ActorUngbin ENS
Lee Sang-yub
Lee Sang-yub (이상엽; born May 8, 1983, Seoul) is a South Korean actor whose career spans two decades of Korean television. A graduate of Hanyang University's Theater and Film department, he made his debut in 2007 and built steady recognition through supporting roles before landing his first lead in the weekend drama A Little Love Never Hurts (MBC, 2013). His profile rose sharply with the melodrama The Innocent Man (KBS2, 2012) opposite Song Joong-ki and Moon Chae-won, and the historical drama Jang Ok-jung, Living by Love (MBC, 2013) starring Kim Tae-hee.
He is the only grandson of the late businessman Kim Jong-jin, who held executive positions at POSCO and Dongkuk Steel. The personal background never defined his public work: Lee built his career on character depth and consistent dramatic range. A standout performance in the fantasy thriller While You Were Sleeping (SBS, 2017) alongside Lee Jong-suk broadened his fanbase, and the warm weekend drama Once Again (KBS2, 2020) brought him his widest recognition yet, playing Yoon Gyu-jin. Represented by Ungbin ENS, Lee married in March 2024 and returns to screens in ENA's 2026 romantic comedy Dream to You as Seo In Wook, a film production company CEO whose relationship with the leads reshapes the drama's central tension.
1 articles5 creditsDebut: January 1, 2007South Korean
Gallery
Filmography
2026
Dream to YouK-Drama
Seo In WookENA
2020
Once AgainK-Drama
Yoon Gyu-jin (Lead)
2017
While You Were SleepingK-Drama
Supporting
2013
Jang Ok-jung, Living by LoveK-Drama
Lead
2012
The Innocent ManK-Drama
Supporting
Fans Also Ask
What is Lee Sang-yeob famous for?
Lee Sang-yeob is best known for his role as Yoon Gyu-jin in the KBS2 weekend drama Once Again (2020), which brought him his widest recognition. He is also recognized for The Innocent Man (2012) alongside Song Joong-ki, Jang Ok-jung: Living by Love (2013), and While You Were Sleeping (2017) with Lee Jong-suk.
Who is Lee Sang-yeob managed by?
Lee Sang-yeob is managed by Ungbin ENS, a South Korean talent agency. He renewed his contract with the agency in 2022. Lee is also the only grandson of late businessman Kim Jong-jin, who served in executive roles at POSCO and Dongkuk Steel.
When did Lee Sang-yeob debut?
Lee Sang-yeob made his acting debut in 2007. He graduated from Hanyang University with a degree in Theater and Film before entering the industry. His first leading television role came in the MBC weekend drama A Little Love Never Hurts in 2013.
What is Lee Sang-yeob's new drama in 2026?
Lee Sang-yeob is joining ENA's romantic comedy Dream to You as Seo In Wook, a film production company CEO whose entanglements with leads Hwang In-youp and Hyeri add a new dimension to the story. The drama is written by Goblin screenwriter Jung Eun-bi and is set to premiere in the second half of 2026.
Did Lee Sang-yeob appear in any historical dramas?
Yes. Lee Sang-yeob played the lead in Jang Ok-jung, Living by Love (MBC, 2013), a revisionist drama that reframed the infamous court figure as a sympathetic protagonist. He played a fictionalized King Sukjong opposite Kim Tae-hee. The drama generated significant discussion for its unconventional take on the Joseon-era story.
