future wife in the play B Unso. She was the choreographer for the play. Their encounter marked a turning point in his life, as Lee went on to achieve remarkable milestones. In 2001, Lee joined the play produced by theater group Yeoninmudae titled Pig Hunt. The play received the top prize (Presidential Award) at the 19th National Theater Festival, jointly organized by the Korea Arts and Culture Promotion Agency (Director Kim Jeong-ok) and the Korean Theater Association (Chairman Choi Jong-won). As a result, Pig Hunt received a prize of 20 million won and invited to the Seoul Performing Arts Festival held in October. The director of this work, Han Jeon-gi, and the lead actor, Lee Sung-min, received the Best Director Award and the Best Acting Award, respectively.

2002–2012: Seoul transition and expanding roles In 2002, despite being in his mid-thirties, Lee made a tough decision to leave his wife and daughter in Daegu and venture alone to Seoul. Determined to pursue a career as an actor, he yearned to test and validate his skills in Daehangno, the heart of the Korean theater industry. Encouragement from those around him further pushed him to embark on the journey to Seoul. At that time, Lee made a promise to his family, saying, "I will give it a try for three years, and if things don't work out, I will return."

He also ventured into the film industry. He started with minor roles, and in 2004, he made an appearance as Loan Shark Gangster 1 in the film Father And Son: The Story Of Mencius, which led to a growing recognition of his talent in supporting roles. During his time working on the film in 2004, alongside Son Hyun-joo, he was recommended for a role in a television drama. Actor Ahn Jae-wook, who was the lead in the drama Oh Feel Young, even adjusted his schedule to accommodate Lee Sung-min's theater commitments. Lee subsequently made a breakthrough as a supporting actor in various films and dramas, including portraying characters such as Choi Man-ri, a scholar in The King's Letters, a pop columnist in Go Go 70s, and a chief prosecutor in The Unjust. However, during the audition, when asked if he was close to Song Kang-ho, Lee honestly replied, "We're not close." As a result, Lee didn't pass the audition. Later, when Song Kang-ho asked him, "Why didn't you say we were close?" Lee reportedly responded, "To be honest, we weren't really close."

In 2010, Lee gained significant attention for his portrayal of restaurant manager Seol Joon-seok in the MBC drama Pasta. Despite the character's unlikeable traits, Lee's performance as a villain who was hard to hate. He continued to appear in dramas such as Gloria, Listen to My Heart, films A Little Pond, and play The Story of Nulgeun the Thief. The drama's title, derived from Go terminology, signifies "an incomplete life," reflecting the essence of not yet being fully alive. Misaeng made history as the first Korean drama to be filmed on location in Jordan, with Lee and Yim Si-wan shooting the series's prologue in Amman, Petra, and Wadi Rum. The series became a cultural phenomenon, achieving remarkable viewership ratings for a cable network program in South Korea. Lee received accolades for his portrayal of working professional Oh Sang-sik, earning him Best Actor awards at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards and the 2016 tvN10 Awards.

In early 2016, Lee debuted as the lead character in the film portraying Hae-kwan. The film follows Hae-kwan's desperate search for his daughter, lost in Daegu in 2003, which leads him to an AI satellite robot with global sound memory. Aided by the robot, he tracks his daughter's voice, and they form an unforgettable bond. Jeon Hye-jin, also a Chaimu member, played Hae-kwan's wife. Lee's performance drew praise from Elizabeth Kerr of The Hollywood Reporter, who stated: "Sori is at its strongest when it focuses on Hae-kwan and the surprising onion-layer style discoveries he makes about the daughter he was sure he knew (played by Chae Soo-bin in flashback). Lee balances regret and disbelief effortlessly, and makes the man's sadness real without tipping into histrionics."

Two years later, Lee made his first appearance on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival with the movie The Spy Gone North (2018). His acting received critical acclaim and earned him multiple awards, including Best Actor at the Buil Film Awards, Grand Bell Awards, Korean Film Critics Association Awards, and Director's Cut Awards. His accolades continued in 2019 when he won the Best Actor award in the film category at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards. He was widely noted for his portrayal of a first-generation chaebol dedicated to maintaining his company position. Critics highlighted his use of the Gyeongsang dialect and a raspy voice adapted for the character. His performance and the character's subsequent departure were frequently discussed among viewers and critics regarding the shift in the drama's focus. In 2023, he received the Best Actor award in the TV category at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards.

Personal life Lee's wife was a contemporary dance major who also served as the director overseeing the choreography for one of his performances in Daegu. Initially, Lee didn't have a favorable impression of her because she came across as strict and serious. However, after the show, Lee began receiving frequent phone calls and mistakenly believed they were regarding the choreography fee. With no money to spare, he attempted to at least share a meal, but to his surprise, his future wife took the initiative and contacted him first, asking if it would be all right to go out together. This marked the beginning of their dating journey. Eventually, they got married with a modest cost of only 2 million won. Shortly after tying the knot, they had a daughter, and Lee had to shoulder the responsibility of supporting their livelihood solely through his income.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2001 Black & White Thief 1 Independent film 2004 Father and Son: The Story of Mencius Loan shark 1 Bit part My Mother, the Mermaid Fruit store owner Flying Boys Mr. Kim 2005 Marathon Jung-wook's friend Boy Goes to Heaven Detective 2006 Silk Shoes Sung-cheol Seducing Mr. Perfect Director Yang 2007 Secret Sunshine Chef Bit part Wide Awake Sang-woo's father 2008 The Good, the Bad, the Weird Cook Bit part Go Go 70s Lee Byung-wook 2009 The Pot Dong-shik Triangle President Lee Byeong-joon 2010 A Little Pond Kkoo-ri's father Bestseller Editor Ma Dae-yoon Troubleshooter Yoon Dae-hee The Unjust District Attorney Cafe Noir Mi-yeon 1's husband 休(휴) Mr. Kim Short film 2011 Officer of the Year Detective Jo The Cat Bi-dan's papa Cameo Dreaming of Romance Seung-hwan Short film 2012 Howling Gu Young-cheol Eighteen and Nineteen OB/Gyn doctor Cameo All About My Wife Director Na Cameo 2013 My Little Hero Kang Hee-seok The Attorney Lee Yoon-taek 2014 Venus Talk Lee Jae-ho Broken Jang Eok-gwan Kundo: Age of the Rampant Dae-ho My Brilliant Life Family doctor Cameo Big Match Choi Young-ho 2015 The Piper Village chief Sori: Voice From the Heart Hae-gwan 2016 A Violent Prosecutor Woo Jong-gil Familyhood Joo Min-ho Cameo 2017 The Sheriff in Town Dae-ho Real Choi Jin-gi 2018 What a Man Wants Seok-geun The Spy Gone North Ri Myung-woon The Witness Sang-hoon The Drug King Seo Sang-hoon Cameo 2019 Hit-and-Run Squad Min-jae's adoptive father Cameo The Beast Jeong Han-soo Black Money Choi Yong-wook Cameo 2020 Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP Tae-ju The Man Standing Next President Park 2021 The 8th Night Park Jin-soo Miracle: Letters to the President Tae-yoon 2022 Hunt Jo Won-sik Cameo Remember Pil-Joo 2023 The Devil's Deal Kwon Soon-tae The Moon Hwang Kyu-tae Cameo 12.12: The Day Jeong Sang-ho 2024 Handsome Guys Kang Jae-pil 2025 No Other Choice Koo Beom-mo Boss Im Dae-soo Special appearance

Television series Year Title Role Notes 2004 Oh Feel Young Inspector Park MBC Best Theater "Brother Is Back" Il-do 2005 MBC Best Theater "Loveholic Project" Manager Kim 2006 Hello God Detective Cameo (episode 1–2) Special Crime Investigation: Murder in the Blue House Ha Doo-gil Cameo (episode 2–3) 2007 Lucifer Hwang Dae-pil Legend of Hyang Dan Byun Hak-do Drama City "Catch the Water Vein" Director 2008 The Great King, Sejong Choi Man-ri On Air PD Song Soo-chul Working Mom Kang Chul-min Terroir Multi-level staff member Cameo (episode 3, 8) 2009 Can Anyone Love Heo Se-dol Partner Han Joon-soo Cameo (episode 13) Triple Director Jung Hometown Legends "Silent Village" Jinsa Yoon Hot Blood Yang Man-cheol 2010 Pasta Seol Joon-seok Gloria Son Jong-bum KBS Drama Special "Last Flashman" Jo Won-shik MBC Best Theater "We Teach Love" Park Yong-dae 2011 My Princess Lee Young-chan Listen to My Heart Lee Myung-gyun KBS Drama Special "Identical Criminals" Kang Dae-woo A Thousand Days' Promise Seo-yeon's boss Cameo (episode 1) Brain Go Jae-hak 2012 Just an Ordinary Love Story Kim Joo-pyeong Drama Special Series The King 2 Hearts King Lee Jae-kang Golden Time Choi In-hyuk Arang and the Magistrate Gatekeeper Cameo (episode 20) KBS Drama Special "Culprit Among Friends" Detective Park Cameo 2013 When a Man Falls in Love Gangster boss Kim Dae-kwang Cameo (episode 1–2, 4) Monstar Movie director Kwon Tae-hyun Cameo (episode 1) Miss Korea Teacher Jung 2014 Big Man High-ranking executive Cameo Misaeng: Incomplete Life Oh Sang-shik 2015 Hogu's Love Chief Oh Cameo (episode 1) Splendid Politics Yi Deok-hyeong 2016 Memory Park Tae-Suk Entourage Himself Cameo (episode 16) 2020 Money Game Heo Jae Soul Mechanic Doctor Cameo (episode 3) 2022 Juvenile Justice Kang Won-joong Narco-Saints Fishing boat captain Voice cameo Shadow Detective Kim Taek-rok Season 1–2 Reborn Rich Jin Yang-cheol 2023 A Bloody Lucky Day Oh Taek 2024 The Tyrant Ja-gyeong's adoptive father Cameo (episode 4) 2025 The Queen Who Crowns Lee Seong Gye Special appearance Nine Puzzles Do Yoon-su Cameo 2026 Teach You a Lesson Choi Gang-seok

Theater Musicals

Plays Year Title Role Venue Date Notes English Korean 2001 Pig Hunt 돼지사냥 Bang,Chairman Gu Dongsoong Art Center Small Theater Oct 4–26 2002 Oxygen 산소 Grand Theater of the Pohang Culture and Arts Center August 10–12 stage manager 2003 There 거기 Lee Chun-bal Dongsoong Art Center Small Theater Jan 7 to Feb 23 2003 Pig Hunt 돼지사냥 Bang,Chairman Gu Dongsoong Art Center Small Theater Sep 19 to Oct 26 2003 Bieonso 비언소 Strange man Dongsoong Art Center Small Theater Nov 4 to Dec 28 2004 The Story of the Thief 양덕원 이야기 Kwan-woo Arts Theater of The Korea Culture and Arts Promotion Agency February 25 to March 14 2005 Korea Fantasy 마르고 닳도록 Seoul Arts Center Jayu Small Theater December 1 to 17 2006 There 거기 Lee Chun-bal JTN Art Hall 2 May 3 to June 25, 2006 Shear Madness 쉬어 매드니스 Chief Na Do-sikDetective Ma Daehakro Arts Center Hall 2 Nov 11 2007 Shining City 샤이닝 시티 Ian Hanyang Repertory Theater Mar 1 to Apr 8 Byun - A Grotesque Comedy 변 - A Grotesque Comedy Byeon Sang-do Arko Arts Theater Small Theater Aug 31 to Sep 14 2010 Bieonso B언소(蜚言所) Strange man Daehangno Art One Theater Hall 3 Chaimu Theater Feb 5 to May 2 The Story of the Thief 양덕원 이야기 Kwan-woo Daehangno Art One Theater Hall 3 Chaimu Theater May 7 to Jul 4 2011 The Story of the Thief 늘근도둑 이야기 Kwan-woo Yes24 Art One Hall 3 February 11, 2011 to

Accolades Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2012 Acting Award, Actor Golden Time 2015 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Misaeng: Incomplete Life 2023 Reborn Rich, Shadow Detective Baeksang Arts Awards 2013 Best Actor – Television Golden Time 2015 Misaeng: Incomplete Life 2019 Best Actor – Film The Spy Gone North 2023 Best Actor – Television Reborn Rich Blue Dragon Film Awards 2014 Best Supporting Actor Kundo: Age of the Rampant 2018 Best Actor The Spy Gone North 2021 Best Supporting Actor The Man Standing Next 2021 Miracle: Letters to the President 2025 No Other Choice Blue Dragon Series Awards 2023 Best Actor Shadow Detective Brand Customer Loyalty Awards 2026 Actor – Scene Stealer Lee Sung-min Buil Film Awards 2015 Best Supporting Actor The Piper 2018 Best Actor The Spy Gone North 2026 Best Supporting Actor No Other Choice Chunsa Film Art Awards 2019 Best Actor The Spy Gone North 2020 Best Supporting Actor The Man Standing Next 2025 Special Jury Prize No Other Choice Daegu Theatre Festival 1992 Best New Actor Lee Sung-min 2022 The Man Standing Next Golden Ticket Awards 2012 Best Actor in a Play The Weir Grand Bell Awards 2018 Best Actor The Spy Gone North 2023 Best Actor in a Series Shadow Detective Grimae Awards 2012 Best Actor Golden Time KOFRA Film Awards 2019 The Spy Gone North Korea Drama Awards 2012 Excellence Award, Actor Golden Time 2023 Grand Prize (Daesang) Shadow Detective 2 Korea Theatre Festival 2001 Best Actor Pig Hunting MBC Drama Awards 2012 PD Award Golden Time, The King 2 Hearts Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries The Seoul Awards 2018 Best Actor The Spy Gone North Seoul International Drama Awards 2023 Outstanding Korean Actor Reborn Rich tvN10 Awards 2016 Best Actor Misaeng: Incomplete Life

State honors + Name of country, year given, and name of honor Country Year Honor or Award South Korea 2022 Prime Minister's Commendation

Listicles + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year Listicle Placement Forbes 2015 Korea Power Celebrity 40 Korean Film Council 2021 Korean Actors 200