Lee Hee-jun was born on June 29, 1979 in Songhyeon-dong, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, South Korea.[1] After completing high school without knowing what he wanted to do, he entered the Department of Chemical Engineering at Yeungnam University.[4]
The turning point in his life came a week before his military enlistment, when he had a farewell party and got into a car accident that required major surgery. As a result, he was exempted from military service. Despite being exempt, he lost interest in his studies and wandered for a while, spending his days playing guitar, singing, and drinking. During this time, he happened to see a poster for a children's theater company in Daegu and out of curiosity, he visited the theater company.[5] Lee worked as the youngest member of the Daegu theater company 'Onnuri' for approximately 2 years and 6 months. Instead of being an actor, his role within the troupe involved tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and putting up posters. Lee independently studied and followed Stanislavsky's book 'Actor's Class'.[6]
Lee Hee-jun debuted on in 1999 with the play 'Tourist Zone.'[7] He discovered a passion for acting while performing in children's plays such as 'The Jungle Book' and 'Cinderella'. Later on, he developed a strong desire to receive formal acting training, which led him to drop out of the chemical engineering department at Yeungnam University.[6][4]
Career
In 2002, Lee, who dropped out of Yeungnam University, met Lee Yun-taek and joined the Yeonheedan street troupe and lived at Miryang Theater Village for a year. He also appeared as King Oedipus in the opening production of the 2nd Miryang Theater Festival, Oedipus.[8]
Afterwards, Lee Hee-jun moved to Chaimu Theater Company and played the lead role, making a name for himself in Daehakro.[9]
Afterwards, he wanted to take acting lessons in a more systematic way, so he applied to Korea National University of Arts, but was rejected. In the end, he took the exam again and proudly entered school at the age of 24 (Class of 2003).[6] The university is famous for its rigorous, practical-oriented curriculum. When he was an engineering student, he was tired of theory classes, so life at a practical-oriented Korean art school was like heaven. To paraphrase his own words, “I loved school.” So good was he that he attended on scholarship for all eight semesters, three of which he even received full scholarships.[4]
In 2005, he further showcased his talent by appearing in the musical 'Lee.' He continued to hone his acting skills through various projects, including notable works like 'The King and the Clown' and the 2007 play 'Byun.' In 2009, he further enriched his repertoire with performances in 'Melodrama' and 'There in Chuncheon.'[7]
Lee Hee-jun has recently showcased the acting experience he accumulated through his involvement in musicals and theater productions, transitioning to the screen and television. He made a notable appearance in the 2007 film 'Secret Sunshine,' portraying a minor character that garnered attention due to his captivating presence. Subsequently, he actively pursued supporting roles, featuring in films such as 'The Predators' (2009), 'Unfair Trade' (2010), 'Yellow Sea' (2010), 'Heart is Beating' (2011), 'Special Edition' (2012), and 'Detective Cha' (2012).[7]
Lee Hee-jun also appeared on TV as a member of the Chaimu Troupe. When he appeared in the play 'B Unso' in 2010, he was noticed by a KBS drama special producer and began to make a name for himself by appearing in several one-act plays.[10] Starting with the 4-part series 'Perfect Spy' last May, 'Cupid Factory' last month, and recently 'Ilbeom Dong-il', actor Lee Hee-jun (32) has impressed viewers with his impressive acting in 'Drama Special' one after another.[4]
Lee Hee-jun gained recognition through the KBS2 drama special 'Texas Hits' in 2010, where he portrayed a gangster running a gambling site and impressed viewers with his acting. At the time, he was called a 'star of one-act plays'.[7]
After that, he appeared in drama serial series 'Perfect Spy'. At the press conference for 'Perfect Spy', actor Son Hyun-joo praised Lee Hee-jun, saying, "He will become a star like Song Sae-byeok." He was recognized for his excellent acting skills even before gaining popularity.[7]
After 'Perfect Spy', Lee Hee-jun appeared in 'Cupid Factory' where he portrayed the character of So-jun, a composer who struggled to write a song due to a lack of dating experience. Despite the absurd premise of purchasing a machine at 'Cupid Factory' to make oneself fall in love, Lee Hee-jun portrayed the character effortlessly, creating an engaging story that was well received by viewers. He emerged as a promising actor discovered by the KBS drama department.[7]
In 2012, Lee Hee-jun then appeared in KBS hit drama My Husband Got a Family, where he portrayed the role of Cheon Jae-yong, a charming and innocent man.[11] His presence in the drama played a significant role in shaping his career, contributing to his current success, and gaining public awareness and popularity.[7] He won the Best New Actor Award in the TV category at the 2013 Baeksang Arts Awards.
Lee joined the theater company 'Ganda Performance Delivery Service' as an early member. The company was formed by friends who collaborated on creative projects while attending Korea National University of Arts, with CEO Min Jun-ho at the forefront. Jin Seon-kyu, was also part of the company in its early stages.[6]
Lee later appeared in several works including 'Jeon Woo-chi', 'God of the Workplace', 'Yuna's Street', 'Mistress', and the movies 'Sea Fog', '1987', 'Miss Baek', and 'Namsan Managers'. In each of these works, he showcased a high level of character immersion, transcending both the small and big screens. As a result, he was reborn as a 'trustworthy actor'.[11]
Personal life
Lee Hee-joon and model Lee Hye-jung confirmed their relationship in August 2015. They registered their marriage prior to the ceremony and had their private wedding ceremony in a wedding hall in Yongsan, Seoul on April 23, 2016.[12]
^ abcd"'드라마 스페셜'의 발견..배우 이희준" [Discovery of 'Drama Special'.. Actor Lee Hee-joon]. m.entertain.naver.com. August 29, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
^"꽉 찬 연기력을 품고 넝쿨째 굴러온 배우 이희준 [김민성의 ★필]" [Lee Hee-jun, an actor who rolled with full acting skills [Kim Min-sung's ★Phil]]. m.entertain.naver.com. May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
^ abcdeKwon, Sung-hoon (May 18, 2018). "[문화人&스토리] 연극 '나와 할아버지' 배우 이희준" [[Cultural People & Story] Actor Lee Hee-jun of the play 'I and Grandpa']. 매일신문 (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^ abcdefgh"['넝쿨당' 종영②-빛난 스타] 이희준, 명불허전 대세남으로 떠오르다" [['The end of the vine②-Glowing star] Lee Hee-joon emerges as a famous man.]. OBS경인TV (in Korean). September 10, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^"꽉 찬 연기력을 품고 넝쿨째 굴러온 배우 이희준 [김민성의 ★필]" [Lee Hee-jun, an actor who rolled with full acting skills [Kim Min-sung's ★Phil]]. m.entertain.naver.com. May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
^"꽉 찬 연기력을 품고 넝쿨째 굴러온 배우 이희준 [김민성의 ★필]" [Lee Hee-jun, an actor who rolled with full acting skills [Kim Min-sung's ★Phil]]. m.entertain.naver.com. May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
^Yoo Jeong-min (January 11, 2022). "고수X이희준, 숨막히는 최악의 국회 청문회 현장...'방관자들' 1차 포스터 공개" [Go Soo X Lee Hee-jun, the most suffocating National Assembly hearing scene... 'Bystanders' 1st poster released] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved January 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Da-won (February 7, 2022). "[단독] 이희준, '황야' 출연…마동석과 뭉친다" [[Exclusive] Heejun Lee to appear in 'The Wilderness'... I unite with Ma Dong-seok] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved February 7, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Bo-ra (November 2, 2023). "마동석x이희준x이준영x노정의 '황야', 넷플릭스 공개 확정[공식]" [Ma Dong-seok x Lee Hee-jun x Lee Jun-young x Noh Jeong's 'Wilderness' confirmed for Netflix release [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Retrieved November 2, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim Hyeon-rok (May 20, 2024). ""연기의 신 만난 느낌" '핸섬가이즈' 이희준, 야성미 더하기 귀요미 한스푼" ["Feels like I've met the God of Acting" 'Handsome Guys' Lee Hee-jun, a spoonful of wildness plus cuteness]. Spotv News (in Korean). Retrieved July 3, 2024 – via Naver.
^Hwang Chae-hyun (September 27, 2021). "박해수X수현X이희준 '키마이라' 10월30일 첫방송 [공식]" [Park Hae-soo X Soo-hyeon X Lee Hee-jun 'Kimira' first broadcast on October 30 [Official]]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved September 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^Choi, Hee-jae (October 17, 2022). "이서진, 매니저 됐다…조여정→수현, 역대급 라인업 공개 (연예인 매니저로 살아남기)" [Seojin Lee became the manager... Jo Yeo-jeong → Soo-hyun, all-time lineup revealed (Surviving as a celebrity manager)]. X-ports News (in Korean). Retrieved October 17, 2022 – via Naver.
^Moon, Ji-yeon (August 19, 2022). "[공식] 최우식·이희준→손석구..'살인자ㅇ난감' 제작 학정" [[Official] Woo-Sik Choi, Hee-Jun Lee → Seok-Gu Sohn.. 'The Murderer's Toy' Production Hakjeong] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved August 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^Ahn, Eun-jae (September 8, 2022). "'지배종' 주지훈·한효주·이희준·이무생 출연…이수연 작가와 뭉친다" [Joo Ji-hoon, Han Hyo-joo, Lee Hee-jun, and Lee Moo-saeng to appear in 'Dominant Species'… Joining writer Lee Soo-yeon] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved September 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi, Yoon-na (November 9, 2023). "박해수·신민아→이광수·공승연…넷플릭스 '악연' 출연 확정 [공식]" [Park Hae-Soo-Shin Min-Ah → Lee Kwang-Soo-Gong Seung-Yeon...Netflix 'Bad Blood' casting confirmed [Official]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved November 9, 2023 – via Naver.
^"깔끔한 구성-추억의 노래 어우러진 무대" [A neat composition-a stage with a song of memories]. Munhwa Ilbo (in Korean). June 25, 2008. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^Kang, Jong-hoon (August 18, 2009). "기상캐스터 안혜경 연극배우 도전" [Weather forecaster Ahn Hye-kyung's theatre actor challenge]. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^Park, Ha-na (July 10, 2008). "창작뮤지컬 '사춘기' 8월15일 공연" [Performance of the creative musical 'Adolescence' on August 15]. The Financial News (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^"창작뮤지컬 '거울공주 평강이야기', 6년 만에 대학로 컴백" [Creative musical 'The Story of Princess Mirror' makes a comeback in Daehak-ro for the first time in 6 years]. 뉴데일리 (in Korean). November 21, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^"고요" [Silence]. DA-Arts (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^""연극 고수 총출동"..극단 차이무 '변'" ["The theatre master general appearance".. The extreme Chai-moo 'Byeon']. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^"멜로드라마" [Melodrama]. DA-Arts (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
^"연극 '멜로드라마' 앙코르 공연" [Play Melodrama Encore Performance]. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^"나온씨어터 개관기념 퍼레이드 : 끝방" [Naeon Theater Opening Commemoration Parade: End Room]. DA-Arts (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^"가을처럼 수수한 사랑을 전하다, 연극 '춘천 거기'" [Delivering a sober love like autumn, the play 'Chuncheon There']. 독서신문 (in Korean). August 18, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^"[공연]비판은 줄어도 웃음은 커졌다… 두 좀도둑의 별 볼일 없는 삶" [[Performance] Even though the criticism has decreased, the laughter has increased... The life of two thieves]. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). February 15, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^OSEN (May 28, 2012). "김원준, '넝굴당' 식구들과 이희준 연극 관람..'훈훈'" [Kim Won-joon, watching Lee Hee-joon's play with his family in 'Nang Guldang'.. Hoon-hoon]. m.osen.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^Heo, Seol-hee (January 21, 2014). "연극 '나와 할아버지', 이희준 합류 막강 라인업 개막" [The play 'Grandpa and I', Lee Hee-joon joins the opening of the powerful lineup]. 마이데일리 (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^"[리뷰] 까만 밤, 반짝거리는 인간의 외로움… 연극 '한때 사랑했던 여자에게 보내는 구소련 우주비행사의 마지막 메시지'" [[Review] Black Night, Twinkling Human Loneliness... Play 'The Last Message of a Former Soviet Astronaut to a Woman I Loved One Time']. 뉴스컬처 (NEWSCULTURE) (in Korean). April 24, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^Kim, Jong-un (April 24, 2015). "5월은 가족과 함께…아이·부모님과 볼만한 공연" [In May, with my family... A performance worth watching with children and parents]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^"새신랑 이희준 무대 선다…연극 '나와 할아버지'" [New groom Lee Hee-joon will be on stage... The play 'Me and Grandpa']. 이데일리 (in Korean). June 3, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^"[문화&캘린더] 연극 '나와 할아버지'" [[Culture & Calendar] The play 'I and Grandpa']. 경기일보 (in Korean). June 3, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^"할아버지와 손자, 가슴 울리는 동행 - 원주투데이" [Grandpa and Grandson, Heart Ringing Companion - Wonju Today]. www.wonjutoday.co.kr (in Korean). December 23, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^Kang Jin-ah (December 1, 2021). "이희준·이시언·오의식·김설진, 연극 '그때도 오늘' 출연" [Lee Hee-jun, Lee Si-eon, Oh Eui-shik, and Kim Seol-jin to appear in the play 'Then and Today'] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved December 1, 2021 – via Naver.
^"이시언·김설진→오의식·양경원, 연극 '그때도 오늘' 캐스팅 공개" [Lee Si-eon, Kim Seol-jin → Oh Yi-sik, Yang Kyung-won, the casting of the play 'Then Today' is released]. 문화뉴스 (in Korean). November 7, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
^Lee, Ki-hong (October 20, 2022). "고양문화재단, 상주단체 '공연배달서비스 간다'의 '그때도 오늘' 공연" [Goyang Cultural Foundation, resident organisation 'I'm going to the performance delivery services 'That Time and Today' performance]. 경인매일 - 세력에 타협하지 않는 신문 (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2024.
^Choi, Joo-sung (April 22, 2024). "연극 '꽃, 별이 지나' 6월 개막…김지현·진선규·이희준 출연" [The play 'Flowers, Stars Pass' opens in June... Kim Ji-hyun, Jin Seon-gyu, and Lee Hee-joon appeared]. n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2024.
^Noh Kyu-min (February 9, 2022). "[공식] 제20회 디렉터스컷 어워즈, 24일 개최…'오겜' 'D.P.' '지옥' 노미네이트" [[Official] The 20th Director's Cut Awards, held on the 24th... 'Ogem' 'D.P.' 'Hell' nomination] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). 60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024 – via Naver.
^Moon, Ji-yeon (June 24, 2024). "[공식] '무빙'·'SNL코리아' 최다 노미..제3회 청룡시리즈어워즈 후보 격돌" [[Official] 'Moving' and 'SNL Korea' most nominated..Candidates clash for the 3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved June 26, 2024 – via Naver.
