Early life and education
Lee Hee-jun was born on June 29, 1979 in Songhyeon-dong, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, South Korea. [1] After completing high school without knowing what he wanted to do, he entered the Department of Chemical Engineering at Yeungnam University. [4]
The turning point in his life came a week before his military enlistment, when he had a farewell party and got into a car accident that required major surgery. As a result, he was exempted from military service. Despite being exempt, he lost interest in his studies and wandered for a while, spending his days playing guitar, singing, and drinking. During this time, he happened to see a poster for a children's theater company in Daegu and out of curiosity, he visited the theater company. [5] Lee worked as the youngest member of the Daegu theater company 'Onnuri' for approximately 2 years and 6 months. Instead of being an actor, his role within the troupe involved tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and putting up posters. Lee independently studied and followed Stanislavsky's book 'Actor's Class'. [6]
Lee Hee-jun debuted on in 1999 with the play 'Tourist Zone.' [7] He discovered a passion for acting while performing in children's plays such as 'The Jungle Book' and 'Cinderella'. Later on, he developed a strong desire to receive formal acting training, which led him to drop out of the chemical engineering department at Yeungnam University. [6] [4]
Career
In 2002, Lee, who dropped out of Yeungnam University, met Lee Yun-taek and joined the Yeonheedan street troupe and lived at Miryang Theater Village for a year. He also appeared as King Oedipus in the opening production of the 2nd Miryang Theater Festival, Oedipus. [8]
Afterwards, Lee Hee-jun moved to Chaimu Theater Company and played the lead role, making a name for himself in Daehakro. [9]
Afterwards, he wanted to take acting lessons in a more systematic way, so he applied to Korea National University of Arts, but was rejected. In the end, he took the exam again and proudly entered school at the age of 24 (Class of 2003). [6] The university is famous for its rigorous, practical-oriented curriculum. When he was an engineering student, he was tired of theory classes, so life at a practical-oriented Korean art school was like heaven. To paraphrase his own words, “I loved school.” So good was he that he attended on scholarship for all eight semesters, three of which he even received full scholarships. [4]
In 2005, he further showcased his talent by appearing in the musical 'Lee.' He continued to hone his acting skills through various projects, including notable works like 'The King and the Clown' and the 2007 play 'Byun.' In 2009, he further enriched his repertoire with performances in 'Melodrama' and 'There in Chuncheon.' [7]
Lee Hee-jun has recently showcased the acting experience he accumulated through his involvement in musicals and theater productions, transitioning to the screen and television. He made a notable appearance in the 2007 film 'Secret Sunshine,' portraying a minor character that garnered attention due to his captivating presence. Subsequently, he actively pursued supporting roles, featuring in films such as 'The Predators' (2009), 'Unfair Trade' (2010), 'Yellow Sea' (2010), 'Heart is Beating' (2011), 'Special Edition' (2012), and 'Detective Cha' (2012). [7]
Lee Hee-jun also appeared on TV as a member of the Chaimu Troupe. When he appeared in the play 'B Unso' in 2010, he was noticed by a KBS drama special producer and began to make a name for himself by appearing in several one-act plays. [10] Starting with the 4-part series 'Perfect Spy' last May, 'Cupid Factory' last month, and recently 'Ilbeom Dong-il', actor Lee Hee-jun (32) has impressed viewers with his impressive acting in 'Drama Special' one after another. [4]
Lee Hee-jun gained recognition through the KBS2 drama special 'Texas Hits' in 2010, where he portrayed a gangster running a gambling site and impressed viewers with his acting. At the time, he was called a 'star of one-act plays'. [7]
After that, he appeared in drama serial series 'Perfect Spy'. At the press conference for 'Perfect Spy', actor Son Hyun-joo praised Lee Hee-jun, saying, "He will become a star like Song Sae-byeok." He was recognized for his excellent acting skills even before gaining popularity. [7]
After 'Perfect Spy', Lee Hee-jun appeared in 'Cupid Factory' where he portrayed the character of So-jun, a composer who struggled to write a song due to a lack of dating experience. Despite the absurd premise of purchasing a machine at 'Cupid Factory' to make oneself fall in love, Lee Hee-jun portrayed the character effortlessly, creating an engaging story that was well received by viewers. He emerged as a promising actor discovered by the KBS drama department. [7]
In 2012, Lee Hee-jun then appeared in KBS hit drama My Husband Got a Family , where he portrayed the role of Cheon Jae-yong, a charming and innocent man. [11] His presence in the drama played a significant role in shaping his career, contributing to his current success, and gaining public awareness and popularity. [7] He won the Best New Actor Award in the TV category at the 2013 Baeksang Arts Awards.
Lee joined the theater company 'Ganda Performance Delivery Service' as an early member. The company was formed by friends who collaborated on creative projects while attending Korea National University of Arts, with CEO Min Jun-ho at the forefront. Jin Seon-kyu, was also part of the company in its early stages. [6]
Lee later appeared in several works including 'Jeon Woo-chi', 'God of the Workplace', 'Yuna's Street', 'Mistress', and the movies 'Sea Fog', '1987', 'Miss Baek', and 'Namsan Managers'. In each of these works, he showcased a high level of character immersion, transcending both the small and big screens. As a result, he was reborn as a 'trustworthy actor'. [11]
