Lee Jin-hee (Korean: 이진희; Hanja: 李珍熙; born February 15, 1983) is a South Korean actress. Debuting in the play “Mother” in 2004, Lee has worked in variety of acting mediums, such as plays, musicals, movies and television dramas. She is also an actress with good acting reputation in Daehangno.
Early Life and Career
Lee Jin-hee born on February 15, 1983. When She was young her dreams were to become Freshman No. 5, teacher or actress. Road to pursue acting started when Lee transferred from a humanities high school to Gyewon Arts High School (계원예술고등학교) in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do due to his father’s job transfer. She majored in theater in high school. Then She got her Bachelor Degree in Theater from Department of Theater of Yong In University located in Samgak-dong, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Lee Jin-hee started her jouney as actress as member of the theater company Yeonhui Dangeori (연희단거리패). She debuted in 2004, with role young Il-soon in play Mother, lead by veteran actress Son Sook. The play was performed as Coex Art Hall opening commemorative performance. She joined several other works with the troupe from 2004 to 2006, such as Acrobat’s First Love and Deceived by Love and Crying for Money.
In 2007, She moved to Daehangno, Seoul. Lee auditioned for Agnes of God which was a play She wanted to do since high school. The lead actress of the play were veteran actress Park Jeong-ja and Son Sook, whom she met in her debut play Mother. She failed the audition. Instead, in January, Lee appeared in play The Cockscomb Flower (written by Lee Kang-baek, directed by Choi Joong-min).
After appearing in that work, Lee was introduced to director Jang Yoo-jung, who trusted Lee with lead role Choi Min-hee in her musical Oh While You Were Sleeping. This work is her debut as a musical actress. director Jang Yoo-jung also trusted her to do lead role Ahn So-yi for play the play Melodrama (2007). Her accomplishments in those works, made Lee received an offer from Director Kwang-jin Yoon to finally appear in play Agnes of God.
In 2008, She worked with Director Seo Jae-hyung and Playwright Han Ahreum from Theater Company Run to Death (극단-죽도록 달린다) in play Hoya (호야(好夜)). Followed by play Applause for Julie, and Youth, 18 to 1 and Tournament.
Career
Lee cinematic debut was a minor role in Finding Mr. Destiny (2010). In 2013, She was cast in first leading role in feature film 48 Meters (2014) directed by director Min Baek-doo. 48 Meters is a human rights film based on the moving true story of those North Korean who risk death for freedom across the shortest distance of 48 meters across the Yalu River, which is called the distance between life and death. Lee Jin-hee took on the role of Ryu Hwa-young, who lost her parents while trying to escape from North Korea as a child. Lee played opposite of Park Hyo-joo who took the role of broker Park Seon-hee.
After doing many minor roles in small screen in SBS Glorious Day (2014), SBS Entertainer (2016), tvN Memory (2016), in 2017 Lee was cast as supporting role in MBC mini-series Two Cops, for the role Woo Hye-in, the widow of detective Cho Hang-joon, former partner of detective Cha Dong-tak starring Jo Jung-suk. In 2018, Lee done another MBC Drama A Pledge to God as supporting role Na Hae-Jim’s mother, Ha Ji-mo. In 2019 she returned in SBS drama series VIP. Her role is Kang Ji-young, the head of VIP concierge, an outspoken woman who is not afraid of her manager.
Her brief appearance in When the Camellia Blooms (2019) as owner of tan salon and friend of Dong-baek were quite memorable. In the KBS 2TV drama Sell Your Haunted House (2021), episode 8, Lee Jin-hee made friendship appearance as the mother of Won-gwi Byul-i, a child ghost. She also appeared in tvN drama series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha episode 2 and episode 9 as Hye-jin’s mother.
In 2021 Lee joined television drama series Here’s My Plan as Kim Bok-hee, a grandmother caregiver. This drama screenplay was winner of outstanding work at the 2020 MBC Drama Screenplay Contest and was selected with the highest praise from judges. It was aired on MBC TV from May 19–27, 2021.
In May 2022, it was announced that Lee will joined the third work of The 9th Best Plays Festival, play Touching the Void by David Greig. It is based on the true story of the survival of two British mountain climbers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates. Son is double casts with actress Son Ji-yoon for role Sara, Joe Simpson’s sister. Korean premiere is directed by Kim Dong-yeon, and was performed at Art One Theater 2 in Daehangno from July 8 to September 9, 2022.
Husband
Lee Jin-hee met her husband, a fellow actor, Ahn Se-ho in Open Run Musical Oh! While You were Sleeping in 2007. They did many projects together afterward. They both are represented by the same agency Alien Company.
Net Worth
Lee Jin-hee’s net worth as of 2022 is estimated at around $2.5 million – $10 million.
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