Lee Joon-ik Biography: Awards, Net Worth, Wife, Age, Movies, Books, Children, Ethnicity

Lee Joon-ik is a South Korean filmmaker renowned for his ability to blend history, humanity, and artistry in cinema.

Best known for The King and the Clown (2005), one of Korea’s highest-grossing films, he has carved a niche as a director deeply invested in exploring Korean history, identity, and compassion through emotionally rich storytelling.

Profile

• Full name: Lee Joon-ik
• Date of birth: September 21, 1959
• Age: 67 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Seoul, South Korea
• State of origin: Seoul
• Nationality: South Korean
• Profession: Film Director, Producer
• Height: 176 cm (5 ft 9 in)
• Weight: 70 kg (154 lbs)
• Eye color: Dark Brown
• Hair color: Black
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Married
• Children: Two sons (one of whom, Lee Joon-seung, works in the creative industry)
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Buddhism
• Ethnicity: Asian (Korean)
• Net worth: $6 million – $8 million USD

Early Life and Education

Born in Seoul, South Korea, on September 21, 1959, Lee Joon-ik is now at the age of 66. He displayed a keen artistic inclination from a young age. He studied Oriental Painting at Sejong University, but left before graduating to pursue his creative interests in other forms.

Before becoming a film director, Lee worked in poster design and film marketing, which gave him foundational experience in visual storytelling and audience engagement.

Personal Life

Lee Joon-ik is known for his humility and private nature. Though he rarely discusses his family in public, it is known that he is married with two sons. One of his sons, Lee Joon-seung, is involved in Korea’s creative industry.

Career

Lee Joon-ik began his journey in the film industry as a poster designer and marketer, which led him to establish the Cineworld production company in the early 1990s.

He made his directorial debut with Kid Cop (1993), a family comedy, but gained little attention at the time. His breakthrough came a decade later with Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield (2003), which showcased his flair for mixing humor with history.

His next major project, The King and the Clown (2005), became a cultural phenomenon, drawing over 12 million viewers domestically. The film not only elevated Lee’s status but also marked a turning point for Korean historical cinema, balancing satire, tragedy, and humanism.

He followed up with a string of acclaimed works:

• Radio Star (2006) and The Happy Life (2007) – emotional portraits of aging musicians and friendship.
• Sunny (2008) – a wartime musical drama blending nostalgia with resilience.
• Blades of Blood (2010) – a stylized period action film exploring justice and betrayal.
• Hope (2013) – based on a real-life case, it earned him praise for empathy-driven storytelling.
• The Throne (2015) – an intense royal drama about filial piety and tragedy.
• Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet (2016) – a black-and-white biopic about poet Yun Dong-ju, acclaimed for its minimalist beauty.
• Anarchist from Colony (2017) – based on Korean independence activist Park Yeol.
• The Book of Fish (2021) – filmed in monochrome, it won Lee the Grand Prize at the Baeksang Arts Awards for its lyrical portrayal of friendship and philosophy.

Through his work, Lee Joon-ik has become synonymous with historical realism and moral depth, often exploring the tension between personal values and societal pressures. He is also credited with nurturing new talents and advocating for socially conscious storytelling in Korean film.

Awards and Nominations

• Baeksang Arts Awards (2021): Grand Prize (Daesang) – The Book of Fish
• Baeksang Arts Awards (2016): Grand Prize (Daesang) – Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet and The Throne
• Grand Bell Awards (2006): Best Film – The King and the Clown
• Grand Bell Awards (2017): Best Director – Anarchist from Colony
• Blue Dragon Film Awards (2015): Best Director Nominee – The Throne
• Korean Association of Film Critics Awards (2016): Best Director – Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet
• Asia Pacific Screen Awards (2021): Achievement in Directing – The Book of Fish

Net Worth

Lee Joon-ik’s net worth is estimated between $6 million and $8 million USD. His earnings are derived from film directing and production contracts, ownership stake in his production company (Cineworld).

Social Media

N/A

Filmography

Director:

• Kid Cop (1993)
• Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield (2003)
• The King and the Clown (2005)
• Radio Star (2006)
• The Happy Life (2007)
• Sunny (2008)
• Blades of Blood (2010)
• Battlefield Heroes (2011)
• Hope (2013)
• The Throne (2015)
• Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet (2016)
• Anarchist from Colony (2017)
• Sunset in My Hometown (2018)
• The Book of Fish (2021)

Producer:

• Kick the Moon (2001)
• Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield (2003)
• Radio Star (2006)
• The Happy Life (2007)

Books

• Lee Joon-ik: The Cinema of Humanity (2018)