Lee Sang-woo (born February 13, 1980) is a South Korean actor. He rose to fame in the 2007 television drama First Wives' Club, and has since played leading roles on The Road Home (2009), Don't Hesitate (2009), Life Is Beautiful (2010), and Feast of the Gods (2012).

Lee Sang-woo
Lee in July 2019
Born (1980-02-13) February 13, 1980 (age 44)
Seoul, South Korea
EducationKorea University – Department of Food Science and Biotechnology
OccupationActor
Years active2005–present
AgentAlomalo Humane Entertainment[1]
Spouse
(m. 2017)
Korean name
Hangul
이상우
Hanja
李尚禹
Revised RomanizationI Sang-u
McCune–ReischauerRi Sang-u

Career

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Lee Sang-woo launched his acting career in 2005, starring in a Drama City episode and a minor role in the television drama 18 vs. 29. This was followed by more supporting roles on television, including his big screen debut in Almost Love, a romantic comedy film headlined by Kwon Sang-woo and Kim Ha-neul. During this time, he also starred as one of the three leading actors of the independent film Don't Look Back (2006), which was the closing film of that year's Jeonju International Film Festival,[2] and won a critic's prize at the Locarno International Film Festival.[3]

Lee began his rise to fame with a supporting role in First Wives' Club, a popular drama which aired from 2007 to 2008 with a peak viewership rating of 41.3%.[4][5] For his performance, he received a New Star Award at the SBS Drama Awards.

It was not until 2009 that Lee was cast in his first mainstream leading role, in The Road Home, followed soon after by another daily drama Don't Hesitate. In the same year, he also appeared as one of the leading actors in Searching for the Elephant, an erotic-psychological thriller about three thirty-something men struggling with schizophrenia, sex addiction and infidelity.[6]

In 2010, Lee starred with Song Chang-eui in Life Is Beautiful as a gay couple. The drama is one of the few Korean dramas about an openly gay couple in Korean society, which have conservative views on sexuality.[7] Despite the controversy, the show was successful in the ratings,[8] and Lee would later work again with renowned screenwriter Kim Soo-hyun on A Thousand Days' Promise (2011) and Childless Comfort (2012).[9]

After a supporting role in Believe in Love (also known as My Love, My Family, 2011), Lee was once again cast in the leading role in Feast of the Gods (2012).[10][11] He later won the Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama at the MBC Drama Awards for Feast of the Gods and his supporting role in the period drama The King's Doctor.[12]

In 2013, Lee joined the ensemble cast of Goddess of Marriage, followed by the adultery drama One Warm Word.[13][14] Unlike his previous calm and quiet roles, in 2014 he was cast as the leading man in Glorious Day, a peculiar character which Lee said he looked forward to playing since it most resembles his real-life personality.[15]

Lee then starred in two weekend dramas, All About My Mom and Happy Home.[16][17] He returned to prime-time television, starring in romantic comedy drama 20th Century Boy and Girl.[18]

In 2018, Lee was cast in the KBS2 weekend drama Marry Me Now as a doctor and was partnered with Han Ji-hye.[19][20]

In 2019, Lee starred in the legal romantic comedy drama Touch Your Heart as an elite prosecutor.[21][22] In the same year, Lee made a special appearance in the KBS drama Mother of Mine. Lee later appeared in the MBC drama The Golden Garden.

In 2020, Lee made a special appearance in the drama. Lovestruck in the City [23]

In 2021, Lee made a special appearance in the SBS drama The Penthouse: War in Life 2. Later, Lee participated in the variety golf show King of Golf aired on TV Chosun along with Yang Se-hyung, Lee Dong-gook, and Jang Min-ho,[24] and Lee was confirmed to participate in the TV Chosun drama Uncle.[25]

Personal life

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Lee and Kim in 2022

Lee married actress Kim So-yeon in June 2017.[26] Their romantic relationship started in 2016. The pair met on the set of MBC's weekend drama Happy Home.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2006 Almost Love Moon Young-hoon
Don't Look Back Geun-woo
2008 Black Heart (Beyond All Magic) Jun
2009 Searching for the Elephant Jin-hyuk
TBA The Hotel Mr. Yoon [27]

Television series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2005 Drama City No One Loves Me Jo Seung-joo
18 vs. 29 Kang Bong-kyu
Can Love Be Refilled? Lee Sang-woo
2007 Two Outs in the Ninth Inning Lee Joon-mo
First Wives' Club Koo Se-joo
2009 The Road Home Yoo Hyun-soo
Don't Hesitate Han Tae-woo
2010 Life Is Beautiful Kim Kyung-soo
2011 Believe in Love Han Seung-woo
A Thousand Days' Promise Jang Jae-min
2012 Feast of the Gods Kim Do-yoon
The King's Doctor Lee Sung-ha
My Kids Give Me a Headache Ha In-chul Cameo
2013 Goddess of Marriage Kim Hyun-woo
One Warm Word Kim Sung-soo
2014 Let's Eat Kim Sung-soo Cameo (Episode 8)
Glorious Day Seo Jae-woo
2015 High Society Jang Kyung-joon Cameo (Episode 1–4, 15–16)
All About My Mom Kang Hoon-jae
2016 Happy Home Seo Ji-geon
2017 Children of the 20th Century Anthony / Lee Chul-min
2018 Marry Me Now Jung Eun-tae
2019 Touch Your Heart Kim Se-won
Mother of Mine Mi-ri's blinddate Cameo (Episode 1)
The Golden Garden Cha Pil-seung
2021 The Penthouse: War in Life 2 Reporter Son Hyung-jin Cameo (Episode 2 & 4) [28]
2021–2022 Uncle Joo Kyung-il [25]
2022 Shooting Stars Han Seung-Il Cameo (Episode 4) [29]
2022–2023 Red Balloon Go Ji-won [30]

Web series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2020 Lovestruck in the City Bin Cameo (Episode 1,3–4,12) [23]

Television shows

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2017 It's Dangerous Beyond the Blankets Main cast
2021 King of Golf Season 1 [24]
2022 Special trainee Season 3; Episode Dubai Special [31]

Music video

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Year Song title Artist
2004 "Nitpicking" Kim Gun-mo
2007 "Loving One Person" Oh Hyun-ran
"My Angel" Fly to the Sky
"Pretty Today Too" Fly to the Sky

Awards and nominations

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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 Ref.
Andre Kim Best Star Awards 2008 Male Star Award First Wives' Club Won [32]
APAN Star Awards 2015 Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama All About My Mom Nominated
2018 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama Marry Me Now Won [33]
2021 The Golden Garden Nominated [34]
Baeksang Arts Awards 2009 Best New Actor – Television First Wives' Club Nominated
KBS Drama Awards 2009 Excellence Award, Actor in a Daily Drama The Road Home Nominated
2015 Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama All About My Mom Nominated
Netizen Award, Actor Nominated
Best Couple Award Lee Sang-woo (with Eugene)
All About My Mom
Nominated
2018 Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama Marry Me Now Won [35]
Netizen Award, Actor Nominated
Best Couple Award Lee Sang-woo (with Han Ji-hye)
Marry Me Now
Nominated
Korea Drama Awards 2018 Top Excellence Award, Actor Marry Me Now Nominated [36]
MBC Drama Awards 2012 Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama Feast of the Gods, The King's Doctor Won
2016 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama Happy Home Won
Best Couple Award Lee Sang-woo (with Kim So-yeon)
Happy Home
Nominated [37]
2017 Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday Drama Children of the 20th Century Nominated
2019 Grand Prize (Daesang) The Golden Garden Nominated
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Weekend Drama Won
SBS Drama Awards 2008 New Star Award First Wives' Club Won
2011 Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama A Thousand Days' Promise Nominated
2013 Excellence Award, Actor in a Weekend/Daily Drama Goddess of Marriage Nominated
2014 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama Glorious Day Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Park, So-young (March 16, 2023). "배우 이상우·AOA 신지민 한식구 됐다..전격 합병 [공식]" [Actor Lee Sang-woo and AOA Shin Ji-min became Korean family members.. Blitz merger [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Naver.
  2. ^ "Jeonju Gears Up for Annual Movie Fest". The Chosun Ilbo. March 31, 2006. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  3. ^ Park, Soo-mee (November 28, 2006). "Family issues and romance dominate new releases". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on October 13, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  4. ^ "Good Old Wives' Club Nears 40% Viewer Rating". KBS Global. July 10, 2008. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  5. ^ "Kim Soo-mi, "Lee Sang-woo, If I had a daughter, I would give her to him"". HanCinema. June 19, 2008. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  6. ^ Kim, Lynn (October 14, 2009). "Elephant invited to int'l film festivals". 10Asia. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  7. ^ Yang, Sung-hee (May 20, 2010). "Writer pushing buttons on TV, again". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on November 17, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  8. ^ Lee, Sooin; Nahm, Sooyeon (September 13, 2010). "Drama reveals changing attitudes about homosexuality". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  9. ^ ""A Thousand Days' Promise" fancy casting". HanCinema. September 18, 2011. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  10. ^ Kim, Myung-hyun (November 30, 2011). "Lee Sang-woo to star in January series". 10Asia. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  11. ^ Hong, Lucia (April 18, 2012). "Actor Lee Sang-woo extends contract with current agency". 10Asia. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  12. ^ "Lee Sang-woo in "The Horse Healer"". HanCinema. June 27, 2012. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  13. ^ Lee, Sun-min (October 30, 2013). "Lee Sang-woo back on SBS". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 26, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  14. ^ Lee, Cory (November 5, 2013). "Lee Sang-woo to Pair Up with Han Hye-jin in New Drama". 10Asia. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  15. ^ Jin, Eun-soo (March 26, 2014). "Leads for Good Day confirmed". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 26, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  16. ^ "'All About My Mom' Shows The Relationship Between A Mother And Daughter". BNT News. August 11, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  17. ^ "Lee Sang-woo to star in "Happy Home" as genius doctor". HanCinema. January 20, 2016. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  18. ^ "[단독] 이상우, '20세기소년소녀' 출연 물망...결혼 후 첫 드라마". Osen (in Korean). July 15, 2017. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  19. ^ "Lee Sang-woo Joins Han Ji-hye for "Shall We Live Together"". HanCinema. December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  20. ^ Yoon Ki-eun (December 15, 2017). "한지혜-이상우, KBS 새 주말극 '같이 살래요?' 주연". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  21. ^ "Shin Dong-wook backs out of role". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on January 9, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  22. ^ "이상우, '진심이 닿다' 최종 합류…"검사 김세원 役" [공식입장]". Naver (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  23. ^ a b Kim Ji-won (December 16, 2020). "도시남녀의 사랑법' 이상윤·이상우·박진주, 감칠맛 더할 특별출연". tenasia.hankyung (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  24. ^ a b Yoon Seong-yeol (April 21, 2021). "TV조선 '오늘은 골프왕' 5월 론칭..김국진→장민호 출연 [공식]". star.mt (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  25. ^ a b Moon Ji-yeon (May 18, 2021). "[공식] 오정세·전혜진→이상우 '엉클' 주연 라인업 확정". Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  26. ^ "TV stars Lee Sang-woo, Kim So-yeon to wed in June". The Korea Times. April 12, 2017. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  27. ^ Kim Myung-mi (February 25, 2022). "더 호텔' 이상우X신혜정X명세빈 출연확정, 대본 리딩 현장 공개" ['The Hotel' Lee Sang-woo X Shin Hye-jeong X Myung Se-bin confirmed to appear, script reading site released] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2022 – via Naver.
  28. ^ Jang Woo-sung (January 21, 2021). "이상우, '펜트하우스2' 특별출연…아내 김소연 특급 외조 [공식입장]". iMBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  29. ^ Kim Na-ra (April 8, 2022). "별똥별', 초특급 카메오의 향연 "박정민X송지효→김동욱X문가영 등 특별출연" [공식]" [Shooting Star', a feast of super special cameos "Park Jung-min X Song Ji-hyo → Kim Dong-wook X Moon Ga-young, etc. Special appearance" [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  30. ^ Hwag, So-young (August 25, 2022). "서지혜·이성재·홍수현·이상우, 문영남作 '빨간풍선' 출연확정" [Seo Ji-hye, Lee Seong-jae, Hong Su-hyeon, Lee Sang-woo, and Moon Young-nam's 'Red Balloon' confirmed] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on August 28, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  31. ^ Kim Soo-jin (May 13, 2022). "이상우, 라베 87타 실력자가 돼 컴백 [골프왕3]" [Lee Sang-woo, comeback with 87 strokes of Rabé [Golf King 3]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022 – via Naver.
  32. ^ "Stars Shine at Andre Kims Atelier". The Korea Times. November 29, 2009. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  33. ^ "이병헌, '미스터 션샤인' 대상 수상..정해인 2관왕(종합)[2018 APAN]". Osen (in Korean). October 13, 2018. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  34. ^ Kim, Yang-soo (October 26, 2020). "APAN어워즈', 방탄X임영웅X현빈X주원…인기상 후보 공개 '뜨거운 경합". joynews24 (in Korean). Daum. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  35. ^ Woo, Bin (January 1, 2019). [2018 KBS 연기대상] 유동근 대상 "장미희 덕분인데 내가 왜..대하드라마 부활 기원" [[2018 KBS Drama Awards] Donggeun Lee Grand Prize "Why am I ... thanks to Jang Mi-hee.]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019 – via Naver.
  36. ^ "2018코리아드라마어워즈 후보 공개". KDFO.org (in Korean). September 22, 2018. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  37. ^ Cha, Soo-hyun (December 22, 2016). "〈2016 MBC 연기대상〉 올해를 빛낸 '최고의 커플&드라마'는?" [<2016 MBC Drama Awards> What is the 'best couple & drama' that shined this year?] (in Korean). iMBC. Archived from the original on September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022 – via Naver.
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