Lee Joon-gi Biography: Parents, Instagram, Books, Age, Movies, Girlfriend, Net Worth, Height, Ethnicity, Awards

Lee Joon-gi is a South Korean actor, singer, dancer, and model celebrated for his versatile talent and dynamic screen presence.

He gained global recognition for his breakout role as the androgynous clown Gong-gil in The King and the Clown (2005), a performance that revolutionized Korean cinema and catapulted him to stardom.

Profile

• Full name: Lee Joon-gi (이준기)
• Date of birth: April 17, 1982
• Age: 43 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Busan, South Korea
• State of origin: Busan
• Nationality: South Korean
• Profession: Actor, Singer, Dancer, Model
• Height: 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
• Weight: 66 kg (145 lbs)
• Eye color: Dark Brown
• Hair color: Black
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: One younger sister
• Spouse: Unmarried
• Children: None
• Relationship status: Single
• Religion: Buddhism
• Ethnicity: Asian (Korean)
• Net worth: $15 million – $18 million USD

Early Life and Education

Born on April 17, 1982, in Busan, South Korea, Lee Joon-gi (43 years old) was raised in a modest household. His fascination with acting began after seeing a live performance of Hamlet during his high school years.

Determined to pursue his passion, he moved to Seoul after graduation, working various part-time jobs while auditioning for entertainment roles.

He was later accepted into the Seoul Institute of the Arts, majoring in Theater Arts. His early years were marked by struggle and perseverance; Lee reportedly auditioned over 200 times before landing his first major roles.

Personal Life

Lee Joon-gi is known for his private and disciplined lifestyle. He has never been married and keeps details about his relationships away from the public eye. His known past relationship was with actress Jeon Hye-bin, his co-star from Joseon Gunman; the couple dated publicly in 2017 but amicably separated later that year due to busy schedules.

Career

Lee Joon-gi began his career as a model and commercial actor in the early 2000s, appearing in fashion shoots and TV ads before transitioning to television and film. His first screen appearances included The Hotel Venus (2004) and Flying Boys (2004).

His career breakthrough came with The King and the Clown (2005), where his role as the delicate clown Gong-gil was hailed as groundbreaking.

The film became one of the highest-grossing in Korean history at the time, surpassing 12 million domestic viewers, and earned Lee immense fame across Asia. His portrayal blurred traditional gender lines and established him as an “icon of beauty and depth” in Korean media.

Following this success, he starred in the hit romantic comedy My Girl (2005-06), further expanding his popularity in Asia. He then explored action and historical dramas, taking lead roles in:

• Time Between Dog and Wolf (2007) – an espionage thriller.
• Iljimae (2008) – a beloved period drama that solidified his Hallyu (Korean Wave) status.

After completing mandatory military service (2010–2012), Lee made a triumphant comeback with Arang and the Magistrate (2012) and Gunman in Joseon (2014). He continued diversifying his roles with:

• Scholar Who Walks the Night (2015) – a fantasy historical drama.
• Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016) – a time-travel romance, where he portrayed Prince Wang So, earning international acclaim.
• Criminal Minds (2017) – the Korean adaptation of the U.S. procedural.
• Lawless Lawyer (2018) – blending courtroom drama with action.
• Flower of Evil (2020) – a gripping psychological thriller showcasing his range.
• Again My Life (2022) – where he played a prosecutor granted a second chance at life.

In 2023 and 2024, he continued to take on challenging projects, appearing in high-concept K-dramas and expanding into global OTT (streaming) collaborations, solidifying his international presence.

Awards and Nominations

• 2006 Baeksang Arts Awards: Best New Actor (Film) – The King and the Clown
• 2008 Seoul International Drama Awards: Outstanding Korean Actor – Iljimae
• 2013 Seoul International Drama Awards: Outstanding Korean Actor – Arang and the Magistrate
• 2016 SBS Drama Awards: Top Excellence Award (Actor) – Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
• 2017 Asia Artist Awards: Fabulous Award – Criminal Minds
• 2018 StarHub Night of Stars (Singapore): Best Male Asian Star – Lawless Lawyer
• 2020 APAN Star Awards: Excellence Award – Flower of Evil
• 2022 SBS Drama Awards: Top Excellence, Actor – Again My Life

Net Worth

Lee Joon-gi’s net worth is estimated between $15 million and $18 million USD. His earnings come from a diversified portfolio of work, including: Lead acting roles in top-rated K-dramas and feature films. Endorsements for international brands.

Social Media

• Instagram: @actor_jg
• X: @JGshock

Filmography

Films:

• The Hotel Venus (2004)
• Flying Boys (2004)
• The King and the Clown (2005)
• Virgin Snow (2007)
• May 18 (2007, cameo)
• Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017, Hollywood debut)

Television:

• My Girl (2005–2006)
• Time Between Dog and Wolf (2007)
• Iljimae (2008)
• Hero (2009)
• Arang and the Magistrate (2012)
• Gunman in Joseon (2014)
• Scholar Who Walks the Night (2015)
• Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
• Criminal Minds (2017)
• Lawless Lawyer (2018)
• Flower of Evil (2020)
• Again My Life (2022)

Discography

• My Jun, My Style (2006)
• J Style (2009)
• Deucer (2012)
• CBC/Case by Case (2013)
• Exhale (2014)
• Thank You (2016)
• The Flower of Evil OST (2020 – special single contribution)

Books

• Lee Joon-gi’s Story Book: Episode I (2007) – A photo essay and personal reflections.
• Lee Joon-gi Japan Photobook: Delight (2016) – Released exclusively for the Japanese market.