Lee Byung-Hun On the World Stage

Born in July 1970, Lee Byung-Hun is known as an actor and singer is known for his charm, sculpted abs, brilliant smile, masculine good looks and acting ability.

Lee Byung-Hun, has won most of the major drama acting awards, and went  on to superstar status in Korea which ultimately led to International film opportunities. He is fluent in English, Korean, French and Mandarin and has played speaking roles in all of these languages.

Lee Byung-Hun is famous for roles in dozens of Korean Dramas, hit Korean Movies and now Hollywood films such as G.I.Joe and the forthcoming Reds 2.

Lee Byung-Hun became a world renowned South Korean film star after first coming to dominate Korean drama and movies. He was first noticed for his box office hit entitled Korean Joint Security Area in the year of 2000—but has gone on to popularity around the world. Just this year, he was recognized as ‘Star of the Year’ by CineAsia. Hollywood film-maker Jon Chu described him as “Korea’s Tom Cruise,” after his role in Hollywood’s G.I. Joe.

Lee Byung-Hun kicks his performance up in GI Joe:

One of Korea’s Most Popular Stars
The handsome star, arguably one of Korea’s most popular—and long before his current adored Hallyu status—first starred in Asphalt My Hometown after winning the audition of KBS talent. This led quickly to an opportunity to act in a huge television hit called Beautiful Days in 2001 and followed by another television show called All In in the year of 2003.

2009′s Iris was a hit around the world, and added tremendous value to the Lee Byung-Hun image machine:

Lee Byung-Hun continued his craft and went on to create the unique movie The Good, the Bad, the Weird and the suspense thriller I Saw the Devil. After releasing a successful line of movies he came back to his first love which is creating popular drama series and has starred in the drama Iris. Iris was rated number one for every episode in Korean ratings, and went on to translation and broadcast around the world. It has become one of the best known Korean Dramas outside of Korea.

Lee Byung-Hun is famous for a sculpted body, rippling abs, and his martial arts Tae Kwon Do moves.

He was considered to a pioneer as one of the first Korean Hallyu stars to leave his mark at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood (together with Ahn Sung-Ki.) Many remember him for his role as a border-guard soldier; this earned him his first Best Actor Award in the prestigious Pusan Film Critic’s Awards.

Many Awards and Successes
It was a string of success for him including winning top prize at SBS Drama Awards and the Best Actor for Baeksang Arts Awards. Lee Byung-Hun also earned a nomination for the Blue Dragon film awards Best actor, the Chunsa Film Art Awards including the famous Grand Bell awards.

“Lee Byung-Hun, the best actor ever in the world.” A fan on YouTube

Here’s what his fans think of him: “Lee Byung Hun, the best actor ever in the world” from YouTube:

His big break in Hollywood was for the much-anticipated G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra. Although the film didn’t receive many accolades, his performance was acclaimed as Storm Shadow. His contract was renewed for two G.I. Joe sequels. He co-starred with actors Sienna Miller and Channing Tatum.

Lee Byung-Hun plays Shadow Hawk, overshadowing his co-stars in the first G.I. Joe movie. He has been signed for two sequels, one in release currently.

In 2012 the first sequel came in the better-received G.I Joe: Retaliation, where he reprised his popular role as Storm Shadow. He was compared to Korean superstar Rain, and his appearance in Ninja Assassin, and ultimately, more offers came. He was cast in Reds 2, an action comedy sequel together with Bruce Willis, Hellen Mirren, actor John Malkovich and Catherine Zeta Jones.

Formed His Own Management Company
Aside from being a successful actor he has also formed his own management company, BH entertainment. Today he manages actors like Han Hyo-Joo, Han Chae-Young and Go Soo. He also owns a well-known fashion line called BHNC, famous for hats, wallets as well as scarfs.

Lee Byun-Hun is developing fans in North America for Hollywood roles, and has long been a Hallyu star popular in Korea, Japan, China and many other countries.

Personal Life
He reportedly dated Song Hye-Kyo but they broke up in the year of 2004. He acknowledged that he is currently in a relationship with Lee Min-jung, confirming it in August 2012.  Lee Byung-Hun also has a famous sister named Lee Eun-Hee who became Miss Korea in 1996.

He grew up as a wealthy child and has often described himself as mischievous during his younger days. He was well educated, a French Literature major from Hanyang University and a Theater and Cinematography major from the Graduate School of Chung Ang University.

To his Korean fans, he will always be number one, one of the precious stars who broke out of the talented Korean drama arts scene on to the world stage. To the world, he is a star to watch.

Lee Byung Hun at the A-Awards 2012:

Awards

• 2011 47th PaekSang Arts Awards – Daesang Grand Award (I Saw the Devil)
• 2010 46th Baeksang Arts Award: Best TV Actor Award (IRIS)
• 2009 KBS Drama Awards: Grand Prize (IRIS)
• 2009 KBS Drama Awards: Best Couple Award (with Kim Tae Hee in IRIS)
• 2009 KBS Drama Awards: Netizen Popularity Award (IRIS)
• 42nd Baek-sang Arts Award: Best Leading Actor for “Once in a Summer” (2006)

Lee Byung-Hun is famous for his smile.

• 2005 Busan Cinema Critics Award: Best Leading Actor
• 39th Baek-sang Arts Award: Best Performing Actor for All In (2003)
• 38th Baek-sang Arts Award: Best Performing Actor (2002)
• 2001 SBS Drama Awards: Best Performing Actor
• 2001 Blue Dragon Awards: Most Popular Actor
• 2000 Busan Cinema Critics Award: Best Leading Actor
• 1996 KBS Drama Awards: Best Performing Actor
• 1995 KBS Drama Awards: Best Performing Actor
• 1993 KBS Drama Awards: Best Performing Actor
• 1992 KBS Drama Awards: Best Performing Actor

Lee Byung-Hun early in his career.

Movies

• Reds 2 (2013)
• GI Joe: Retaliation (2012)
• I Saw the Devil (2010)
• Iris: The Movie (2010)
• The Influence (2010)
• G.I. Joe (2009)
• I Come with the Rain (2008)
• The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008)
• Hero (2007)
• Once in a Summer / Summer Story (2006)
• A Bittersweet Life (2005)
• Three… Extremes (segment “Cut”) (2004)
• Everybody Has Secrets (2004)
• Addicted / The Poisoning (2002)
• My Beautiful Girl, Mari (2002)
• Bungee Jumping of Their Own (2001)
• Joint Security Area (2000)
• Organ of My Heart (1998)
• Ji sang man ga (1997)
• Kill the Love (1996)
• Run Away (1995)
• Who Drives Me Mad? (1995)

Lee-Byung Hun helped make Iris the number one hit of the year 2009 in Korea. The show went on to popularity in many other countries.

TV Dramas

• Diplomat Kuroda Kousaku (Fuji TV, 2011)
• IRIS (2009)
• All In (SBS, 2003)
• Beautiful Days (SBS, 2001)
• Road (SBS, 2001)
• Sally is Back (SBS, 1999)
• Sunflower (MBC, 1999)
• Happy Together (SBS, 1999)
• White Nights 3.98 (SBS, 1998)
• White Sand (KBS, 1997)
• I Do (SBS, 1997)
• Beautiful Lady (SBS, 1997)
• Son of Wind (KBS, 1995)
• Asphalt Man (SBS, 1995)
• Fragrance of Love (SBS, 1994)
• Police (KBS, 1993)
• The Sorrow of the Survivor (KBS, 1992)
• Tomorrow Love (KBS, 1992)
• Dawn (KBS, 1992)
• Days of Sunshine (KBS, 1992)
• Wild Sunflower (KBS, 1992)
• Flower That Never Wilt (KBS, 1991)
• Family (KBS, 1991)
• Asphalt My Hometown, Asphalt (KBS, 1991)

– by Calypso