Lee Hye Young – Biography, Age, Korean Dramas & Movies

AUTHOR: | April 18, 2026 | 6 min. read


Distinguished South Korean Actress With A Legacy Spanning Theater, Film, And Television

Lee Hye-young stands as a respected figure in South Korea’s entertainment industry, known for her extensive contributions across stage and screen. Her enduring presence and depth of experience have made her a significant artist worth exploring in detail.

👸 Who Is Lee Hye-young?

Lee Hye-young is a veteran South Korean actress whose career began in the early 1980s and continues actively today. She is recognized for her versatility across theater, feature films, and television dramas, earning a reputation as one of the prominent actresses of her generation. Over the decades, she has delivered notable performances in films such as The Blazing Sun and No Blood No Tears, as well as in popular television dramas including I’m Sorry, I Love You and Boys Over Flowers.

Her acting portfolio reflects a wide range of characters and genres, establishing her as a respected senior figure in South Korean entertainment. Lee’s longevity and adaptability have cemented her status as a distinguished actress with a deep connection to the industry’s evolving landscape.

🪪 Quick Profile

  • Full Name: Lee Hye-young
  • Hangul: 이혜영
  • Birth Date: 1962-11-25
  • Age: 63 years 8 months 12 days
  • Nationality: South Korea
  • Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

🌱 Early Life & Background

Born on November 25, 1962, in Seoul, South Korea, Lee Hye-young is the daughter of the acclaimed film director Lee Man-hee. Tragically, her father passed away in 1975 when she was still in middle school, a loss that marked her early life. Despite this, she grew up in an environment closely connected to the arts and film culture due to her father’s legacy.

This early exposure to the cinematic world likely influenced her eventual path into acting, providing her with a unique perspective on storytelling and performance from a young age.

🎓 Education & Training

Lee Hye-young attended Sunjung High School, where she completed her secondary education. While specific details of formal acting training are not documented, her early involvement in musical theatre indicates practical experience and on-the-job learning that contributed significantly to her development as an actress.

Her foundational education and early stage work laid the groundwork for a career that spans multiple performance mediums, showcasing her commitment to honing her craft from the outset.

🎬 Career Beginnings

Lee Hye-young began her acting career in 1981 at the age of 18, debuting in a local musical theatre production of The Sound of Music. This initial experience in musical theater marked the beginning of a diverse career that would encompass stage, film, and television. Her early work in theater allowed her to develop a strong presence and versatility as a performer.

Throughout the 1980s, she became one of South Korea’s prominent actresses, starring in several influential films such as The Blazing Sun and Winter Wanderer. These early roles helped establish her reputation as a serious and capable actress, paving the way for a sustained career across multiple entertainment platforms.

🎥 Notable Works & Iconic Roles


Bitter Sweet Hell (2024)

Kill Heel (2022)

Big Bet (2022)

🎬 Acting Style & Public Image

Lee Hye-young’s acting style is characterized by its emotional depth and adaptability, allowing her to inhabit a wide array of characters convincingly. Her performances often convey a nuanced understanding of complex emotional states, making her roles memorable and impactful. This range has earned her respect among peers and audiences alike.

Publicly, she is viewed as a dignified and seasoned actress who brings authenticity and gravitas to her work. Her longstanding presence in the industry underscores a professional image marked by dedication and artistic integrity, contributing to her enduring appeal.

🎞️ Drama & Movie List (Key Roles)


Year Title Role Type
2025 The Old Woman with the Knife Hornclaw Movie
2024 A Traveler’s Needs Wonju Movie
2024 Bitter Sweet Hell Hong Sa-gang TV Drama
2024 미안하다, 사랑한다 2024 오들희 TV Drama
2022 The Novelist’s Film Junhee Movie
2022 Walk Up Ms. Kim Movie
2022 The Anchor Lee So-jung Movie
2022 Kill Heel Ki Mo-ran TV Drama
2022 Big Bet Go Young-hee TV Drama
2021 A Year-End Medley Catherine Movie

🔽 View Complete Acting, Movies & Variety Credits
🔴 Click here to expand full filmography


Year Title Role Type
2021 In Front of Your Face Sangok Movie
2018 I Have a Date with Spring Yogurt Delivery Mom Movie
2018 Mother Kang Young-shin / Cha Young-shin TV Drama
2018 Lawless Lawyer Cha Moon-Sook TV Drama
2012 무작정 패밀리 Variety Show
2012 Baeksang Arts Awards Self Variety Show
2009 Boys Over Flowers Kang Hee-soo TV Drama
2008 The Devil’s Game Lee Hye-rin Movie
2005 Fashion 70’s Jang Bong-sil TV Drama
2004 Low Life Tae-woong’s mother Movie
2004 I’m Sorry, I Love You Oh Deul-Hee TV Drama
2002 No Blood No Tears Kyeong-seon Movie
2000 If Dr. Ha-young Movie
1999 A Nursery Tale Devil Movie
1999 Goodbye My Love Variety Show
1996 Papa Yoon Hye-won TV Drama
1995 The Hair Dresser Variety Show
1994 Sudden Change Jang Yeji Movie
1993 Passage to Buddha Ma-ni Movie
1992 Myong-Ja Akiko Sonia Variety Show
1991 Fly High, Run Far Hae-wol’s wife Movie
1991 Blood and Fire 최영실 Movie
1991 The Winter Dream Does Not Fly Variety Show
1990 North Korean Partisan in South Korea Kim Hee-suk Movie
1990 Korean Connection Variety Show
1989 Second Sex Variety Show
1988 The Age of Success Sung So-bee Movie
1988 Dangerous Scent Hye-ri Movie
1988 Sa Bang-ji Sa Bangji Movie
1987 A Street Musician Music
1987 Flower Blooms Even on a Windy Day Variety Show
1987 The Home of Two Women Variety Show
1986 Ticket Miss Hong Movie
1986 Winter Wanderer Variety Show
1986 A Queen Bee Variety Show
1985 The Blazing Sun Hyang-sim Movie
1984 Between the Knees Bo-young Movie
1983 Mrs. Kim Ma-ri Variety Show
1982 Mother’s Wedding Variety Show

🏆 Awards & Achievements

Despite her extensive career, there are no publicly documented awards or formal recognitions associated with Lee Hye-young. Her contributions to South Korean cinema and television have nonetheless been significant, reflected more in her consistent work and respected status than in formal accolades.

🌸 Personal Life

Lee Hye-young is known to maintain a private personal life, with limited publicly available information beyond her familial connection to her father, the late director Lee Man-hee. Her focus remains primarily on her professional endeavors, and she has not been involved in public controversies or widely reported personal events.

🆕 Recent & Upcoming Projects

Lee Hye-young continues to be active in the entertainment industry, with credited work extending as recently as 2025. Her ongoing involvement in film and television projects demonstrates her sustained relevance and adaptability in a competitive field. Specific details about upcoming roles remain limited, but her career trajectory indicates continued engagement with diverse acting opportunities.

🎈 Fun Facts

  • Daughter of a Renowned Director

    Lee Hye-young is the daughter of Lee Man-hee, a celebrated South Korean film director who passed away when she was young.

  • Theatre Roots

    Her acting career began on stage with a musical production of The Sound of Music at age 18.

  • Long Career Span

    She has been active in the entertainment industry for over four decades, from 1981 to the present.

🌟 Legacy & Why Fans Love Lee Hye-young

Lee Hye-young’s legacy is built on decades of solid performances that have contributed significantly to South Korean cinema and theater. Fans appreciate her for the emotional authenticity and depth she brings to her roles, as well as for her ability to evolve with the industry while maintaining a strong artistic presence. Her work in the 1980s helped define an era of Korean film, and her continued activity keeps her connected to newer audiences.

Her enduring appeal lies in her professionalism and the respect she commands within the acting community. Admirers value her as a symbol of dedication and artistic resilience, qualities that have earned her a lasting place in the hearts of viewers and colleagues alike.

➡️ Discover More

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