Lee Do-hyun Profile: Actor Who Rose from Zero to Star with Impressive Acting (2025 Updated) 

Lee Do-hyun, a name that resonates with emotional depth and quiet strength, has rapidly emerged as one of the most compelling actors of his generation in the Korean entertainment industry.

With a chameleon-like ability to embody a wide range of characters, from heartbroken sons and time-traveling husbands to calculating strategists, Do-hyun brings a nuanced authenticity to every role he takes on. His rise to prominence has been marked not only by his exceptional acting skills but also by his relentless work ethic, emotional intelligence, and innate charisma. From humble beginnings and early struggles in the audition circuit to critically acclaimed performances in dramas such as “18 Again,” “Youth of May,” and “The Glory,” his journey is a testament to perseverance and passion.

Biography

• Birth name: Lee Dong-hyun
• Stage name: Lee Do-hyun
• Date of birth: April 11, 1995
• Zodiac: Aries
• Height: 182 cm (6’0″)
• Instagram: @ldh_sky

Fun Facts

• His desired title is “an actor you can trust and watch.”
• His stage name, “Lee Do-hyun,” is derived from his birth name, Lim Dong-hyun, with the third letter removed and the remaining consonants taken out.
• His current mid-low voice tone was achieved through specific vocal techniques like “gae-hoe-hip” breathing. He used to have a sharper, higher-pitched voice in the past.
• If he were to have children, he said he would want to pass down manners, influenced by his mother, hoping they would use respectful language well.
• During his school days, he was popular for always being the last runner in the relay race.
• On Valentine’s Day in elementary school, he had so many chocolates on his desk that he took them home with his mother.
• He adopted a Welsh Corgi named “Gaeul” and often brings it to the filming set.
• His basketball position is the team’s game maker, the point guard. His jersey number is No. 11, and he says it is his favorite number. His favorite basketball players are Kyrie Irving and Kim Sun-hyung.
• He is naturally a leader, and even as a child, he often took on roles like class president or vice president. He was also the class representative in university. He believes his leadership style is similar to Lee Eun-hyuk’s.
• His role models are Lee Byung-hun, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Nam-gil, Park Seo-joon, and Jo Jung-suk.
• Before attending a prep school after failing the college entrance exam, he worked at a café. This wasn’t just a typical serving job, but rather café construction work, which taught him a lot, including vocal techniques. He later described repeating the college entrance exam as a turning point in his life.
• He has experience in modern dance and acrobatics and is known for his dancing skills, especially in variety shows like Knowing Brothers.
• He hates scary things and can’t ride amusement park rides. He’s not particularly fond of clothes and prefers wearing comfortable training clothes.
• He is physically coordinated and enjoys exercise, particularly playing basketball and futsal during his leisure time. He has taken on many roles connected to sports due to his love for and skill in sports.
• He claims that he doesn’t drink alcohol and can only handle two drinks at most. He doesn’t particularly like or drink much alcohol.
• He enjoys shopping during sales and likes to visit the store late at night to buy discounted meat, which he enjoys eating with his manager.
• He enjoys cooking and usually follows recipes. His favorite food is ramen, a preference he developed after often eating it with his manager during filming breaks in the countryside. He used to prefer spicy chicken stew but now enjoys ramen more. He doesn’t like shellfish, mussels, or crustaceans but does enjoy jjambbong (spicy seafood noodle soup).
• If he had to describe himself as an animal, he’d choose a “cat-dog.” He wants to be like a jaguar because he likes the sexy image it conveys.
• His habit is to shake his head when he imagines extreme, bad scenarios.
• The superpower he wishes to have is teleportation.
• His dream travel destination is Dubrovnik, Croatia, which he’s wanted to visit for a long time.
• He filmed Hotel Del Luna, Scouting Report, and Sweet Home at the same time. The filming of the latter part of Hotel Del Luna overlapped with Sweet Home, so he couldn’t change his hairstyle, which resulted in Lee Eun-hyuk having long hair.
• He auditioned for Sweet Home at the request of director Lee Eung-bok before he became well-known from Hotel Del Luna. He only learned it was for Lee Eun-hyuk’s role after meeting the director. There’s a behind-the-scenes story where, right after receiving the script, Lee Do-hyun delivered his first line, and director Lee Eung-bok immediately decided he was the right fit for Eun-hyuk.
• He plays the piano and guitar and is particularly skilled at the guitar.
• In 2022, just before entering military service, he filmed The Glory, Bad Mother, and Pawn simultaneously, ensuring his time away from the public eye was minimal.
• He is known to be a fan of the Doosan Bears baseball team and has even thrown the first pitch at a game.

Career

Career Beginnings and Initial Recognition (2017-2019)

Lee Do-hyun made his official acting debut in 2017, taking on the role of the younger version of Jung Kyung-ho’s character in the tvN black comedy “Prison Playbook.” This initial foray, though a supporting role, served as a launchpad. In 2018, he was cast in the SBS romantic television series “Still 17,” portraying Dong Hae-beom, a member of a high school rowing club and a loyal friend. His performance in “Still 17” earned him a nomination for Character of the Year at the SBS Drama Awards, an early indicator of his potential. That same year, he appeared in JTBC’s Clean with “Passion for Now” as Gil Oh-dol, the female lead’s younger brother and a promising Taekwondo athlete.  

A significant early milestone came in 2019 with his role as Kwak Jae-won in “Scouting Report,” the fifth drama of KBS Drama Special’s tenth season. For this performance, Lee won the “Best Actor in a One-Act/Special/Short Drama Award” at the 33rd KBS Drama Awards, his first major acting accolade and a testament to his burgeoning talent even in shorter formats.  

Rise to Prominence and Breakthrough Roles (2019-2020)

The year 2019 proved to be pivotal for Lee Do-hyun, particularly with his memorable supporting role as Go Cheong-myeong in the tvN dark fantasy drama “Hotel del Luna.” Playing the tragic past love of the protagonist Jang Man-wol (played by IU), Lee Do-hyun captivated audiences with his portrayal of a loyal and self-sacrificing warrior. Despite having limited screen time compared to the main leads, his character’s poignant backstory and his emotive performance left a lasting impact, earning him significant recognition and often being cited as a “scene-stealer”. This role demonstrated his ability to convey deep emotion and historical gravitas.  

In 2020, Lee Do-hyun landed his first leading role in the JTBC romantic comedy “18 Again,” a Korean adaptation of the 2009 American film 17 Again. He played the younger version of a man who magically transforms back into his 18-year-old self, sharing the lead with Yoon Sang-hyun. Lee Do-hyun’s portrayal of Hong Dae-young / Go Woo-young was widely praised for its comedic timing, emotional depth, and the nuanced depiction of an older man in a teenager’s body. This performance was a critical success, earning him the Best New Actor award in television at the prestigious 57th Baeksang Arts Awards and the Best New Actor award at the 7th APAN Star Awards. The role solidified his status as a rising star capable of carrying a series.  

Later that year, Lee Do-hyun starred in the Netflix original series “Sweet Home,” an apocalyptic horror drama adapted from the popular webtoon. As Lee Eun-hyuk, a cool-headed and pragmatic medical student leading the survivors, he showcased a different facet of his acting, portraying intelligence and stoicism amidst chaos. The series gained international popularity, further expanding his viewership and critical acclaim for his portrayal of a complex, morally ambiguous character.

Solidifying Stardom: Critical Acclaim and Demonstrated Versatility (2021-Present)

In 2021, Lee Do-hyun starred in the KBS2 drama “Youth of May,” set against the backdrop of the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980. His portrayal of Hwang Hee-tae, a gentle and principled medical student whose life is irrevocably changed by the historical turmoil and his love for Kim Myung-hee (played by Go Min-si), was met with widespread praise. Critics lauded his ability to convey profound love, heartbreaking loss, and quiet resilience, earning him the title of “Next Generation Melo-king”. His performance was described as “phenomenal,” with particular emphasis on his nuanced portrayal of a character who is “all sunshine outside with a light-hearted, kind charm” but carries deep trauma, and his talent shining in scenes of “absolute dejection and pain”. Reviewers noted his “extremely expressive” eyes and sincere emotional delivery. The chemistry between Lee Do-hyun and Go Min-si was also highlighted as a key strength of the drama. For this role, he won the Top Excellence Award, Actor, and Best Couple Award (with Go Min-si) at the 2021 KBS Drama Awards.  

The same year, he took on the role of Baek Seung-yoo in the tvN drama “Melancholia,” playing a math prodigy opposite Im Soo-jung. While the drama itself had a more niche appeal, Lee Do-hyun’s performance was noted for its authenticity in portraying a complex young genius.  

The years 2022 and 2023 saw Lee Do-hyun achieve even greater international recognition with his role as Joo Yeo-jeong in the hit Netflix revenge thriller “The Glory.” Playing a plastic surgeon with a hidden pain who becomes an ally to Song Hye-kyo’s character in her elaborate revenge scheme, Lee Do-hyun demonstrated his capacity for portraying a character with both a gentle, supportive demeanor and a darker, determined side. His performance was praised for adding an “extra layer of intrigue” and for his palpable on-screen chemistry with Song Hye-kyo. Critics noted his ability to navigate the “moral ambiguity” of his character’s actions and his “perfect control of pace and speed,” earning favorable reviews from global fans. Some analyses described his character as a “friendly crazy guy” due to the duality he portrayed, effectively switching between warmth and a chilling intensity. However, one critique suggested that while the cast generally received rave reviews, Lee Do-hyun’s portrayal of the multi-faceted Joo Yeo-jeong was less impactful in blending into the overall narrative compared to other actors in the series.  

In 2023, Lee Do-hyun further showcased his range in the JTBC drama “The Good Bad Mother,” where he played Choi Kang-ho, a prosecutor who, after an accident, regresses to the mental state of a seven-year-old. This role required him to portray vastly different personas – a cold prosecutor, a childlike individual, and someone grappling with disability – a challenge he met with critical acclaim. His detailed acting, from subtle changes in gaze to tone of voice, was praised for increasing immersion. He worked closely with veteran actress Ra Mi-ran, who played his mother, and spoke of learning to refine his “over-preparation” habit from her.  

His big-screen debut came in 2024 with the occult mystery film “Exhuma,” where he played Bong-gil, a rookie shaman adorned with tattoos who works alongside Kim Go-eun’s character. The film was a major box office success. Lee Do-hyun described his film debut as a “very big challenge” and expressed excitement and curiosity about the new medium. While some critics found the performances of Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in Exhuma to be “stiff” or “uninspired” compared to veteran Choi Min-sik, others noted his impressive transformation for the role, particularly a scene where his character is possessed. His portrayal was also described as “hot & sexy” by some commentators, highlighting the visual impact of his character. For “Exhuma,” he won the Best New Actor – Film award at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards.

Personal Life

Early Life, Family, and Education

Lee Do-hyun, born Lim Dong-hyun, hails from Seoul and grew up as the eldest son with a younger brother, Lim Dong-hyuk, who has an intellectual disability. Lee Do-hyun has often spoken about his deep affection and sense of responsibility towards his brother, mentioning him in acceptance speeches and expressing a desire to be a source of strength for him. His family faced financial difficulties during his upbringing, with his mother working multiple jobs and Lee Do-hyun himself taking on part-time work, such as delivering newspapers, from a young age to support them.  

His initial passion was basketball, a sport he played competitively in middle school, even representing Goyang City. However, his father opposed his pursuit of a sports career. Lee Do-hyun’s interest in acting was sparked after watching the film “Sunflower.” While his father was initially against this path as well, his mother secretly supported his ambition by enrolling him in acting classes. He eventually won his father’s approval after a moving performance in a high school play. After repeated attempts, he gained admission to Chung-Ang University’s Department of Film and Theater, where he even served as the class representative.

Dating History

According to Lee Do-hyun himself, he broke up with his girlfriend when he was cast in “Sweet Home”. “I told my girlfriend at the time that we should break up so that I can focus on acting in the drama. I don’t know why I did that”, the actor confessed.

Back in 2020, Lee Do-hyun faced dating rumors after he was spotted liking a photo on SNS platform Instagram. The photo shows a woman wearing a pig hat – which is suspected to be a gift sent to the actor by fans to celebrate his birthday. As a result, many fans expressed disappointment in the actor for giving their gift to his alleged girlfriend.

However, Lee Do-hyun’s agency, Yuehua Entertainment, refuted the claim and explained that the photo was taken around 3 years ago, at a gathering between friends, and the hat was shared among different people.  

In April 2023, Dispatch revealed that Lee Do-hyun is in a relationship with his “The Glory” co-star Lim Ji-yeon. The couple also confirmed this dating news shortly after. 

Ever since, despite Lee Do-hyun having to enlist, the couple were spotted together during his military leave, showing a strong love. 

Net Worth

As of 2025, South Korean actor Lee Do-hyun has an estimated net worth of approximately $5 million. This figure reflects his successful career in television and film, as well as his involvement in brand endorsements and other ventures.

Lee Do-hyun has been the face of a variety of brands across different sectors. His endorsements include:

• Education: Megapass (2020)  
• Real Estate Tech: Zigbang (2021)  
• Fashion & Luxury: Emporio Armani Watch Collection (2021), Hublot (LVMH) (2023), Covernat (2021, 2022). He has also modeled for high-fashion brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, John Varvatos, and Sandro Homme in magazine pictorials , and has been seen in Burberry.  
• Cosmetics & Skincare: NARS (2021), AESTURA (2022).  
• Beverages & Food: Malibu (Pernod Ricard) (2021), Condition (HK inno.N) (2022), Jokmahawk (2022), Saero Soju (Lotte Chilsung Beverage) (2023). The Saero Soju campaign was noted for its unique animated advertisement featuring his voice.  
• Financial Services: Hyundai Card (2021), Hana Financial Group (2023).  
• Gaming: CarrieVerse (2023).  
• Public Service: KOBACO Public Service Advertisement (‘Finding the Stolen Painting’) (2021).  
• Other CFs include: Aronamin Gold (vitamin), Milkis (beverage), Rogaine Foam (hair loss treatment), Blex (massage chair).

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2017	Summer Night	Lim Seo-jin	Bit part, Short film
2024	Exhuma	Yoon Bong-gil	First major film role
TBA	Grand Galaxy	TBA	Upcoming, Pre-production

Television Series

Year	Title	Role	Network	Notes
2017–2018	Prison Playbook	young Lee Joon-ho	tvN	Cameo (Episodes 1, 6, 9)
2018	Still 17	Dong Hae-beom	SBS	Supporting Role
2018–2019	Clean with Passion for Now	Gil Oh-dol	JTBC	Supporting Role
2019	Hotel del Luna	Go Cheong-myeong	tvN	Supporting Role
2019	The Great Show	young Wi Dae-han	tvN	Cameo (Episodes 1–3)
2019	KBS Drama Special – “Scouting Report”	Kwak Jae-won	KBS2	Lead Role (Season 10, Episode 5)
2020	18 Again	young Hong Dae-young / Go Woo-young	JTBC	Lead Role
2020–2024	Sweet Home	Lee Eun-hyuk	Netflix	Main Role (Season 1), Cameo (Season 2), Main Role (Season 3)
2021	Beyond Evil	young Lee Dong-sik	JTBC	Cameo (Episodes 1–2, 5, 11)
2021	Youth of May	Hwang Hee-tae	KBS2	Lead Role
2021	Melancholia	Baek Seung-yoo / Baek Min-jae	tvN	Lead Role
2022–2023	The Glory	Joo Yeo-jeong	Netflix	Main Role
2023	The Good Bad Mother	Choi Kang-ho	JTBC	Lead Role
2023–2024	Death’s Game	Jang Geon-woo	TVING	Cameo (Episodes 4, 6)