Lee Sung-min
Overview
Lee Sung-min (born December 4, 1968) is a South Korean actor. After first distinguishing himself on the theater stage, he expanded his activities into film and drama, earning the epithet 'an actor you can trust and watch.' In particular, with his uniquely gentle yet firm acting style, he handles a variety of characters, and since the 2010s, he has played a pivotal role in the Korean film and drama industry.
Main Content
Early Life and Theater Activities
Lee Sung-min was born in 1968 in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and graduated from Seoul Institute of the Arts with a degree in Theater. He began building his acting career in the early 1990s by appearing in plays such as 'Hamlet' and 'Death of a Salesman.' At the time, he was a rising newcomer in the small-theater-centered theater scene, particularly showing strength in realism acting. In 1998, he won the Best Actor Award at the Seoul Theater Festival for his role in the play 'Oedipus,' solidifying his position.
Film Debut and Representative Works
In the early 2000s, Lee Sung-min expanded into film. He made his screen debut in 2003 with a supporting role in the film 'A Good Lawyer's Wife,' and later delivered impressive performances in 'Forever the Moment' (2008) and 'The Secret Reunion' (2010). Notably, in the 2012 film 'Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time,' he played the role of Detective Choi, revealing a strong presence, and this work became a significant turning point in his filmography. Subsequently, he participated in major works such as 'The Attorney' (2013), 'Inside Men' (2015), and 'The Spy Gone North' (2018), establishing himself as a representative actor of Chungmuro.
Activities in Drama
Lee Sung-min also excelled in dramas. In the 2014 tvN drama 'Misaeng,' he played the role of Oh Sang-sik, earning great love for his character 'Manager Oh.' This work greatly increased his public recognition. He later took on lead and supporting roles in various genre dramas such as 'Empress Ki' (2013-2014), 'Live' (2018), and 'Voice 2' (2018). In particular, in the 2022 Disney+ original 'The Police Station Next to the Fire Station,' he played a cold-headed detective, and in the 2023 Netflix series 'The Glory,' he appeared as a teacher, once again receiving recognition for his acting skills.
Acting Style and Evaluation
Lee Sung-min's acting can be summarized by 'naturalness' and 'depth.' He meticulously analyzes the inner world of his characters and is adept at conveying emotions through facial expressions and gestures rather than dialogue. Critics evaluate him as 'an actor who completely immerses himself into a character' and analyze that he is particularly excellent at expressing the complex psychology of middle-aged men. Additionally, he values chemistry with his co-stars and is known as a role model for junior actors on set.
Awards
Lee Sung-min has won awards at several film festivals. In 2014, he won the Best Actor (TV) award at the 51st Baeksang Arts Awards for 'Misaeng,' and in 2018, he won the Best Actor award at the 55th Grand Bell Awards for the film 'The Spy Gone North.' In 2023, he was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor (TV) award at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards for 'The Glory,' consistently receiving recognition for both artistic quality and popularity.
Recent Trends
In 2024, Lee Sung-min met audiences with the films 'Handsome Guys' and 'Exhuma.' 'Exhuma' recorded the highest box office among Korean films in the first half of 2024, drawing renewed attention to his acting skills. Additionally, with the Netflix series 'Trigger' and the film 'Hijack 1971' set for release in 2025, his activities are expected to become even more active. In a recent interview, he expressed his ambition to continue challenging himself with various genres and characters, stating that 'acting is a process of learning anew every day.'
Related Topics
- [[Misaeng (drama)]]
- [[The Glory]]
- [[Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time]]