Lee Jung-eun (Korean: 이정은; born January 23, 1970) is a South Korean actress.[2][3] She is best known internationally for her role as the housekeeper Moon-gwang in the film Parasite,[4] which won four Academy Awards and became the first non-English language film to win the award for Best Picture.[5]
Lee Jung-eun | |
---|---|
이정은 | |
Born | Seoul, South Korea | January 23, 1970
Education | Hanyang University – Theater and Film |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1991–present |
Agent | Will Entertainment |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 이정은 |
Hanja | 李姃垠[1] |
Revised Romanization | I Jeong-eun |
McCune–Reischauer | I Chŏngŭn |
Lee Jeung-eun started out as theater play assistant director. After graduating from the Department of Theater and Film at Hanyang University she debuted in the play A Midsummer Night's Dream in 1991.[6][7] In 2000, she made her big screen debut with minor role in the movie A Masterpiece In My Life. It was followed by another minor role, in 2001 film Wanee & Junah. Lee experienced camera fright and those cinematic acting experience traumatized her. Lee decided to go back onstage.[8]
In 2000s, beside active in theater, Lee also made a living as an acting teacher. Two of her pupils were Ye Ji-won and Lee Eun-joo. On the recommendation of Professor Lee Hye-kyung, the head of the Department of Theater and Film at Kookmin University, Lee was introduced to Lee Hyo-ri, and became an acting teacher for her SBS drama role.[9][10]
Her breakthrough as an actress was in the 2008 musical Laundry, one of most representatively creative musicals in Korea. Lee played multiple roles as a master, a grandmother, and an employee.[11] Through this work, Lee received her first award, the Young Drama Awards (2008). She joined the musical Laundry again in 2009 and 2012. In addition to Laundry, she worked with director Choo Min-joo on the reading performances of House with Fig Trees and Scars, as well as the musical Good Morning School.[12]
Lee Jung-eun, who has gained a reputation in the musical field, decided to try film projects again. Costume director Choi Se-yeon, who was also the producer of the musical Laundry, recommended her for an audition. In 2009, Lee appeared in a minor role in Bong Joon-ho's film Mother. This marked her first collaboration with director Bong Joon-ho.[13]
In 2014, Lee debuted in the television drama The Queen's Classroom. Lee Jung-eun drew attention from the public for her role as the Shaman of Seobinggo-dong in the tvN drama series Oh My Ghost (2015).[6]
In 2017, Bong Joon-ho, already familiar with Lee in his film Mother (2009) offered her the "leading role" in the action-adventure film Okja. It was actually a job as the voice actor of a genetically modified pig named Okja. Lee decided to accept the role and worked hard researching for this role by visiting a pig farm.[13] This marked her second collaboration with director Bong Joon-ho and featured an international cast, including Tilda Swinton and Paul Dano. Okja was screened in several independent theatres domestically, and released on streaming platform Netflix worldwide.
In 2019, Lee reunited with director Bong Joon-ho for the black comedy thriller film Parasite. Lee played the supporting character of Gook Moon-gwang (국문광; Guk Mungwang), the Parkses' housekeeper, who also worked for the house's architect and previous owner of the house.[14] Her acting skills were recognized for her role and she has won numerous awards, mostly in the supporting actress category, including the Busan Film Critics Association Award, Buil Film Award, Chunsa Film Award and Blue Dragon Film Award.[15]
In 2022, Lee was cast as her first solo starring role in 30 years in Shin Su-won’s film Hommage.[16] Lee acted as a middle-aged film director hitting a slump who time travels when she restores the film, The Female Judge, created by Hong Eun-won, the second Korean female director in the 1960s. It was released at the 23rd Jeonju International Film Festival, which opened on April 28, 2022. On December 15, 2022, Lee won Best Actress at The 23rd Women’s Film Awards held at Cinecube Gwanghwamun in Seoul.[17]
After winning the Best Jury Prize at the 20th Florence Korea Film Festival, the film was officially invited to the Viewpoints section of the 21st Tribeca Film Festival.[18]
Lee has also won international accolades, such as The Best Actor Award of the 7th London East Asia Film Festival. The jury selected Lee as the award winner based on her depictions of desire, frustration, and the courage she displayed as a middle-aged woman whose dreams were delicately and realistically depicted by Lee in Hommage.[19] Lee also won the Best Performance Award at the 15th Asia Pacific Screen Awards.[16]
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
English | Korean | ||||
2000 | A Masterpiece In My Life | 불후의 명작 | Jin-won's wife | [8] | |
2001 | Wanee & Junah | 와니와 준하 | Producer | [8] | |
2009 | If You Were Me 4 | ||||
Mother | 마더 | Ah-jeong's relative | [13] | ||
2013 | Born to Sing | 전국노래자랑 | Dong-soo's aunt | ||
The Attorney | 헬머니 | Former landlord | |||
Bug | 벌레 | Mom | |||
2014 | A Girl at My Door | 도희야 | Neighborhood woman | ||
Cart | 카트 | Cashier | |||
A Dynamite Family | Women's society | ||||
2015 | Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island | 조선명탐정: 사라진 놉의 딸 | Middle aged woman | ||
Granny's Got Talent | Grandmother shaman's daughter-in-law | ||||
The Exclusive: Beat the Devil's Tattoo | 특종: 량첸살인기 | Inn Keeper | |||
Summer Snow | Woman from Hwasun | ||||
2016 | Mood of the Day | 그날의 분위기 | Rainbow restaurant aunt | ||
A Violent Prosecutor | 검사외전 | Middle aged female canvasser | |||
Like for Likes | 좋아해줘 | Real estate middle aged woman | |||
4th Place | Owner of covered wagon | ||||
Time Renegades | 시간이탈자 | High school teacher | |||
The Wailing | 곡성 | Deok-gi's wife | |||
With or Without You | BBQ restaurant part-timer | ||||
A Break Alone | Past yoga institute | ||||
2017 | New Trial | 재심 | Oh Mi-ri | ||
The Sheriff in Town | 보안관 | Yong-hwan's wife | |||
Okja | 옥자 | Okja's voice / Wheelchair woman | voice | [13] | |
The Battleship Island | 군함도 | Women's society chairman | [20] | ||
A Taxi Driver | 택시운전사 | Hwang Tae-sool's wife | [21][22] | ||
Yakiniku Dragon | Go Young-sun | ||||
2018 | Adulthood | Judge | |||
Miss Baek | 미쓰백 | Massage shop owner | [23] | ||
Hello | Short film | ||||
2019 | Mal-Mo-E: The Secret Mission | 말모이 | Jeju teacher | Cameo | |
Another Child | 미성년 | Breakwater middle-aged woman | |||
Parasite | 기생충 | Gook Moon-gwang | [13] | ||
Let Us Meet Now | Jung-eun | ||||
2020 | Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP | 미스터 주: 사라진 VIP | Gorilla | voice | [24] |
The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날 | Suncheondaek | [25] | ||
2021 | The Book of Fish | 자산어보 | Gageo Daek | [26] | |
Bechdel Day 2021 | 벡델데이 2021 | photographer | [27] | ||
2022 | House of Blessing | Insurance | [28] | ||
Take Care of Mom | 말임씨를 부탁해 | senior employee insurance company | Special appearance | [29] | |
Good Morning | 안녕하세요 | Nurse friend at the fishing grounds | Special appearance | ||
Hommage | 오마주 | Kim Ji-wan | Independent film | [30][31] | |
Woman in the White Car | Hyeon-joo | It premiered at the 26th BIFAN. | [32] | ||
2023 | Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman | 천박사 퇴마 연구소: 설경의 비밀 | Madame | Special appearance | [33] |
Year | Title | Role | Note | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
English | Korean | ||||
2013 | The Queen's Classroom | 여왕의 교실 | Seon-yeong's mother | ||
Blue Tower | 푸른거탑 | Ostrich farm owner/grandmother | |||
Blue Tower ZERO | 푸른거탑 제로 | Jong-hoon's mother | |||
Royal Villa | 시트콩 로얄빌라 | Lee Jung-eun | |||
2013–2014 | Shining Romance | 빛나는 로맨스 | |||
2014 | Cunning Single Lady | 앙큼한 돌싱녀 | Beauty parlor boss | Cameo | |
High School King of Savvy | 고교처세왕 | Soo-yeong's mother | |||
My Lovely Girl | 내겐 너무 사랑스러운 그녀 | Mr. Jung's wife | Cameo (episode 3) | ||
Only Love | 사랑만 할래 | Park Soon-ja | |||
2015 | Who Are You: School 2015 | 후아유: 학교 2015 | Yeong-eun's mother | Cameo (episode 2–3) | |
Oh My Ghost | 오 나의 귀신님 | Shaman in Seobinggo-dong | |||
My Fantastic Funeral | 나의 판타스틱한 장례식 | Mi-soo's aunt | |||
Songgot: The Piercer | 송곳 | Kim Jeong-mi | |||
2015–2016 | Remember | 리멤버 – 아들의 전쟁 | Yeon Bo-mi | ||
2016 | Pied Piper | 피리부는 사나이 | Oh Ha-na | ||
Hey Ghost, Let's Fight | 싸우자 귀신아 | Apartment chairwoman | |||
Don't Dare to Dream | 질투의 화신 | Doctor | Cameo | ||
The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop | 월계수 양복점 신사들 | Geum Chon-daek | |||
Drama Special – Noodle House Girl | KBS 드라마 스페셜 - 국시집 여자 | Ok-sim | one act-drama | ||
2016–2017 | Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo | 역도요정 김복주 | Joon-hyeong's mother | ||
2017 | Tomorrow, With You | 내일 그대와 | Cha Boo-sim | ||
Ice Bing-gu | 빙구 | Lee Jeong-eun | |||
Bad Thief, Good Thief | 도둑놈, 도둑님 | Kwon Jeong-hee | |||
Fight for My Way | 쌈 마이웨이 | Geum-bok | |||
Someone who might know | 알 수도 있는 사람 | Kim Jin-yeong | Cameo | ||
While You Were Sleeping | 당신이 잠든 사이에 | Jae-chan's mother | |||
Drama Special – Buzz Cut's Date | KBS 드라마 스페셜 - 까까머리의 연애 | Yeong-hee | one act-drama | ||
Drama Stage – Assistant Manager Park's Private Life | 드라마 스테이지 - 박대리의 은밀한 사생활 | ||||
2018 | Nice Witch | 착한마녀전 | Chief | Cameo | |
Ms. Hammurabi | 미스 함무라비 | Couple manager | |||
Mr. Sunshine | 미스터 션샤인 | Go Ae-shin's loyal maid | [34] | ||
Familiar Wife | 아는 와이프 | Woo-jin's mother | [35] | ||
My Strange Hero | 복수가 돌아왔다 | Mother of a Your Request client | Cameo (episode 4) | [36] | |
2019 | The Light in Your Eyes | 눈이 부시게 | Moon Jung-eun | [37] | |
Welcome to Waikiki 2 | 으라차차 와이키키 2 | Kimbap Heavenly owner | Cameo (episode 3) | [38] | |
When the Devil Calls Your Name | 악마가 너의 이름을 부를 때 | Cameo | |||
Hell Is Other People | 타인은 지옥이다 | Eom Bok-soon | [39] | ||
When the Camellia Blooms | 동백꽃 필 무렵 | Jo Jung-sook | |||
2020 | Hi Bye, Mama! | 하이바이, 마마! | Shaman in Seobinggo-dong | Cameo (episode 4 & 10) | [40] |
A Piece of Your Mind | 반의 반 | Kim Min-jung | |||
Once Again | 한 번 다녀왔습니다 | Kang Cho-yeon | |||
2021 | Law School | 로스쿨 | Kim Eun-sook | ||
Monthly Magazine Home | 월간 집 | Lee Soo-jung | Cameo | [41] | |
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha | 갯마을 차차차 | Kim Yeon-ok | Cameo | [42] | |
2022 | Our Blues | 우리들의 블루스 | Jeong Eun-hee | [43] | |
Missing: The Other Side | 미씽: 그들이 있었다 | Kang Eun-sil | Season 2 | [44] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
English | Korean | ||||
2016 | The Cravings 2 | Mom | |||
2020 | My Holo Love | 나 홀로 그대 | So-yeon's mother | Cameo | |
2022 | Juvenile Justice | 소년 심판 | Na Geun-hee | [45][46] | |
Soundtrack #1 | 사운드트랙 #1 | Eun Su-mo | [47] | ||
Yonder | 욘더 | Siren | [48] | ||
Little America | Sook-ja | Season 2 – (Ep. 1: Mr. Song) | [49] | ||
2023 | A Bloody Lucky Day | 운수 오진 날 | Hwang Soon-gyu | [50][51] | |
Daily Dose of Sunshine | 정신병동에도 아침이 와요 | Song Hyo-shin | [52] | ||
2024 | Light Shop | 조명가게 | [53] | ||
TBA | Alone in the Woods | 아무도 없는 숲속에서 | Yoon Bo-min | [54] |
Year | Title | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
English | Original | |||||
2001 | Subway Line 1 | 지하철 1호선 | Grandma Gombo | [56] | ||
2008 | Laundry | 빨래 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | Oriental Art Theater Hall 1 (Former Art Center K Square Theater) | 03.15–08.17 | [57] |
2009 | Doosan Art Center Yeongang Hall | 4.28–6.14 | [58] | |||
MBC Lotte Art Hall | 09.18–09.20 | |||||
The Eggs and Nuclear Small Theater | 08.29–12.31 | [59] | ||||
2011 | Good morning school ver.7 | 굿모닝 학교 ver.7 | Bonggyeongja | Hakjeon Blue Small Theater | 11.11–12.25 | [60] |
2012 | Laundry | 빨래 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | Maru Hall, Yongin City Culture and Arts Center | 02.11–02.12 | [61] |
Hakjeon Green Small Theater | 04.04–10.07 | [62] | ||||
2012–2013 | Assassin | 어쌔신 | Sarah Jane Moore | Doosan Art Center Yeongang Hall | 11.20–02.03 | [63] |
2013 | Laundry | 빨래 | Laundry Owner (grandma) | Art One Theater 2 | 03.14–10.05 | [64] |
2015 | Laundry - 10th Anniversary | 빨래 - 10주년 기념 | Oriental Art Theater Hall 1 (Former Art Center K Square Theater) | 06.10–06.14 | [65] | |
2016–2017 | Laundry | 빨래 | 2016.03.10–2017.02.26 | |||
2017 | An Eden hair salon in Eden | 에덴미용실 | Mom | Oriental Art Theater Hall 2 (Former Art Center K Semo Theater) | 11.07–12.31 | [66][67] |
Year | Title | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
English | Korean | |||||
1991 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | 한여름 밤의 꿈 | [68] | |||
1995–1996 | Chunpoong's Wife | 춘풍의 처 | Dongsung Studio Theater | 3.3–4.14 | [69] | |
Simbasame | 심바새메 | [70] | ||||
1998–1999 | Magic Time | 매직타임 | Batanggol Small Theater | 9.17–11.1 | [71] | |
1999 | Liar | 라이어 | Batanggol Small Theater | 5.1–6.27 | [72] | |
7.2–10.17 | [73] | |||||
2010 | Elimosineary | 엘리모시너리 | Dorothy | Arko Arts Theater Small Theater | 01.20–01.31 | [74] |
Uncle Soonwoo | 순우 삼촌 | Jeong-mun | Sejong Center for the Performing Arts M Theater | 04.22–05.01 | [75] | |
Elimosineary | 엘리모시너리 | Dorothy | Miarigogae Arts Theater | 12.03–12.20 | ||
2011 | The People of Jangseokjo | 장석조네 사람들 | Heung Nam-daek | Daehangno Theater of Art | 03.17–03.27 | |
2011 World National Theater Festival - The People of Jangseokjo | 2011 세계국립극장페스티벌 - 장석조네 사람들 | Heung Nam-daek | National Theater of Korea Daloreum Theater | 09.14–09.17 | [76] | |
Mahoroba Corporation | 마호로바 | Midori | Yeonwoo Small Theater (Daehak-ro) | 09.01–09.25 | [77] | |
2012 | If I am with you | 너와 함께라면 | mother | KT&G Sangsang Madang Daechi Art Hall | 04.20–06.10 | [78] |
2012–2013 | Daehangno Sound Art Hall 1 | 07.06–03.03 | ||||
2015 | Sad Fate | 슬픈 인연 | Kim Soon-im | Myeong-dong Art Theater | 03.20–04.05 | [79] |
2016 | A Feast | 잔치 | Byeonggilne | Namsan Arts Center Drama Center | 04.29–05.07 | [80] |
Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
APAN Star Awards | 2021 | Best Supporting Actress | Once Again | Nominated | [81] |
2022 | Excellence Award, Actress in an OTT Drama | Juvenile Justice | Nominated | [82] | |
Asia Artist Awards | 2019 | Focus Award | Lee Jung-eun | Won | |
Choice Award | Won | ||||
AAA Scene Stealer | Won | ||||
Asian Academy Creative Awards | 2022 | Best Actress in a Supporting role | Juvenile Justice | Nominated | [83] |
Asian Film Awards | 2020 | Best Supporting Actress | Parasite | Nominated | |
Asian Film Critics Association Awards | 2020 | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | ||
Asia Pacific Screen Awards | 2022 | Best Performance | Hommage | Won | [84] |
Baeksang Arts Awards | 2019 | Best Supporting Actress – Television | The Light in Your Eyes | Won | [85] |
2020 | Best Supporting Actress – Film | Parasite | Nominated | [86] | |
2021 | The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | Nominated | [87] | ||
2024 | A Bloody Lucky Day | Pending | [88] | ||
Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2019 | Best Supporting Actress | Parasite | Won | [89] |
2021 | The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | Nominated | [90] | ||
Blue Dragon Series Awards | 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | Juvenile Justice | Nominated | [91] |
Buil Film Awards | 2019 | Best Supporting Actress | Parasite | Won | |
2021 | Best Supporting Actress | The Book of Fish | Nominated | [92] | |
2022 | Best Actress | Hommage | Nominated | [93] | |
Busan Film Critics Awards | 2019 | Best Actress | Parasite | Won | |
Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2019 | Best Supporting Actress | Won | [94][95] | |
2021 | The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | Nominated | [96] | ||
2022 | Best Actress | Hommage | Nominated | [97] | |
Cine 21 Awards | 2019 | Best Actress | Parasite | Won | |
Critics' Choice Awards | 2020 | Best Acting Ensemble | Nominated | [98] | |
Director's Cut Awards | 2019 | Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Grand Bell Awards | 2020 | Best Supporting Actress | Won | [99] | |
2022 | Best Actress | Hommage | Nominated | [100] | |
IndieWire Critics Poll | 2019 | Best Supporting Actress | Parasite | 22nd place | [101] |
KBS Drama Awards | 2019 | Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama | When the Camellia Blooms | Won | |
2020 | Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama | Once Again | Won | ||
Best Couple Award with Chun Ho-jin | Won | ||||
Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards | 2018 | Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama | Mr. Sunshine, Familiar Wife | Won | [102] |
Korea First Brand Awards | 2019 | Scene Stealer Award, Actress | Lee Jung-eun | Won | |
London Asian Film Festival | 2022 | Best Actress | Hommage | Won | [103] |
MBC Drama Awards | 2017 | Golden Acting Award, Actress in a Weekend Drama | Bad Thief, Good Thief | Nominated | |
Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2020 | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Motion Picture | Parasite | Won | [104] |
Seoul Theater Festival | 2016 | Acting Award | Lee Jung-eun | Won | [105] |
Women in Film Korea Festival | 2022 | Best Actress | Hommage | Won | [106] |
Young Drama Awards | 2008 | — | Lee Jung-eun | Won | |
Scene Stealer Festival | 2021 | Bonsang "Main Prize" | Once Again | Won |
Country | Year | Honor | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
South Korea[note 1] | 2021 | Prime Minister's Commendation | [110] |