Lee Sang-soon
Overview
Lee Sang-soon (이상순) is a South Korean guitarist, composer, and music producer, who debuted as the guitarist of the mixed-gender rock band Roller Coaster (롤러코스터), formed in the late 1990s. With his distinctive emotional guitar tone and refined arrangements, he has steadily been active in the indie and popular music scenes, and after marrying singer Lee Hyori in 2013, he drew major public attention. He currently lives in Jeju Island, balancing music work with various broadcasting and cultural activities.
Key Details
Beginnings in Music and Roller Coaster
Lee Sang-soon began his full-fledged music career in the late 1990s when he joined Roller Coaster. Roller Coaster occupied a unique position in the Korean popular music scene at the time with its refined pop-rock sound and distinctive arrangements, and was beloved for songs such as "Habit," "Sunday Afternoon," and "Last Scene." In this band, Lee Sang-soon was in charge of guitar performance and arrangement, establishing his characteristic refreshing yet lyrical guitar sound.
Work as a Session Player
Apart from his activities with Roller Coaster, Lee Sang-soon participated as a session guitarist on numerous singers' albums. He took part in work by various artists including Lee Hyori, Lee Seung-hwan, and Kim Dong-ryul, earning recognition for his stable playing skills, and was also consistently involved in composition and arrangement. In particular, he gained the trust of many musicians with his emotional clean-tone playing and layered guitar sound.
Marriage and Rise in Public Recognition
In September 2013, after six years of dating, Lee Sang-soon married singer Lee Hyori. The two settled on Jeju Island and became a topic of conversation for living a nature-friendly life, and through this Lee Sang-soon also began appearing on television programs. He became more widely known to the public through the JTBC entertainment series Hyori's Homestay, and gained public favor with his characteristically calm and gentle personality.
Solo and Project Activities
Lee Sang-soon has also been active as a solo musician, releasing albums and singles. He has also released music together with Lee Hyori or carried out music work jointly, presenting songs that contain life on Jeju Island and his musical sensibility. In recent years, he has continued album releases centered on guitar performance, live performances, and content activities through a YouTube channel.
Broadcasting and Lifestyle
Beyond music, Lee Sang-soon has established himself as a representative figure of "Jeju life" through broadcasting activities. His life close to nature, running a modest cafe and shop, and daily life with companion animals are regarded by many as a kind of lifestyle icon. His television appearances together with Lee Hyori have exerted a great influence across popular culture as a whole.
Recent Trends
As of 2024–2025, Lee Sang-soon continues to steadily work on music while maintaining his identity as a guitarist and producer. While balancing a Jeju-based life with broadcasting and social media content activities together with Lee Hyori, he meets audiences through music projects and performances. He is also communicating with fans by revealing his guitar playing and music work process through online platforms such as YouTube, continuing his influence as an emotional musician spanning generations. Recently, he has also continued to appear in popular content such as entertainment shows and advertisements featuring the couple together, maintaining a stable yet sincere image.
Related Topics
- [[Lee Hyori]]
- [[Roller Coaster]]
- [[Hyori's Homestay]]
- [[Jeju Island]]
- [[South Korean guitarists]]