Lee Yo-won Biography: Movies, Husband, Height, Parents, Age, Instagram, Ethnicity, Net Worth

Lee Yo-won is a South Korean actress celebrated for her compelling transition from model to critically acclaimed performer in both film and television.

She first gained broad attention through her role in Take Care of My Cat (2001) and later achieved iconic status for portraying Queen Seondeok in the historical drama Queen Seondeok (2009).

Profile

• Full name: Lee Yo-won
• Date of birth: April 9, 1980
• Age: 45 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
• State of origin: Gyeonggi Province
• Nationality: South Korean
• Profession: Actress, Former Model
• Height: 172 cm (5 ft 7¾ in)
• Weight: 48 kg (106 lbs)
• Eye color: Dark Brown
• Hair color: Black
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: One younger brother
• Spouse: Park Jin-woo (married January 10, 2003)
• Children: Three (two daughters and one son — first daughter born December 2003, second daughter May 2014, son May 2015)
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Catholic (baptismal name: Maria)
• Ethnicity: Asian (Korean)
• Net worth: $8 million – $10 million USD

Early Life and Education

Lee Yo-won (45 years old) was born on April 9, 1980, in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. During her teenage years, she entered and won a local modeling contest, which launched her into the fashion industry.

She made her debut as a magazine model for the November 1997 issue of a fashion publication. Lee later attended Dankook University, where she majored in Theater and Film, developing the acting foundation that would later define her career.

Personal Life

Lee Yo-won married businessman and professional golfer Park Jin-woo on January 10, 2003. The couple has maintained a private and stable family life, blessed with three children—two daughters and a son.

Despite her fame, Lee Yo-won is known for keeping her personal life out of the spotlight, rarely appearing with her husband or children in public. She is also a devout Catholic, with her baptismal name being Maria.

Career

Lee Yo-won began her entertainment career as a model, appearing in print campaigns before transitioning into acting in the late 1990s. Her first notable appearance was in the hit film Attack the Gas Station (1999), which gained significant public attention.

However, it was her performance in Take Care of My Cat (2001) that truly established her as a rising star and earned her critical praise.

After taking a brief hiatus following early success, she made a strong comeback with Fashion 70’s (2005) and achieved further recognition in Surgeon Bong Dal-hee (2007), which became a major television hit.

Her defining role came in 2009 with Queen Seondeok, where she played the titular queen—a performance that brought her nationwide fame and multiple awards.

Over the years, Lee Yo-won has continued to showcase her range through projects such as:

• 49 Days (2011) — a fantasy melodrama where she portrayed dual roles.
• Empire of Gold (2013) — a political and business drama.
• My Horrible Boss (2016) — a light-hearted workplace comedy.
• Avengers Social Club (2017) — a revenge-driven drama series.
• Green Mothers’ Club (2022) — portraying a complex and ambitious mother in a tight-knit community.

Awards and Nominations

• Blue Dragon Film Awards (2001): Best New Actress – Take Care of My Cat
• SBS Drama Awards (2007): Top Excellence Award, Actress – Surgeon Bong Dal-hee
• Grimae Awards (2009): Best Actress – Queen Seondeok
• Asia Model Festival Awards (2010): Special Award for Asian Drama
• MBC Drama Awards (2009): Top Excellence Award, Actress – Queen Seondeok
• Korea Drama Awards (2017): Excellence Award – Avengers Social Club

Net Worth

Lee Yo-won’s net worth is estimated at $8 million to $10 million USD. Her income primarily comes from leading roles in television dramas and films, endorsements with Korean beauty and lifestyle brands etc.

Social Media

• Instagram: @yowon_official

Filmography

Films:

• 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:

• Fashion 70’s (2005)
• Surgeon Bong Dal-hee (2007)
• Queen Seondeok (2009)
• 49 Days (2011)
• Empire of Gold (2013)
• My Horrible Boss (2016)
• Avengers Social Club (2017)
• Green Mothers’ Club (2022)