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Lee Jin-uk is a South Korean actor. He is known for playing lead roles in South Korean romantic TV series. In 2023, he was announced to appear in the second season of the popular Netflix South Korean survival drama series ‘Squid Game.’
Wiki/Biography
Lee Jin-uk, also known as Lee Jin-wook, was born on Wednesday, 16 September 1981 (age 41 years; as of 2023) in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. His zodiac sign is Virgo. Before venturing into acting, he studied environmental engineering at Cheongju University in Cheongju.
Lee Jin-uk during his middle school days
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 6′
Weight (approx.): 80 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
He has three older sisters.
Relationships/Affairs
Choi Ji-woo
Following their roles in the 2007 South Korean TV series ‘Ai City,’ Lee and his co-star Choi Ji-woo began dating and were in a relationship for three years, from 2009 to 2011. The couple mentioned that the intense attention from the public and media played a part in their decision to break up.
Lee Jin-uk with Choi Ji-woo
Gong Hyo-jin
In May 2014, Lee was seen together with actress Gong Hyo-jin on multiple occasions. Later, both of their management agencies confirmed that they were indeed in a relationship; however, just three months after confirming their relationship, it was announced that they had ended their relationship.
Lee Jin-uk with Gong Hyo-jin
Signature/Autograph
Career
Model
Before venturing into acting, he began his modelling career. In 2003, he debuted as a model by appearing in an advertisement for a Panasonic razor. He has done modelling and endorsements for many brands including Audi, Ralph Lauren, Chevrolet, Wisi Healthy, Puma, and Schweppes.
Lee Jin-uk modelling for Ralph Lauren
Film
In 2000, he made his acting debut with a South Korean film titled ‘General Hospital The Movie: A Thousand Days’ in which he played the role of Choi Yoon-seok.
Poster of the 2000 South Korean film ‘General Hospital The Movie – A Thousand Days’
In 2004, he appeared in a South Korean short film titled ‘My New Boyfriend.’ He played a supporting role of a TV music producer named Han Seung-woo in the 2014 hit South Korean film ‘Miss Granny’ directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, who is the director and creator of the world-famous 2021 Netflix series ‘Squid Game.’ In 2016, he was cast in a lead role as Kim Gun-woo, a 2015 homicide detective who encounters a high school teacher named Baek Ji-hwan from 1983 in his dreams, in the romantic thriller South Korean film ‘Time Renegades.’ He has appeared in many South Korean films including ‘The Beauty Inside’ (2015), ‘A Tiger in Winter’ (2018), and ‘A Year-End Medley’ (2021).
Television
TV Series
In 2004, he made his TV debut with ‘MBC Best Theater – Bad Girl.’ He is best known for appearing in SBS’ 2008 South Korean romance drama TV series titled ‘Glass Castle’ in which he played the lead role as Kim Joon-sung, a typical cool and smart guy who works for his father’s company and dreams to become a guitarist in a band.
Poster of the 2008 TV series ‘Glass Castle’
In 2013, he was cast in a lead role as a news anchor at a TV broadcast station named Park Sun-woo in the popular sci-fi romance series ‘Nine.’ Some of his notable TV series include ‘The Three Musketeers’ (2014), ‘The Time We Were Not in Love” (2015), and Voice (2018).
Reality TV Show
In 2007, he appeared in the South Korean variety show ‘I Love Broadway.’ He has been featured in many South Korean variety TV shows including ‘Running Man’ (2020), ‘The Game Caterers’ (2021), and ‘DoReMi Market’ (2021).
Lee Jin-uk in a still from the South Korean reality show ‘The Game Caterers’
Music Video
In 2002, he appeared in the music video of the song ‘In Case of My Love’ by the South Korean pop singer Jung Jae-hyung.
Lee Jin-uk in a still from the music video of the song ‘In Case of My Love’ by Jung Jae-hyung
Some other music videos in which he was featured include ‘Misty Moon’ (2004) by Lim Hyung-joo, ‘Doo roo roo’ (2005) by Ahn Jae-wook, and ‘My Love’ (2009) by Shin Seung-hun.
Web Series
In 2020, he played the role of Pyeon Sang-wook in his debut South Korean apocalyptic horror web series titled ‘Sweet Home,’ which was released on Netflix.
He was cast in a lead role as Seo Jun-hyung, a pre-marriage groom, in KakaoTV’s 2022 South Korean web series ‘Welcome to Wedding Hell.’
Controversy
Accused of Sexual Assault
In July 2016, a woman accused Lee Jin-uk of sexual assault. Later, he filed a lawsuit against the person who accused him of making false claims. In 2016, he was declared innocent of all charges related to his case. In 2017, the individual who accused him was found not guilty of falsely accusing him. Later, Lee Jin-wook’s side then appealed this decision. On 7 February 2018, the court overturned the previous verdict regarding the false accusation and sentenced the woman to eight months in prison, which would be suspended for two years. The court ordered,
In order to determine if she can be sued for false accusations, we must first look at whether Oh was compelled or intimidated into sexual relations. It is difficult to completely eliminate the possibility that sexual relations took place against Oh’s inner wishes, but it is also not possible to say that oppressive tactics were used. As Oh has common sense, she likely knew the difference between sexual relations that one secretly does not want to engage in and rape that occurs with oppressive tactics. Therefore, Oh’s accusation against Lee is a false accusation that goes against objective truth. Since this case did not occur with the intent of extorting money, we recommend a stay of execution to the sentence.”
Awards
- 2006: New Star Award for the South Korean TV series ‘Alone in Love’ and ‘Smile Again’ at the SBS Drama Awards
- 2013: 20’s Drama Star – Male for the TV series ‘Nine’ at the 7th Mnet 20’s Choice Awards
- 2016: Grand Prize for the South Korean film ‘Time Renegades’ at the Korea Film Actors Association Awards
Car Collection
Lee Jin-uk owns an Audi R8 Spyder car.
Lee Jin-uk getting out of his car
Facts/Trivia
- Lee Jin-uk has got two triangles, one red and the other green coloured, inked on his left hand’s wrist.
Lee Jin-uk’s tattoo on his left hand’s wrist
- He once revealed that he did not like to watch horror films as he gets scared easily.
- In his leisure time, he likes to listen to music and read books.
- According to his friends, he is a skilled cook and great at cooking curry.
- He considers himself a sneaker enthusiast and has a huge collection of Nike sneakers.
Lee Jin-uk’s collection of Nike sneakers
- In a 2014 interview, when he was asked about what is his ideal type, he said,
More than a short-haired one, I like women with long hair,” Lee Jin Wook said. “It would be even better if her hair’s tied. It would be nice if she’s below 164 cm (5′ 3″).”
- In 2015, he was featured on the cover of Esquire magazine.
Lee Jin-uk on the cover of Esquire magazine in 2015
- He follows a non-vegetarian diet.