Lee Youngae

Lee Young-ae (이영애, born January 31, 1971) stands among the most decorated actresses in Korean entertainment history. A Hanyang University graduate with a Masters from Chung-Ang University, she helped define what Hallyu looks like before the term gained global currency. Her portrayal of Jang-geum in Jewel in the Palace (MBC, 2003-2004) averaged 46.3% nationwide viewership and aired in 91 countries, making her one of the first Korean stars to achieve true pan-Asia recognition.

Her film work with director Park Chan-wook cemented her critical standing: Joint Security Area (2000) broke Korean box office records at the time, and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) earned her Best Actress at the Sitges Film Festival, the Blue Dragon Awards, and the Baeksang Arts Awards. After marrying businessman Jeong Ho-yeong in 2009 and a deliberate career pause to raise twins, she returned with Saimdang: Memoir of Colors (2017) and Maestra: Strings of Truth (2023), demonstrating the same command that defined her peak era.

In 2025, she starred in KBS2's crime thriller Walking on Thin Ice, playing a desperate housewife drawn into Seoul's drug trade to keep her family alive. The role drew comparisons to her Lady Vengeance performance. Her next project, Jaei's Young In, reunites her with Yoo Ji-tae for the first time in 25 years, with production slated for 2026 under I Will Media.