Biography
Lee Yo-won is a renowned actress recognized for her versatile performances. She began her career in the late 1990s, gaining early attention with her role in the film “Attack the Gas Station” (1999). Her portrayal of Queen Seondeok in the 2009 historical drama “Queen Seondeok” brought her widespread acclaim and solidified her status in the industry.
In 2011, Lee Yo-won showcased her range by playing dual roles in the fantasy melodrama “49 Days”. She continued to take on diverse characters, such as a determined surgeon in “Surgeon Bong Dal-hee” (2007) and a powerful businesswoman in “Empire of Gold” (2013). Her performance in the 2016 romantic comedy “My Horrible Boss” was well-received, highlighting her comedic timing. In 2019, she starred in the espionage series “Different Dreams”, commemorating the centennial of the March 1st Movement.
Lee Yo-won is married to businessman and professional golfer Park Jin-woo, with whom she has three children. Throughout her career, she has been recognized with several awards, reflecting her talent and dedication to the craft.
Profile
- Name: Lee Yo-won
- Birth name: Lee Yo-won
- Birthday: April 9, 1980
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- Height: 173 cm
- Instagram: @yowon_official
- Twitter: N/A
Career
Lee Yo-won entered the entertainment industry unexpectedly in 1997 when she won the grand prize at a model casting competition while participating in her high school broadcasting club. She debuted as a model in the November issue of Figaro magazine and soon appeared on the covers of numerous fashion publications.
In 1998, she was cast in the film “Scent of a Man” by director Jang Hyun-soo, who saw her in a magazine while looking for a young actress to play the childhood version of Myung Se-bin. She made her acting debut with the film and soon gained popularity through roles in “School 2” (1999), “Attack the Gas Station” (1999), and the KBS drama “Tough Guy’s Love” (2000). Her youthful image and talent quickly made her a rising star in commercials and dramas.
In 2001, she gained critical acclaim for her performance in the film “Take Care of My Cat,” which earned her the Best New Actress award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. That same year, she starred in her first lead role in the KBS drama “Blue Mist.” She continued to build her career with lead roles in “Pure Heart,” “Surprise,” and “Africa.” In 2002, she starred in the SBS historical epic “The Great Ambition” but took a two-year hiatus from acting following her sudden marriage.
Lee Yo-won made a successful return to the screen in 2005 with the SBS drama “Fashion 70s.” Her role in the film “When Romance Meets Destiny” (2005) was also well-received. In 2007, she achieved massive success with the medical drama “Surgeon Bong Dal-hee,” winning four awards at the SBS Drama Awards, including Top Excellence and Best Couple. That same year, she starred in the box office hit May 18, which attracted over 7 million viewers.
In 2009, she solidified her status as a top actress by playing the title role in MBC’s hit historical drama “Queen Seondeok,” which became a cultural phenomenon. She received the Top Excellence Award and Best Couple Award at the MBC Drama Awards for her performance.
She continued her success in 2011 with the SBS fantasy drama “49 Days,” playing a dual role that showcased her versatility. In 2012, she starred alongside Cho Seung-woo in the MBC medical period drama “The King’s Doctor” as Kang Ji-nyung, a skilled female physician. In 2013, she played Choi Seo-yoon, a cool-headed chaebol heiress, in “Empire of Gold,” earning praise for her emotional depth and winning Top Excellence and Top 10 Stars at the SBS Drama Awards.
In 2016, Lee Yo-won starred in the JTBC drama “My Horrible Boss,” earning acclaim for her sharp and charismatic performance. She followed this with MBC’s “Night Light,” where she played Seo Yi-kyung, an ambitious, cold-hearted businesswoman with a powerful presence.
In 2017, she returned to film in the family comedy “My Little Brother,” portraying Oh Soo-kyung, a passionate journalist and the second sibling among four. That same year, she captivated audiences in the tvN series “Avengers Social Club,” playing Kim Jung-hye, a wealthy woman seeking revenge on her husband. Her nuanced and powerful performance was praised as one of her best, with many calling it a “career-defining role.”
In 2019, she took on the role of Lee Young-jin, a Korean surgeon and secret agent, in “Different Dreams,” a spy melodrama set during the Japanese colonial era. She also starred in “The Running Mates: Human Rights” the same year, though the show struggled with ratings.
After a 2.5-year break, Lee Yo-won returned in 2022 with the JTBC drama “Green Mothers’ Club,” playing Lee Eun-pyo, marking another evolution in her career.
With a diverse filmography that spans historical dramas, contemporary series, films, and comedies, Lee Yo-won has consistently demonstrated her acting range and project selection. From her breakout roles in “Tough Guy’s Love” and “The Great Ambition” to her acclaimed performances in “Queen Seondeok,” “49 Days,” and “Empire of Gold,” she remains a respected and enduring presence in the Korean entertainment industry.
Personal Life
Early Life
Lee Yo-won was born on April 9, 1980, in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. During her sophomore year in high school in 1997, she entered a modeling contest without high expectations and won the grand prize. This victory led to her debut as a model in the November issue of the monthly fashion magazine “Figaro.”
Following this, she graced the pages of numerous fashion magazines. In 1998, director Jang Hyun-soo, searching for a young actress to portray a younger version of actress Myung Se-bin, noticed Lee’s magazine photos and cast her in the film “Scent of a Man,” marking her acting debut. She then appeared in various television dramas and films, gradually gaining recognition in the entertainment industry.
Marriage
Lee Yo-won married businessman and professional golfer Park Jin-woo on January 10, 2003. The couple has three children: two daughters and one son, born in December 2003, May 2014, and May 2015, respectively. Despite her early success in the entertainment industry, Lee Yo-won has maintained a relatively private personal life, balancing her career and family with grace.
Net Worth
As of April 2025, specific and reliable information regarding Lee Yo-won’s net worth is not publicly available. While some South Korean actresses have disclosed their earnings, such as Lee Young-ae with an estimated net worth of $52 million , Lee Yo-won has chosen to keep her financial details private. Therefore, any figures presented online should be approached with caution, as they may not accurately reflect her actual financial status.
Filmography
Film
- Scent of a Man (1998)
- Attack the Gas Station! (1999)
- Take Care of My Cat (2001)
- A.F.R.I.K.A. (2002)
- Surprise Party (2002)
- When Romance Meets Destiny (2005)
- May 18 (2007)
- The Recipe (2010)
- Perfect Number (2012)
- Fists of Legend (2013)
- My Little Brother (2017)
Television Series
- I Hate You, But It’s Fine (1998)
- March (1999)
- School 2 (1999)
- Tough Guy’s Love (2000)
- Blue Mist (2001)
- Pure Heart (2001)
- The Great Ambition (2002)
- Fashion 70s (2005)
- Surgeon Bong Dal-hee (2007)
- Cruel Love (2007)
- Queen Seondeok (2009)
- 49 Days (2011)
- The King’s Doctor (2012)
- Empire of Gold (2013)
- My Horrible Boss (2016)
- Night Light (2016)
- Avengers Social Club (2017)
- Different Dreams (2019)
- The Running Mates: Human Rights (2019)
- Green Mothers’ Club (2022)
Facts
- She enjoys water sports and has even tried skydiving once.
- Actor Lee Joong-moon is her cousin.
- Interestingly, it was not her parents but her grandfather who was most strongly opposed to her becoming an actress.
- Lee Yo-won is a natural left-hander but is also skillful with her right hand.
- Although she is an actress, Lee Yo-won once said she doesn’t watch a lot of movies for leisure. During her time studying theatre and film, she watched movies for assignments and now mainly watches films for work, so she rarely finds joy in casual viewing.
- A fan of G-DRAGON, she once attended one of his solo concerts.
- Lee Yo-won has claustrophobia. She said that filming a surgery scene for over 20 hours while standing was easier than shooting a four-hour scene trapped under a bed.
- Lee Yo-won admires Kim Mi-sook as a role model and deeply respects her.
- Though she doesn’t collect perfumes, she likes Estée Lauder’s “Pleasures” and more recently became fond of Jo Malone’s “Red Roses.”
- She was only 23 when she announced her marriage in 2003—a rare move for a young actress. Surprisingly, she continued to thrive in her career after becoming a mother, helping to challenge the stereotype that female celebrities fade away after marriage.
- Lee Yo-won is known for choosing good projects. Many of her 2000s works were commercial hits, and even her lesser-known 2010s dramas are often considered hidden gems.
