Lee Jong-suk debuted as a model at age 15 in 2005, becoming the youngest male to walk the Seoul Collection runway. His transition from fashion to screen acting defined his career in South Korea, leading to prominent roles in television dramas and films that secured his position as a recognized public figure in the domestic entertainment industry.
Early Career and Training
Born in Suwon in 1989, Lee attended Yongdong Middle School and Yangjae High School before pursuing higher education at Konkuk University, where he majored in Professional Motion Pictures and Art, graduating in 2016. His early professional path began in the fashion industry before he briefly trained as an idol group member. Seeking to act, he moved toward television, officially debuting in the 2010 series Prosecutor Princess and the horror film Ghost.
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Lee gained initial visibility through his supporting role in the drama Secret Garden and the sitcom High Kick Season 3. His career transitioned to leading roles starting with School 2013, for which he earned a Best New Actor award at the 2012 KBS Drama Awards. He subsequently starred in I Can Hear Your Voice, Doctor Stranger, and Pinocchio, the latter two of which established his presence in international markets, particularly China. These projects earned him multiple accolades, including the Male Top Excellence Award at the 8th Korea Drama Awards.
Professional Diversification
Throughout his career, Lee balanced his television work with film roles in productions such as The Face Reader, the sports film No Breathing, the teen drama Hot Young Bloods, and the crime thriller VIP. In 2016, he headlined the fantasy series W, for which he received the Daesang at the MBC Drama Awards. His later projects included the 2017 series While You Were Sleeping and the 2022 legal drama Big Mouth.
Management and Military Service
Lee underwent mandatory military service beginning on 8 March 2019. Due to a previous anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in a car accident at age 16, he served as a public service officer. He was discharged on 2 January 2021. Professionally, he managed his career through various agencies, including YG Entertainment and YNK Entertainment, eventually establishing his own management label, A-man Project.
Fast facts
- Born: 1989, Suwon, South Korea
- Education: Konkuk University
- Modeling debut: 2005
- Official acting debut: 2010
- Military service: 2019–2021
- Notable role: Big Mouth (2022)
- Philanthropy: Donated 100 million won to Hope Bridge (2022)
Questions readers ask
Did Lee Jong-suk serve in the military?
Yes, he served as a public service officer from March 2019 to January 2021.
What was his debut role?
His official acting debut was in the 2010 South Korean television series Prosecutor Princess.
Achievements
- Educated at Yongdong Middle School, Yangjae High School and Konkuk University
- Worked as model, film actor and actor
