Lee Byung-hun became the first South Korean actor to present an award at the Academy Awards in 2016, a milestone in his career of navigating both the domestic Korean industry and major Hollywood productions. Since his 1991 television debut, he has established himself as a versatile performer, moving between intense action films, period dramas, and global streaming phenomena.
Formative Years and Early Career
Born in Seoul in 1970, Lee attended Joongdong High School and pursued higher education at the Hanyang University ERICA Campus, Chung-Ang University, and Hanyang University. His professional path began in 1991 following a talent audition for KBS, leading to his screen debut in the television drama Asphalt My Hometown. Throughout the 1990s, he garnered local attention through roles in projects like Asphalt Man and The Harmonium in My Memory.
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The year 2000 marked a turning point with his role as a border-guard soldier in Park Chan-wook's Joint Security Area. The film shattered box office records, establishing Lee as a top-tier performer. His trajectory continued with the 2003 television series All In, which brought him the Grand Prize at the SBS Drama Awards. Over the following decade, he became a consistent presence in high-profile Korean cinema, including acclaimed works such as A Bittersweet Life, I Saw the Devil, and the historical hit Masquerade, which surpassed 10 million admissions.
International Expansion
Lee expanded his portfolio into Hollywood starting with the 2009 film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra as Storm Shadow, a role he reprised in the 2013 sequel. His American credits include Red 2 alongside Bruce Willis, Terminator Genisys, and The Magnificent Seven. In 2012, he and actor Ahn Sung-ki became the first South Korean actors to place their hand and foot prints on the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.
Recent Television Success
In recent years, Lee has maintained a heavy workload in both film and television. His work in the Netflix series Squid Game, spanning seasons 1, 2, and 3, provided him with a new level of global recognition. His other recent notable projects include the series Mr. Sunshine and Our Blues, as well as the 2025 film No Other Choice, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.
Fast facts
- Born: 1970, Seoul, South Korea
- Education: Hanyang University, Chung-Ang University
- Hollywood Debut: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
- Academy Awards: First South Korean presenter (2016)
- Chinese Theatre: Imprinted hand and foot prints in 2012
- Major Awards: Grand Bell Awards, Blue Dragon Film Award
- Notable Series: Squid Game, Iris, Mr. Sunshine
Questions readers ask
Was Lee Byung-hun the first South Korean actor to present at the Oscars?
Yes, he was the first South Korean actor to present an award at the annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles in 2016.
Which Hollywood franchise features Lee Byung-hun as Storm Shadow?
He portrayed the character Storm Shadow in the films G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and G.I. Joe: Retaliation.
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