Biography
Lee Joo-bin is a versatile actress and model known for her captivating performances in both television dramas and films. She began her career with notable roles in “Be Melodramatic” (2019) and “Find Me in Your Memory” (2020), earning a Best New Actress nomination at the 2020 MBC Drama Awards. Her versatility was further showcased in series such as “She Would Never Know” (2021) and “Doctor Lawyer” (2022). Lee also gained international attention for her role in “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area” (2022). Before pursuing acting, she was a trainee under DSP Media, almost debuting with the girl group Rainbow in 2009. She later transitioned to acting, with her recent work including the upcoming series “Queen of Tears” (2024).
Profile
- Name: Lee Joo-bin
- Birth name: Lee Joo-bin
- Birthday: December 22, 1991
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- Height: 164 cm
- Instagram: @leejoobin_official
- Twitter: N/A
Career
Lee Joo-bin began her career in the entertainment industry as a trainee under DSP Media, with aspirations to debut in the girl group Rainbow in 2009. However, she eventually departed from the group, choosing to pursue a career in acting instead.
Lee Joo-bin ‘s acting debut occurred in 2017 with roles in the television series “Whisper” and the film “Lalala.” She gained significant recognition for her portrayal of Lee So-min in the 2019 drama “Be Melodramatic,” which led to a Best New Actress nomination at the 2020 MBC Drama Awards. Her other notable works include “Find Me in Your Memory” (2020), where she played Jung Seo-yeon, and “She Would Never Know” (2021), portraying Lee Hyo-joo. In 2022, Lee Joo-bin expanded her repertoire with roles in “Doctor Lawyer” as Lim Yu-na and in “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area” as Yun Mi-seon. She continues to captivate audiences with her recent performances in “Love to Hate You” (2023) as Oh Se-na and “Queen of Tears” (2024) as Cheon Da-hye.
In addition to her acting career, Lee Joo-bin has made appearances in various music videos, including SS501’s “A Song Calling for You” in 2008. Her diverse talents and dedication to her craft have solidified her status as a prominent figure in the South Korean entertainment industry
Personal Life
Early Struggles
Although Lee Joo-bin may not yet be a household name, her recognition has grown significantly over time. However, her path to fame was far from easy. From a young age, Lee Joo-bin dreamed of becoming famous, but her journey was marked by persistent challenges. For ten years, she auditioned tirelessly, only to face repeated rejection. Her debut as an actress came at the age of 28, when she landed a role as a silent female secretary in the SBS drama “Whisper” a far from ideal beginning for a newcomer.
Reflecting on this difficult period, Lee Joo-bin shared in an interview with Yonhap, “I spent a decade working various part-time jobs to cover tuition and living expenses while continuing to audition. My first real acting role, ‘Mr.Sunshine,’ was special because it marked the first time I had a part with dialogue.” Despite countless rejections, she persevered, holding on to her dream and believing that giving up without trying her hardest would be pointless.
Looking back, she admits that the frustration of auditioning for so long while feeling left behind weighed on her. Now, though, she is working to manage that pressure. Having portrayed many flashy, appearance-driven characters, she now longs for a role that feels more grounded and relatable. In fact, Lee Joo-bin shared that she only purchased her first car last year, having previously relied on public transportation. Through these experiences, she continues to seek characters that reflect her true self—ordinary and easy to connect with.
Natural Beauty
Lee Joo-bin is a natural beauty and considered a “born beauty.” Despite her appearance, she has large hands, and when she clenches her fist, it forms a straight fist commonly seen in men. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, her angular straight fist was highlighted in campaign photos. While she claims her hands are not large, they still appear quite big. She is also famous for her legendary ID photo, which gained attention on social media but was later used without permission, causing legal issues and various damages.
In terms of appearance, she closely resembles Kim Min-ju, a former member of IZ*ONE and now an actress. She is also often compared to actresses Park Soo-jin, Seol In-ah, and to TWICE’s Sana and Tzuyu, as well as Lee Si-an from “Single’s Inferno 4.” While she is not particularly tall, she has a small head and an exceptional body ratio, which led to modeling offers. Additionally, her feet are considered very beautiful, and she frequently receives offers to model for nail art companies. Many people praise her for having a youthful appearance compared to others in her age group.
Dating History
In December 2017, reports emerged suggesting she was in a relationship with actor Kim Min-seok. Allegedly, the two had been dating since July 2017 and were seen together in Fukuoka, Japan.
However, both Lee Joo-bin’s and Kim Min-seok’s agencies promptly addressed these rumors, stating that the two are close friends but not romantically involved. They clarified that their coincidental presence in Japan was due to overlapping schedules, and any claims of a romantic relationship were unfounded.
Since then, Lee Joo-bin has not publicly confirmed any relationships, and there have been no further reports linking her to any romantic partners. She continues to focus on her career, gaining recognition for her roles in various television dramas.
Net Worth
Lee Joo-bin has gained recognition through her roles in various television dramas and films. While her exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, her involvement in popular projects suggests a substantial income.
Additionally, her significant following on social media platforms,where she shares aspects of her personal and professional life,may also play a role in her overall financial profile.
Filmography
Film
- Lalala (2017)
- Joseon Farmers Dictionary (2017)
- The Roundup: Punishment (2024)
Television Series
- Whisper (2017)
- Mr. Sunshine (2018)
- My Only One (2018–2019)
- Trap (2019)
- Item (2019)
- Be Melodramatic (2019)
- The Tale of Nokdu (2019)
- Hello Dracula (2020)
- Gu Doo Ri’s Sushi Restaurant (2020)
- Find Me in Your Memory (2020)
- She Would Never Know (2021)
- Love Spoiler (2021)
- Doctor Lawyer (2022)
- Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area (2022)
- Love in Contract (2022)
- Love to Hate You (2023)
- Queen of Tears (2024)
- Tarot (2024)
- The Divorce Insurance (2025)
- Twelve (2025)
Web Series
- Love Is Jungle (2018)
Facts
- She was a former DSP Media trainee and part of Rainbow’s debut team but left when their debut was repeatedly delayed. In an interview, she shared that she didn’t have a strong desire to become a singer and felt too old for idol life. She also mentioned on “Happy Together” that she didn’t think her singing skills were strong enough, which led her to quit and pursue acting.
- Her specialty is ballet, and she frequently posts photos and videos of her ballet practice on her personal Instagram, showcasing poses that maintain the fundamentals of dance.
- She has expressed a strong desire to take on roles in action, thriller, noir, and time-loop genres, even though she has mostly appeared in romantic comedies so far.
- In a MapleStory commercial released on August 28, 2014, she made a significant impact by showing off her strong fist skills, appearing as a master of rock-paper-scissors.
- As an actress, her role models are Kim Hye-soo and Seo Hyun-jin.
- Her favorite snack is jelly, which she enjoys regularly.
- She loves traveling and, when not traveling, enjoys working out or making things with her hands.
- In 2023, she bought a new BMW X4.
- She is a senior at university to actress Jeon Yeo-bin, with whom she starred in “Be Melodramatic.”
- She used to have a Maltese dog named Sunny, who passed away on February 21, 2020, but as of November 2024, she has been raising a Chartreux cat.
- She frequently attends mass at Apgujeong Cathedral and is said to be even more beautiful in person than in the media.
