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

January 17, 2026 | 6 min. read


South Korean Actor and Singer Known for Versatile Roles Across Music and Drama

Lee Jun-young has steadily carved a unique niche in South Korea’s entertainment industry, seamlessly balancing his career as both a singer and an actor. With a growing portfolio of diverse roles and musical projects, his evolving presence has attracted attention from audiences and critics alike.

🧔 Who Is Lee Jun-young?

Lee Jun-young is a South Korean singer, rapper, and actor who initially gained recognition as a member of the boy band U-KISS, debuting in 2014. He expanded his profile by joining the survival program The Unit, which led to his participation in the project group UNB. As an actor, he has earned wider acclaim through notable supporting roles in recent Netflix series such as “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and “Weak Hero Class 2.”

Beyond his music roots, Lee Jun-young has built a reputation for his dynamic acting range, often portraying complex characters that showcase his versatility. His career spans numerous television dramas, films, and musical theater, reflecting a commitment to growth across multiple entertainment domains.

Weak Hero (2022)
Weak Hero

🪪 Quick Profile

  • Full Name: Lee Jun-young
  • Hangul: 이준영
  • Birth Date: 1997-01-22
  • Age: 29 years 7 months 29 days
  • Nationality: South Korea
  • Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

🌱 Early Life & Background

Born on January 22, 1997, in Uijeongbu, South Korea, Lee Jun-young grew up in a cultural environment that fostered his artistic aspirations. Details about his family background remain private, but his early life set the foundation for his later pursuits in music and acting.

📚 Education & Training

While specific information about Lee Jun-young’s formal education is limited, his continuous development as a performer is evident through his professional training and experience. His involvement in musical theater and acting projects suggests a dedication to honing his craft beyond initial debut stages.

May I Help You? (2022)
May I Help You?

🎤 Career Beginnings

Lee Jun-young’s career began in earnest when he joined U-KISS as a new member in 2014, making his debut with the group’s ninth mini album “Mono Scandal.” This period marked his introduction to the K-pop industry, where he established himself as a singer and hip-hop dancer. His early years with U-KISS laid the groundwork for his multifaceted career.

In 2017, Lee ventured into acting with his debut in the television series “Avengers Social Club.” That same year, he participated in the survival program The Unit, where he achieved first place among finalists and subsequently promoted with the project group UNB. This phase was pivotal as it expanded his visibility and opened doors to more acting opportunities alongside his musical activities.

🌟 Notable Works & Iconic Roles


When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025)

Melo Movie (2025)

Pump Up the Healthy Love (2025)

🎬 Acting Style & Public Image

Lee Jun-young is recognized for his ability to embody a wide spectrum of characters, from charismatic idols to intense antagonists. His performances often exhibit a natural charisma paired with emotional depth, which resonates well with diverse audiences. His background as a performer in music and dance adds a physical expressiveness to his acting, enhancing his on-screen presence.

Publicly, Lee is viewed as a dedicated and versatile entertainer who embraces challenges across genres. His willingness to take on villainous roles alongside romantic leads has earned him praise for breaking typecasting, further solidifying his image as a dynamic and evolving actor within the industry.

🎞️ Drama & Movie List (Key Roles)


Year Title Role Type
2025 Tokyo Taxi Kim Yeong-gi Movie
2025 When Life Gives You Tangerines Park Young-beom TV Drama
2025 Melo Movie Hong Si-joon TV Drama
2025 Pump Up the Healthy Love Do Hyeon-joong TV Drama
2024 Badland Hunters Choi Ji-wan Movie
2024 The Impossible Heir Kang In-ha TV Drama
2024 Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale Moon Cha-min TV Drama
2023 Brave Citizen Han Su-gang Movie
2023 Mask Girl Choi Bu-young TV Drama
2022 Love and Leashes Jung Ji-Hoo Movie

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


Year Title Role Type
2025 Sixth Sense: City Tour Self Variety Show
2023 The Seasons Self Variety Show
2023 Salon Drip Self Variety Show
2022 Lean on Me Variety Show
2022 May I Help You? Kim Tae-hee TV Drama
2022 Weak Hero Geum Seong-je TV Drama
2021 Imitation Kwon Ryok TV Drama
2021 D.P. Jeong Hyeon-min TV Drama
2021 Let Me Be Your Knight Yoon Tae-in TV Drama
2021 Kingdom: Legendary War Guest (U-Kiss) TV Drama
2020 Good Casting Kang Woo-Won TV Drama
2020 Please Don’t Date Him Jung Kook-Hee TV Drama
2019 Class of Lies Yoo Beom-Jin TV Drama
2019 How Do You Play? Self Variety Show
2018 The Manager Self Variety Show
2018 Goodbye to Goodbye Han Min-Soo TV Drama
2018 Movie Room Self Variety Show
2018 Amazing Saturday Self Variety Show
2017 Avengers Social Club Lee Soo-Gyum TV Drama
2017 A Special Meal of the Weirdo ‘Nara’ Pyeon Dol I TV Drama
2011 Law of the Jungle Variety Show
2010 Running Man Variety Show

🥇 Awards & Achievements

Throughout his career, Lee Jun-young has received numerous awards and nominations recognizing his talents both as an actor and performer. Highlights include the Best New Actor awards at the 2018 MBC Drama Awards and the Korea Musical Awards in 2021. He has also won multiple accolades at the Asia Artist Awards, including Best Actor and Best Acting Performance.

In 2025, he earned the Excellence Award for Actor in a Miniseries at the APAN Star Awards for his work on “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and “Pump Up the Healthy Love.” His consistent recognition reflects his growing impact and respect within the entertainment community.

Please Don't Date Him (2020)
Please Don’t Date Him

💖 Personal Life

Lee Jun-young maintains a private personal life, focusing public attention primarily on his professional endeavors. He is known to engage with fans through social media and public events, fostering a positive and approachable image. Details about his relationships or family remain undisclosed, consistent with his preference for privacy.

🚧 Recent & Upcoming Projects

Lee Jun-young continues to be active in both acting and music. In 2024 and 2025, he took on roles in several high-profile projects including the Netflix movies “Badland Hunters” and “Melo Movie,” as well as the Disney+ series “The Impossible Heir” and TVING’s “Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale.”

In 2025, he appeared in the historical drama “The Queen Who Crowns,” earning praise for his portrayal of King Sejong, and starred in the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and “Weak Hero Class 2.” Additionally, he is featured in the KBS2 drama “Pump Up The Healthy Love,” further showcasing his range and sustained popularity.

Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale (2024)
Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale

🎈 Fun Facts

  • Versatile Performer

    Lee Jun-young is not only a singer and actor but also a skilled hip-hop dancer and MC.

  • Survival Show Success

    He won first place on the survival program The Unit, leading to his membership in the project group UNB.

  • Musical Theater Experience

    He has performed in several musicals, including “Swag Age: Shout out, Chosun!” where he won a Best New Actor award.

  • Action Training

    For his role in Netflix’s “D.P.,” he trained in boxing and performed his own stunts.

  • Multi-Lingual Singing

    Lee Jun-young has released songs in Korean, Japanese, and English, showcasing his linguistic versatility.

🌟 Legacy & Why Fans Love Lee Jun-young

Lee Jun-young has become beloved by fans for his authentic performances and ability to navigate multiple entertainment fields with ease. His consistent growth from idol singer to acclaimed actor highlights a dedication that resonates with audiences who appreciate his multifaceted talent and commitment.

Fans admire his charisma and versatility, especially his skillful shifts between romantic and villainous roles, which demonstrate his depth as an actor. His frequent appearances in popular OTT dramas have earned him nicknames like “OTT Prince,” underscoring his influence in contemporary Korean entertainment.

🧭 Discover More

Find more profiles featuring diverse talents and acting careers :


KDW Editor Editorial Team, KDramaWorlds

This review was written and fact-checked by the KDW editorial team — a small group of K-drama viewers who watch every title before writing about it. No screeners, no synopsis-only takes.

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