Lee Na-young

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Lee Na-young
Lee Na-Young at the Romance Is a Bonus Book site conference in 2019.
Born (1979-02-22) February 22, 1979 (age 45)
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
Revised RomanizationYi Nayeong
McCune–ReischauerI Nayŏng
WebsiteOfficial website

Lee Na-young (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[edit]

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] She is considered to have one of the most beautiful and idealized faces in Korea.[14] Lee later became the first Korean to appear on the cover of fashion magazine W Korea, for its November 2009 issue.[15]

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.[16] 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.[17][18][19] 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).[20][21] She won several Best Actress prizes for Someone Special, notably from the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards.[22]

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.[23] 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.[24]

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.[25][26][27] To promote the film, she made a guest appearance in the sitcom High Kick Through the Roof.[28][29] 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.[30][31]

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.[32][33][34] 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.[35][36][37]

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.[38]

In 2018, Lee returned to the silver screen with the North Korean refugee drama Beautiful Days,[39] which premiered at the 23rd Busan International Film Festival.[40][41][42]

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.[43][44][45] She played a main character named Kang Dan-yi who is a new temporary worker of book publishing company.

Personal life[edit]

Marriage and children[edit]

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.[46][47][48][49][50] The couple belong to the same talent agency Eden 9, and reportedly began dating in August 2012 (though Eden 9 only confirmed the relationship in July 2013).[51][52][53][54] A press release from Eden 9 on December 19, 2015, announced that Lee had given birth to the couple's first child, a son.[55][56][57][58]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Eiji Mae-hwa Japanese film
2001 Dream of a Warrior Shosho
2002 Who R. U.? Seo In-joo
2003 Please Teach Me English Na Young-ju
2004 Someone Special Han Yi-yeon
Sweet Home short film
Leaving Me, Loving You (cameo) Hong Kong film
2006 Maundy Thursday Moon Yu-jeong
2008 Dream Ran
2010 Lady Daddy Ji-hyeon
2012 Howling Cha Eun-young
2013 SPEC: Close Woman who speaks Korean Japanese film
2015 Woman, Man segment: "Sad Scene"
2018 Beautiful Days Mother

Television series[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1998 One Day Suddenly So-hee, a ghost (bit part)
Three Guys and Three Girls (bit part)
MBC Best Theater
"What Was I to You?"
1999 KAIST
Did We Really Love? Kang Jae-young
MBC Best Theater
"Goodbye Audrey Hepburn"
one act-drama
Queen Oh Soon-jung
Magic Castle Hong Yoon-hee [59]
Love Story "Message" So-young [60]
2000 Cool Friends Broadcasting writer Lee Na-young [61]
2002 Ruler of Your Own World Jeon Kyung
2004 Ireland Lee Joong-ah
2009 High Kick Through the Roof Lee Na-bong Cameo (episode 85)
2010 The Fugitive: Plan B Jini
2019 Romance Is a Bonus Book Kang Dan-yi

Web series[edit]

Year Title Role Ref.
2023 One Day Off Park Ha-kyung [62]

Music video appearances[edit]

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[edit]

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2002 MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Ruler of Your Own World Won [63]
2003 39th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actress (TV) Nominated
2004 25th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Leading Actress Someone Special Won
12th Chunsa Film Art Awards Best Actress Won [64]
5th Women in Film Korea Awards Won [65]
MBC Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actress Ireland Nominated
Popularity Award, Actress Won [66]
2006 6th Korea Advertisers Association Good Model Award Won [67]
27th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Leading Actress Maundy Thursday Nominated
2007 1st Korea Broadcast Advertising Festival - Model Awards Best Partner Award Won [68]
41st Taxpayer's Day Prime Minister's Commendation Won [69]
2010 KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama The Fugitive: Plan B Nominated
2023 59th Grand Bell Awards Best Actress in a Series One Day Off Nominated [70]

Listicles[edit]

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Forbes 2011 Korea Power Celebrity 40 24th [71]

References[edit]

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  2. ^ "[STAR★미니다큐] (11) 이나영, 안방-스크린-CF서 반짝반짝". Sports Chosun (in Korean). 8 October 2007.
  3. ^ "이나영·이규한 SBS 〈카이스트〉합류". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 25 February 2002.
  4. ^ ""연기 재미에 푹 빠졌어요"..SBS '퀸'의 오순정역 이나영씨". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). 10 August 1999.
  5. ^ Kim, Hee-kyeong (16 February 2001). "Dream of A Warrior a sci-fi love story". The Dong-a Ilbo. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  6. ^ "Rialto to Perform in Seoul". The Chosun Ilbo. 8 January 2001. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  7. ^ Joe, Yong-hee (15 January 2001). "British Pop Band With a Particular Warmth for Korea". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  8. ^ <네 멋대로 해라>의 양동근, 이나영, 공효진. Cine21 (in Korean). 7 August 2002.
  9. ^ Naldi, V.X. "Ruler of Your Own World (2002, MBC miniseries)". Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  10. ^ "'아일랜드', "이나영의, 이나영에 의한, 이나영을 위한 드라마"". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 31 August 2004.
  11. ^ "Jeon Ji-hyun Cedes Advertising Power to Jang Dong-gun". The Chosun Ilbo. 30 March 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  12. ^ "Yu-na Most Favored CF Model". The Korea Times. 22 April 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  13. ^ "Lancôme Picks Lee Na-young as Its Face in Korea". The Chosun Ilbo. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  14. ^ "Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Lee Na-young". Koreanfilm.org. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  15. ^ "Lee Na-young becomes 1st Korean on W cover". 10Asia. 19 October 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  16. ^ Sunwoo, Carla (22 February 2012). "Lee Na-young unfazed by questions about age, marriage prospects". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  17. ^ <연합인터뷰>「후아유」의 이나영. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 2 May 2002.
  18. ^ "Interview: Actress Lee Na-young (Part 1)". 10Asia. 14 January 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  19. ^ "Interview: Actress Lee Na-young (Part 2)". 10Asia. 14 January 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  20. ^ "'English' translates into laughter". The Korea Times. 29 October 2003.
  21. ^ "'A Woman I Know - Someone Special' Shows Even Oddballs Fall in Love". The Korea Times. 24 June 2004.
  22. ^ "Silmido Takes Best Picture at Blue Dragon Awards". The Chosun Ilbo. 30 November 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  23. ^ "Happy Hours and Two Complex Stars". The Chosun Ilbo. 6 September 2006. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  24. ^ "Top Stars Join KIM Ki-duk's 15th Feature". Korean Film Biz Zone. 8 January 2008.
  25. ^ Lee, Hyo-won (5 January 2010). "Actress Lee Shows Off Handsome Look". The Korea Times. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  26. ^ "Lee Na-young turns man in film Lady Daddy". 10Asia. 5 January 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  27. ^ "Lee Na-young Takes on Transgender Part". The Chosun Ilbo. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  28. ^ "Lee Na-young preps on the set of High Kick 2". 10Asia. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  29. ^ "Lee Na-young, Choi Daniel on the set of High Kick 2". 10Asia. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  30. ^ "Lee to play opposite Rain in new drama". The Korea Times. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  31. ^ Jean, Oh (27 September 2010). "Comeback kids amp up TV thriller". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  32. ^ "Lee Na-young signs with Hollywood agency". The Korea Herald. 2 April 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  33. ^ "Actress Lee Na-young leaves KEYEAST". 10Asia. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  34. ^ "Actress Lee Na-young joins new agency". 10Asia. 2 August 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  35. ^ "Lee Na-young tracking serial killers?". Korea JoongAng Daily. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  36. ^ "Lee Na-young Faces Tough Challenge on New Movie". The Chosun Ilbo. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  37. ^ Lee, Claire (8 February 2012). "Howling: Portrait of the minority". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  38. ^ 이나영, 우문기 감독 단편영화 '슬픈 씬'으로 활동 재개. TenAsia (in Korean). 25 February 2015.
  39. ^ "LEE Na-young Chooses Indie Title for Comeback Role". Korean Film Biz Zone. 28 August 2017.
  40. ^ "Lee Na-young's New Film to Open Busan Int'l Film Festival Next Month". The Chosun Ilbo. 22 September 2018.
  41. ^ "[INTERVIEW] In 'Beautiful Days,' Lee Na-young turns hurt into hope". The Korea Times. 18 November 2018.
  42. ^ "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.
  43. ^ "Lee Na-young returns to small screen with rom-com after 9 years". Kpop Herald. 15 October 2018.
  44. ^ "Lee Na-young and Lee Jong-suk to show romance in publishing industry in new rom-com". Kpop Herald. 21 January 2019.
  45. ^ "Lee Na-young to Appear in Rom-Com Series with Lee Jong-suk". The Chosun Ilbo. 22 January 2019.
  46. ^ "Won Bin, Lee Na-young Tie Knot in Wheat Fields". The Chosun Ilbo. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  47. ^ "Won Bin's Quiet Countryside Wedding Strikes Chord". The Chosun Ilbo. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  48. ^ "Top stars Won Bin and Lee Na-young tie knot". The Korea Times. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  49. ^ "Actor Won Bin ties knot with actress Lee Na-young". The Korea Herald. 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  50. ^ Yoon, Sarah (31 May 2015). "Won Bin, Lee Na-young marry in secret ceremony". K-pop Herald. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  51. ^ Yoon, Min-sik (3 July 2013). "Won Bin, Lee Na-young dating: agency". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  52. ^ "'Hallyu' stars Won, Lee are dating". The Korea Times. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  53. ^ "Won Bin Admits He's Head Over Heels for Lee Na-young". The Chosun Ilbo. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  54. ^ "Won Bin, Lee Na-young confirm they're a couple". Korea JoongAng Daily. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  55. ^ "Star couple Won Bin and Lee Na-young to become parents". The Korea Times. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  56. ^ "Lee Na-young Pregnant 2 Months After Wedding". The Chosun Ilbo. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  57. ^ Jackson, Julie (20 December 2015). "Won Bin, Lee Na-young welcome first child". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  58. ^ "Lee Na-young Gives Birth to Baby Boy". The Chosun Ilbo. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
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  60. ^ "송지나 극본 SBS '러브 스토리', 'TV영화' 형식 시도". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 25 February 2002.
  61. ^ 유재석 이나영 12년 전 그들은..시트콤 속 풋풋 매력(무한도전). Newsen (in Korean). 28 July 2012.
  62. ^ 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. Retrieved September 15, 2022 – via Naver.
  63. ^ "'2002 MBC 연기대상'에 장서희". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 31 December 2002.
  64. ^ "When I Turned Nine unexpected winner of Chunsa Film Art Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. 25 November 2004.
  65. ^ 이나영, 올해의 여성영화인 연기상. Star News (in Korean). 17 December 2004.
  66. ^ "고두심, '2004 MBC 연기대상' 대상 수상". Star News (in Korean). 31 December 2004.
  67. ^ 이나영, 장동건 광고주가 뽑은 좋은 모델상-2006 한국광고주대회. Herald POP (in Korean). 12 October 2006.
  68. ^ '쇼를 하라' 2007 대한민국 방송광고 페스티벌 3관왕(종합). Star News (in Korean). 18 September 2007.
  69. ^ 이나영 "모범 납세자라니 쑥스럽네요". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 5 March 2007.
  70. ^ 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. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Naver.
  71. ^ "Celebrity list 40". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). February 24, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2021 – via Joins.

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