LEE JOON
GI
A LEGACY
FORGED
IN
DISCIPLINE
ARTISTRY
AND
UNYIELDING
PRESENCE
MARKING
22 YEARS
OF
AN
EXTRAORDINARY
CAREER
|
|
On 10
September 2026, Lee Joon Gi, the actor with a thousand faces, commemorates the 22nd anniversary of his acting
debut. The South Korean premiere of The Hotel Venus on 10
September 2004 - his inaugural film - occurred 22 years ago. Yet his
entertainment career actually commenced in 2001 as a model, gracing magazine
editorials and commercials.
 https://www.instagram.com/jg04170910/reel/CsDE0J2OLir/
  .png)      https://www.instagram.com/le_bimbe_di_junki/reel/DdBJm9DOiCV/
AN ACTOR OF EXCEPTIONAL ACTING (EMOTIONAL) AND ACTION (PHYSICAL) MASTERY Having
debuted more than 20 years ago, Lee Joon Gi has built a
legacy defined by his extreme commitment to performing his own stunts, intense
emotional range, and unmatched physical discipline.
FORGED IN DISCIPLINE THE PHYSICAL REALITY
Discipline in Lee Joon Gi's career is not an abstract concept; it is a
physical commitment that sets him apart in the entertainment industry. Stunt Commitment: He
is famous for performing the vast majority of his own action sequences,
wirework, hand-to-hand combat and Parkour scenes without using stunt doubles. Martial Arts Mastery: To
deliver authentic performance art, he trained extensively across multiple
disciplines, holding black belts or high proficiency in Taekwondo, Hapkido, Taekkyeon,
Chinese Wing Chun and other forms of martial arts. He learnt Thai Boxing for
Time Between Dog and Wolf, he learnt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Lawless Lawyer, and
for Criminal Minds Korea, he learnt Systema, the Russian martial art. Work Ethic on Set:
Directors, crew members and co-stars consistently note his extreme physical
preparation, strict lifestyle regimen during filming, and insistence on pushing
through exhausting shoots to capture genuine motion.
ARTISTRY SUBVERSION AND EMOTIONAL DEPTH
His artistry began by shattering industry standards and expanded through
fearless role selection. He actively breaks away from established norms,
clichés, or expectations. Redefining
Masculinity: His breakout role as Gong Gil in The
King and the Clown (2005) challenged traditional representations of leading
men in Korean cinema, blending vulnerability, grace, and tragedy in a way
rarely seen at the time.
Complex Psychological Portrayals: He rarely picks standard hero archetypes. Lee Joon Gi consistently chooses flawed, traumatized, morally gray, or psychologically disturbing characters. In Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, his character, Wang So, is heavily scarred, emotionally volatile, and feared as a ‘wolf-dog’ before showing his vulnerable side. In Flower of Evil, he navigated a harrowing dual-identity performance -balancing terrifying apathy with deep emotional vulnerability - demonstrating precise control over subtle facial expressions and tone. Genre Versatility: His
artistry spans historical drama (sageuk), modern noir, fantasy, and
action, making his body of work feel varied rather than typecast.
UNYIELDING PRESENCE CHARISMA AND LONGEVITY
Unyielding Presence accurately describes both his screen
magnetism and his staying power across two decades. Screen Dominance:
Whether playing Wang So in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Iljimae, or
The Sword of Aramun, he possesses a commanding gaze and voice delivery that
anchors every scene he leads. Career Resilience: Sustaining
a high-level stardom for over 22 years requires constant adaptation. Rather
than relying solely on early visual popularity, he systematically built an
identity as a trusted, high-caliber actor whose name guarantees quality and
dedication. Global Connection: His
presence extends beyond South Korea, maintaining an enduring, dedicated
international fanbase due to his passionate engagement and high-energy stage
performances during concert tours.
    Lee Joon Gi is, first and foremost, an actor - one whose craft is inseparable from an extraordinary physical discipline. Few actors can deliver a heart-wrenching monologue while simultaneously executing a flying kick. Lee Joon Gi weds raw emotion to physical storytelling in a manner unmatched in the industry.
He has remained a top-tier leading man for nearly two decades - not through fleeting trends, but through relentless discipline, ceaseless self-improvement, and an unmistakable screen presence that belongs entirely to him. He holds black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Taekkyeon, and has
additionally trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Thai Boxing, Chinese Wing Chun,
Russian Systema, and Parkour.
He has performed his own stunts
since The King and the Clown (2005) and Iljimae (2008)
- well before action-infused television series Lawless Lawyer, Again My Life, or The
Sword of Aramun.
His physicality is genuinely world-class,
marked by the precision of a trained athlete. He helped redefine action in
Korean historical dramas, merging dance-like grace with explosive power. His
fight sequences are renowned for their fluidity, elegance, and sheer intensity -
a quality no one else quite replicates.  His filmography spans action, fantasy,
historical drama, melodrama, crime, legal thrillers, and even Hollywood -a
testament to his remarkable range.
The King and the Clown (2005), Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Lawless Lawyer, and Flower of Evil remain arguably his most critically lauded works, while dramas such as My Girl, Iljimae, Time Between Dog and Wolf, Gunman in Joseon, Again My Life, Criminal Minds Korea and The Sword of Aramun are enduring fan favorites.
Lee Joon Gi has
amassed significant acting achievements, career-defining roles, critical
acclaim, and recognition that have collectively shaped his legacy. He proved
his leading-man credentials through a succession of successful dramas.
THE HOTEL VENUS (2004)  Lee
Joon Gi's The Hotel Venus (2004) marks his film debut - a
unique Japan-Korea collaboration and an award-winning art film celebrated for
its emotional profundity and unconventional production. It represents a
landmark role that inaugurated his big-screen journey.
 https://www.instagram.com/le_bimbe_di_junki/p/DdGgFZLDtwd/?img_index=1    The
film is an international co-production, directed by Japanese filmmaker Takahata
Hideta, yet featuring 100% Korean dialogue. It tells the story of wounded
souls, set within a mysterious hotel on the outskirts of a Russian-looking
city. 
Lee
portrays a character named 'Boy' - a troubled youth dwelling in the hotel who
carries a gun and harbors dreams of becoming a hitman to feel powerful. This
role served as an early showcase of his capacity to embody characters with
concealed vulnerability and inner turmoil.
 The film garnered a major accolade, winning 'Best Picture' at the 2004 Moscow International Film Festival. For Lee Joon Gi, it remains a pivotal milestone that paved the way for his future career. Even years later, fans continue to commemorate the film's anniversary, honoring it as the inception of his acting journey.
HIS BREAKTHROUGH
GONG GIL IN THE KING AND THE CLOWN 2005
 The role that started it all. Lee Joon Gi was not exactly an overnight sensation; his breakthrough arrived with the role of Gong Gil in The King and the Clown (2005). This was the part that catapulted him to stardom. His portrayal of the gender-bending clown Gong Gil became a cultural phenomenon.   
In The
King and the Clown, Lee Joon Gi played Gong Gil, a beautiful, effeminate
male clown in a travelling troupe during the Joseon Dynasty.
To
prepare for this effeminate role, Lee Joon Gi underwent a rigorous
transformation. Director Lee Joon Ik reportedly instructed him: ‘From now
on, think that Lee Joon Gi doesn't exist. You are not a man. You are formless,
neutral.’
Lee
studied transgender individuals at transgender bars to authentically capture
the character's gender-fluid presence - learning their gaze, expressions, and
mannerisms.
His
commitment reaped rewards: he won the Best New Actor award at Korea's
prestigious Grand Bell Awards, among other honours.  SHANGHAI, CHINA (2007)   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King_and_the_Clown
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&country=KR&id=_fWANGUINAMJA(THEK01 His
performance propelled the film to become one of the highest-grossing Korean
movies of all time. The film evolved into a massive cultural phenomenon in
Korea, ultimately watched by over 12 million people, and was later crowned The
Best Film in the 100-Year History of the Korean Film Industry.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2jwDqsp-dU/
   MY GIRL 2005   THE KKONMINAM PRETTY BOY PHENOMENON 
Lee
Joon Gi's androgynous beauty in The King and the Clown ignited
a cultural shift in South Korea.
He
became an icon of the 'pretty boy' (kkonminam) trend - a phenomenon
wherein men as pretty as (or prettier than) women became popular icons, and men
who tended to their appearance were suddenly in high demand.
In My
Girl, Lee Joon Gi brought the character of Seo Jung Woo, a playboy chaebol
heir, to life. Lee portrayed Seo as someone who possessed a certain melancholic
quality: "those trembling hands, the shaky voice and the teary eyes."
His performance was so compelling that it frequently became the focal point of
discussions, cementing his Hallyu star status. 
‘How could anyone look so pretty emit such a manly air? If you see him in action, you will realise that the words 'soft and gentle' do not fit this man at all. There is a certain charisma about him.’ This sentiment encapsulated the 'Pretty Boy' phenomenon, with fans swooning over him.
Lee
Joon Gi's compelling performances in both The King and the Clown and My
Girl served as the catalyst that made him an icon of the 'pretty boy'
trend. It rendered him a cultural phenomenon, with fans enraptured by his
unique fusion of beauty and undeniable charisma.
TIME BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF 2007
SHEDDING HIS PRETTY BOY IMAGE   
Lee
Joon Gi subsequently made a deliberate effort to shed his pretty boy image.
He
transitioned from Pretty Boy to Action Star. In Time Between Dog and
Wolf (2007), where he performed the majority of his own stunts, he
became one of the most sought-after action stars in Korea.
 In television
series, he portrayed a vengeful NIS agent in his first major television lead
role, winning the Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards and The Most Popular Star Award at the 2008 Seoul International Drama Awards.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myG_8TeAzOo This
transition demonstrated that his appeal was never merely about his looks; it
was his intense dedication and versatility that truly won over fans.
2007 and 2025
VIRGIN SNOW 2007 
Virgin Snow holds significance for Lee Joon Gi
because it marked a major stride in his career as a pan-Asian star, building
upon his growing popularity in Japan and showcasing him in a leading romantic
role in an international co-production.
The
film was a Korean-Japanese co-production, directed by Korean filmmaker Han Sang
Hee and starring Lee Joon Gi alongside popular Japanese actress Aoi Miyazaki.
For Lee Joon Gi, whose popularity in Japan was already ascending due to his
earlier work, this film cemented his status as a Hallyu (Korean Wave) star in
Japan.
Virgin Snow afforded Lee Joon Gi his first
leading role in a feature film as a romantic protagonist. He played Kim Min, a
Korean exchange student who falls in love with a shy Japanese girl named Nanae.
The role demanded he portray a spectrum of emotions - from the carefree,
competitive energy of his character to the heartbreak of separation, and
demonstrated his potential as a leading man in melodrama.
The
film's release in Japan in May 2007 was a significant event for Lee Joon Gi's
Japanese fanbase. When he visited Tokyo for promotional events, he was greeted
by over 700 fans at the airport. It provided a boost for the 'Korean Wave' in
Japan.
Media
reports at the time noted that Lee Joon Gi's appearance in the film ‘reignited
the Korean Wave fever’ in Japan, highlighting his personal impact on the
market.
Virgin Snow was a pivotal project that
positioned Lee Joon Gi as a leading romantic actor and a key figure in the
Korean Wave's expansion into Japan.
MAY 18 2007 
Lee
Joon Gi's May 18 was a significant project for him as an
actor, marking his participation in a major historical drama that tackled one
of the most painful events in modern Korean history.
A Role in a Landmark Historical Film
May 18 is a film about the Gwangju
Democratization Movement of May 1980, a pivotal and tragic event in South
Korea's struggle for democracy.
The
film portrays the uprising of Gwangju citizens against the military regime and
the brutal suppression that followed.
Lee
Joon Gi played Jin Woo, a high school student whose life is shattered when the
military cracks down on peaceful protests.
The
film was a major production, and it was the first Korean film to top advance
ticket sales in over three months when it opened in July 2007. It went on to
sell over seven million tickets at the domestic box office.
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_18_(film) Personal and Artistic Significance for
Lee Joon Gi
In
interviews at the time, Lee Joon Gi spoke candidly about how little he had
known about the Gwangju Uprising before taking the role. His approach to the role was serious and research-driven. He stated he immersed himself in the character by watching video collections of people from that era, attempting to understand the emotions of someone who fought for freedom at such a young age. The
experience also prompted him to reflect on his own life; he noted that playing
the role made him re-examine himself and think about matters beyond his own
concerns.
Critical Recognition and International
Exposure The film was nominated for the Golden Orchid Award (Best Feature) at the 2007 Hawaii International Film Festival. And Lee Joon Gi personally received the festival's RISING STAR AWARD that same year.
This recognition helped solidify his status as a serious actor and introduced him to a wider international audience, building upon his growing popularity in Japan and other parts of Asia.
  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lLw8ycN_1A   BOX OFFICE SUCCESS WITH ILJIMAE 2008
Portraying a Joseon-era Robin Hood, he achieved massive ratings and Lee won three awards - Top Excellence Award, Netizen Popularity Award, and Top Ten Stars Award at the SBS Drama Awards.
   
MILITARY ENLISTMENT 2010–2012
Lee
Joon Gi served his mandatory military service. Foreigners are amazed to learn that Lee Joon Gi, South Korea’s Armed Forces top enlisted soldier, is their Poster Boy. No superstar has surpassed his popularity and achievements as an enlisted soldier. 
When he enlisted in the army in 2011, more than 500 fans bade him goodbye and when he was discharged, it was reported that 1,500-2,000 fans welcomed The King back.
A video was made as a tribute to Lee Joon Gi as an outstanding soldier in the South Korean Armed Forces as he had many accomplishments and was a model sodier. He had received many awards and has been called a Bone Soldier or soldier to the bone by his fellow enlisted soldiers and the army.
       
POST-MILITARY COMEBACK
ARANG AND THE MAGISTRATE 2012
 He
continued to earn acting recognition with roles in Arang and the
Magistrate, which was his first major project after being discharged from
mandatory military service. His song, For One Day, is one of the OSTs in the series,
He
won Outstanding Korean Actor at the 8th Seoul International Drama Awards. It
was his first award after being discharged from the military, which made it
especially meaningful for him.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvCJ8KMGDqo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVdPAprjkYM TWO WEEKS 2013 
A high-octane thriller where he played Jang Tae San, a small-time gangster on the run after being framed for murder, all while trying to save his leukemia-stricken daughter. This role showcased his action-hero chops and
emotional depth as a desperate father, earning him critical praise and a Top
Excellence Award at the Apan Star Awards in 2013.
GUNMAN IN JOSEON 2014
 Gunman in Joseon proved his staying power, in which
he won Best Actor at the International Seoul Awards. Gunman in Joseon,
a period action drama where he played Park Yoon-kang, a skilled archer who
loses his father and sister to political conspiracy and transforms into a
gun-wielding outlaw seeking revenge.
It was a commercial success, and Lee Joon Gi
won the Outstanding Korean Award at the 10th Seoul International Drama Awards
in 2015 for his performance.
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvCJ8KMGDqo
THE SCHOLAR WHO WALKS THE NIGHT 2015 
He
took on the role of Kim Sung Yeol, a vampire scholar in the Joseon era, in this
fantasy-romance adaptation of the popular webtoon.
Though
the drama received mixed reviews, his performance as the tragic, brooding
vampire was widely praised, and he demonstrated his versatility in blending
historical drama with supernatural elements. He won the Top Ten Stars Award.
GLOBAL RECOGNITION MODERN MASTERPIECES AND BOX OFFICE SUCCESSES
In
recent years, his work has garnered significant global attention.
MOON LOVERS: SCARLET HEART RYEO 2016 
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo holds a unique position in Lee Joon
Gi's filmography. It was a drama that achieved massive international popularity
and won him significant awards, yet it was considered a ratings disappointment
in its home country of South Korea.
       The drama was a massive hit overseas. In China, it surpassed 2.5 billion views on streaming platforms shortly after its broadcast. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo also garnered 73% viewership in Singapore and Malaysia. It was also very popular in other parts of Asia. There were 2.5 billion cumulative views in China.
      The Korean domestic ratings were a different story entirely. Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, which aired simultaneously with Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, dominated while the latter struggled. But in Singapore and Malaysia, and elsewhere, Moon Lovers won decisively.It had garnered 73% views in Singapore and Malaysia. Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, which aired simultaneously as Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, couldn't compete outside Korea or in any foreign countries. K-DRAMA HISTORY IS SCRUBBED AND REWRITTEN Cultural Record Distortion: Some important data - records, viewership rankings, global box office / streaming totals, and chart positions about Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo on Wikipedia has been deleted. form the archived memory of global entertainment trends. In Wikipedia, the performance metrics for a 2016 rival television series have been bloated. When certain
individuals in Wikipedia or PR agencies inflate viewership numbers, manipulate
streaming algorithms, or cherry-pick misleading metrics, they distort historical
records and rewrite industry and
cultural history. History has been rewritten by some people, someone, or an organization who scrubs records and reshapes history. Wikipedia has documented cases of paid editing and organized campaigns to alter articles and delete content. This is deliberate removal of data.
           Lee Joon Gi's accolades are the stuff of legends. Lee Joon Gi didn't just perform; he ascended and was crowned 'Best Actor 2016' by KKTV Taiwan and '#1 Top Action Star' by Showbiz Korea. The awards and accolades Lee Joon Gi won, particularly Taiwan's KKTV 2016 Best Actor Award and SBS’ Hallyu Star Award, reflect his impact in this global context. His performance led to a massive surge in his global fanbase.
 
 
  The poetic verdict of Star Romance Car (an entertainment show in South Korea) was revealing – Lee Joon Gi’s skills are 'as stunning as his looks’.                        
Lee Joon Gi was the most searched Korean Star in China. He was crowned #1 in the Global Hallyu K-Stars Ranking by Star Seoul TV - the undisputed king of a kingdom he helped build. He earned the title of Second Most Popular Kdrama star in North and South America.    Articles covering that exact announcement from September 2016 reported that Lee Joon-gi climbed to the No. 1 spot on Sina Weibo's Hallyu Star / Actor rankings, driven by explosive interest in his role as the 4th Prince Wang So in SBS's Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. During its broadcast, the drama's massive streaming numbers on Youku (surpassing 1 billion views) heavily fueled his real-time search dominance and follower growth on Chinese social media.                
      https://web.archive.org/web/20180920132931/http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/1026529                        
Lee Joon Gi was also named the 2nd Most Popular Actor in North and South America.
 The official Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) research document. The document is titled “한국 콘텐츠 미국시장 소비자조사 (드라마)” — “Korean Content U.S. Market Consumer Survey (Drama)”. The search result itself contains the actual table of preferred actors. The important finding The KOCCA survey's table “선호 연기자 상위 10” (Top 10 Preferred Actors) shows: Lee Joon Gi (이준기) - #2 in the relevant overall male-actor ranking IU / Lee Ji-eun (아이유) - appears #3 in the relevant overall female-actress ranking That shows a global and continental conquest across Asia and the West by Lee Joon Gi. His co-star, IU, shone brilliantly beside him, capturing the Americas as the third most popular actress in North and South America.
 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo was the second most popular show in North and South America and was ver popular Asia, South-east Asia and elsewhere. Although Cinderella and 4 Knights was first, it made no great impression on the global audiences. 
Best Historical Drama and Best Ensemble at the USA Drama Fever Awards. The Best Adaptation at the Soompi Awards.        It also won Best Ensemble and Best Historical Drama at the 2017 Drama Fever Awards.
       Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, also won Soompi's 2016 Best Adaptation Award.         The series itself won Korea's Culture Pride Award.       It was sold to the Chinese platform Youku for $400,000 per episode, making it the most expensive Korean drama ever sold at that time.
For Lee Joon Gi, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo was a significant project that demonstrated his immense star power across Asia. While it did not achieve high domestic ratings, it solidified his status as a leading Hallyu actor and was a major commercial success internationally.
        Reference {12} in Wikipedia is not true. This person in Wikipedia is trying to pull wool over the reader's eyes. There is no proof at all that the record was beaten.
       
But the true measure of its power? Tumblr’s Fandometrics charts. A realm notoriously hostile to television, let alone foreign language dramas, was breached. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo became the FIRST and ONLY K-drama to ever penetrate its ranks, debuting at #18 and clawing its way to #12 - a conquest that remains unchallenged to this day. No series before or since has achieved this. Not because they couldn't try, but because they couldn't transcend. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a standard by which all other dramas are found eternally wanting. No series before, and no series after, will ever hold a candle to this beautiful masterpiece (except for Lee’s new masterpieces) - and no star will ever outshine its king.   http://www.dailydot.com/parsec/tumblr-fandometrics-trends/
 https://thefandometrics.tumblr.com/post/151349081384/musicians-in-the-celeb-list-celebs-in-the-music
 What Made This Achievement Notable:
Breaking Western Platform Barriers: At the time (2016), Fandometrics was heavily dominated by Western media like Supernatural, Doctor Who, and Sherlock. Moon Lovers became a rare non-English television series to rank on the weekly lists.
Global Fan Engagement: The ranking was driven by immense engagement across Tumblr—specifically tagging, reblogs, original fan art, GIF sets, and live-blogging reactions to the intense plot twists and heartbreaking storyline.
International Popularity vs. Domestic Ratings: While the show faced modest domestic ratings in South Korea against stiff competition, it achieved massive international acclaim, amassing billions of streams globally and generating a dedicated online fanbase As Lee Joon Gi himself said: ‘We never imagined there would belatedly be so many people all around the world who love it.’
 A 2020 academic study examined Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo specifically as an instrument of South Korean cultural diplomacy in Indonesia. The study concluded that the drama helped disseminate South Korean cultural values, including both traditional and popular culture, and contributed to enhancing South Korea's positive image in Indonesia. Focus of the Research: The
study specifically analyzed the drama through the framework of cultural diplomacy and soft power,
focusing on its reception and impact within Indonesia.
CORE CONCLUSION The
thesis concluded that the popularity of the drama served as an effective medium
for South Korean cultural diplomacy by introducing both traditional Korean
heritage (Joseon/Goryeo-era customs, attire, and history) and modern Hallyu
elements, thereby fostering a favorable perception of South Korea among
Indonesian audiences .        Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo was adapted by Thailand.
             29 August 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the drama's premiere. Social media has already been flooded with anniversary posts, proving that the fandom is thriving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhCgdSDBLew    RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER 2016
He
made his Hollywood debut in this blockbuster as Commander Lee. While it wasn't
a massive dramatic role, it was a significant milestone in his international
career, exposing him to a global audience.
A Hollywood Debut
His
casting in the film was no accident. Director Paul W.S. Anderson was so
impressed by his action skills that he personally pursued him for the role.
Anderson's persistence paid off, highlighting the value he saw in the actor.
The Eastern Box Office Phenomenon
The
success in China was truly staggering, far surpassing the film's domestic
performance in the U.S.
The Lee Joon Gi Factor
This
massive success wasn't just about the Resident Evil franchise.
Industry analysts pointed to Lee Joon Gi's popularity as a key driver. As the
Only Asian Star, he served as a crucial point of connection for the massive
Chinese audience. Lee already enjoyed immense popularity in China and East
Asia, having previously held concerts there and won awards in China. His
huge fanbase was a strategic asset for the film's marketing. His popularity
helped translate a supporting role into a substantial box office contribution.
The Opening Weekend Record (The Best Ever)  
Where
the film did claim the top spot was for its opening weekend performance. Over
its first Friday-to-Sunday frame, it earned approximately $94.3 million.
This
was a record-breaking debut, marking the biggest opening weekend ever for an
imported film in China.
This
record-breaking weekend ultimately helped the film become the highest-grossing
foreign market for the entire franchise, contributing $160 million from China
alone.
By
contrast, the film's entire domestic (U.S.) earnings were a comparatively
modest $26.65 million.
The
movie's global success was heavily driven by this single Chinese market.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4Hgj6MI3wY
 NEVER SAID GOODBYE 2016
A
Chinese-Korean co-production romance film where he played the male lead
opposite Chinese actress Zhou Dongyu. It was a melodrama about fate and lost
love, further solidifying his popularity in China and across Asia.
The film lingers on the ache of unfinished farewells – on people who disappear from our lives before we can say what truly mattered. It’s a story that never quite let go.
Lee Joon Gi’s performance is devastatingly beautiful - leaving audiences emotionally wrecked, while the cinematography elevates every moment into something breathtaking. The film won the Best Producer Award at the 3rd China-Australia International Film Festival.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6yEOnKNiiY CRIMINAL MINDS KOREA 2017  He
starred as Kim Hyun Joon, a profiler in the Korean adaptation of the hit U.S.
series Criminal Minds. This was a departure from his usual period
or fantasy roles, showing he could handle a modern, procedural crime drama with
a more restrained, team-based performance.
He learnt the Russian martial art,
Systema for his role. Unfortunately, his incredible rooftop chase scene was removed. Despite the removal of the impressive action scenes, he was awarded Soompi's 2028 Best Actor of The Year for Criminal Minds Korea.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_yOn4C0jM8 LAWLESS LAWYER 2018
 Lee played Bong Sang Pil, a former gangster-turned-lawyer who uses both the court and his fists to fight corruption in his hometown. This was a gritty, action-packed revenge drama that was a hit both domestically and internationally. It was really so incredible that there were exciting action scenes, with some spectacular ones thrown in, in nearly every episode of the 16-episode television series. His chemistry with co-star Seo Ye Ji was highly praised.
  
Lee Joon Gi was crowned Best Male Asian Star at the 2018 StarHub Night of Stars in Singapore for his role in Lawless Lawyer. This win highlighted his immense popularity and the drama's success across Asia. His win was driven by a combination of his performance and the drama's regional impact.
       Pan-Asian Popularity: Lawless Lawyer aired in eight countries beyond Korea, including across Asia and North America, significantly boosting his already strong Hallyu (Korean Wave) star status.
Commercial Success: The series became one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in Korean cable television history, demonstrating its wide appeal.
Critical Praise: His ‘high-intensity action and dramatic performance’ in the series were specifically cited as reasons for the award.
  Lawless Lawyer has been adapted by Thailand.  Lee Joon Gi is such a phenomenon and amazing person and actor that Ellemen Hong Kong has in 2018 proclaimed him as 'The Legendary Hero'.  FLOWER OF EVIL 2020 
This critically acclaimed thriller is often cited as one of his finest performances. He played a man hiding a dark past, and his emotional depth in the role earned him widespread praise. There is no question that Flower of Evil is a global masterpiece, stamped unmistakably with genius. The series has impressed critics and writers worldwide, astounded international audiences, and sparked global interest. Its ingenious storytelling and emotional depth keep viewers engaged and emotionally invested in the characters.
Director Kim Cheol Kyu deserves special recognition for assembling an extraordinary cast, lead by the perfectly matched Lee Joon Gi and Moon Chae Won, alongside Seo Hyun Woo, Jang Hee Jin and Kim Ji Hoon.
The series carry a special emotional charge through Lee Joon Gi’s remarkable performance. His face conveys the complex inner life of his character, down to the smallest nuance – split second muscle movement, fleeting eyelid flickers and intense emotional expression through his eyes. He eclipses his peers that year with a performance that demonstrates exceptional chemistry not only with Moon Chae Won but with the camera itself.
Originally, Flower of Evil starred multiple-award winning actor, Lee Joon Gi in the iconic role of Do Hyun Soo, delivering a tour-de-force performance that earned awards, accolades and international acclaim. Besides the awards, Cultura proclaimed him the Television (Drama) Icon in 2020. The Japanese had adapted the TV series and in their stage adaptation on March 2026, the psychologically complex role of Do Hyun Soo / Baek Hee Sung was portrayed by Koichi Goseki, while Mizuki Umino played Cha Ji Won, originally portrayed by Moon Chae Won. The original earth-shaking series was helmed by critically-acclaimed director, Kim Cheol Kyu and written by renowned screenwriter, Yoo Jung Hee. Kim received the Baeksang Awards Best Director while Lee Joon Gi earned 3 major accolades: 2020 AAA Asia Celebrity Award, 2020 AAA Best Artist Award and Cultura’s 2020 Icon for Drama.
http://www.cultura.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1228
http://www.cultura.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1226
 http://www.cultura.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1263   http://www.cultura.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1263
The impressive script and cinematography further elevate the production. https://x.com/eMily28beBe/status/1342885639209926657
The original soundtrack, ‘Feel You’, sung passionately by Shin Yong Jae, is deeply moving and heartbreaking.
  Flower of Evil is an adrenalin-fuelled drama packed with white knuckle twists and turns. It tells the story of Baek Hee Seong, a metalcraft artist, who married the ambitious detective, Cha Ji Won 14 years earlier and appears to live a happy and peaceful life. Beneath this façade, however, lies a secret existence filled with mystery, deception and lies.
In truth, Do Hyun Soo is a fugitive who has stolen another man’s identity to evade the law. Wrongly accused of murder and stigmatised as the son of a deceased serial killer, Do Hyun escapes his past and lives under the radar until his carefully constructed world began to unravel. His wife, a fervent and passionate detective begins to confront him about his past.
The mentally and psychologically fractured man frantically clings to the identity and family that he had painstakingly built. Tension builds when the real Baek Hee Seong awakens from a coma, leading to a devastating face-to-face confrontation that shatters every illusion.
https://www.163.com/dy/article/FTDB1E1M0521PO6K.html https://lujuba.cc/en/405863.html
  
  Weibo 5th TV Series Awards has ranked Flower of Evil, ‘The Most Popular (1st) South Korean Drama’ and Lee Joon Gi, ‘The 3rd Most Popular South Korean Actor’ in China in 2020.
 https://m.weibo.cn/5406006781/4587506094048672 https://twitter.com/weheartjg/status/1343838383555014656/photo/1             https://www.aljazeera.com/features/ https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/11/3/six-korean-series-to-watch-instead-of-squid-game
      https://viuniverse.epizy.com/viuniverse-awards-2020/ https://twitter.com/ViuniversePH/status/1341639681310683137/photo/1 https://twitter.com/ViuniversePH/status/1341639681310683137
 https://twitter.com/ViuniversePH/status/1343406319110381571/photo/1                   https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/lee-joon-gis-birthday-tribute-why-flower-of-evil-is-his-most-gut-wrenching-roleyes-even-over-moon-lovers-1.500096599        Flower of Evil has also been adapted into international television productions, including Flower of Evil (Philippines, 2022), Duranga Season 1 (2022) & Season 2 (2023) in India and Yi Man Zhi Shi (China, 2024).     
 The theatre production ran in Tokyo from 6 March 2026 (Friday) to 15 March 2026 (Sunday), followed by performances in Osaka from 28 March 2026 (Saturday) to 29 March 2026 (Sunday).
The stage adaptation marks a bold new chapter for this acclaimed work, bringing its psychological intensity and emotional power to live audiences for the first time. Widely regarded as a television benchmark, the critically acclaimed masterpiece became the most popular South Korean television series in China and has inspired academic discourse at the tertiary level, including a joint conference by the De La Salle University of the Philippines and Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University, titled ‘Exploring Integrity and Justice in Lee Joon Gi’s Dramas’.
    
AGAIN MY LIFE (2022) 
Again My Life is widely considered a success and
a special series, largely due to Lee Joon Gi's commanding presence and
performance.
In Again
My Life, critics and fans agree his portrayal of Kim Hee Woo is a standout,
with praised action scenes and Lee Joon Gi's ability to convincingly play his
character, Kim Hee Woo, regressing from his 40s back to a high school teenager -
which was one of the most praised aspects of his performance.
The
core premise of Again My Life is that the protagonist, a
42-year-old prosecutor, is killed and then resurrected, given a second chance
to relive his life starting from when he was 18 years old.
 This
means Lee Joon Gi had to portray Kim Hee Woo at multiple stages: as the mature,
hardened prosecutor; as the high school teenager, wearing a school uniform and
embodying a youthful spirit; and as the determined university student
restarting his life.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5H6dck8zWs Convincing Youthfulness: Despite
being 40 years old during filming, Lee Joon Gi was lauded for looking
incredibly fresh-faced and ‘convincing’ as a student. This level of
believability was partly due to his intense preparation, which included a
strict diet with no carbohydrates for six years to maintain his youthful
appearance.
Many
reviewers also commented that he made the portrayal real - his behaviour,
mannerisms and body language feel completely natural and not awkward.
   https://twitter.com/i/status/1618189081678344195  https://www.instagram.com/ljg1_vered/reel/DIP_aTACBP1/
Lee
Joon Gi's portrayal of his character's age regression was a critical and visual
highlight of the show.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLlc6qcq3Q0
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX9eALeUqAA      In 2022, Lee Joon Gi was listed as one of the 100 important South Koreans featured in the 100th anniversary issue of Cultura, the prestigious South Korean magazine for culture and the arts.  https://m.blog.naver.com/cultura2006/222892702593 http://www.cultura.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=2849 http://kor.theasian.asia/archives/324363
  https://m.blog.naver.com/cultura2006/222892702593      THE SWORD OF ARAMUN 2023
Lee
Joon Gi's physicality, athletic prowess, and acting performance in The
Sword of Aramun have been widely praised as spectacular.
Dual Roles: Eunseom / Inaishingi and Saya
In
addition to the physical demands, Lee Joon Gi masterfully portrayed identical
twin brothers with completely opposite personalities.
Eunseom / Inaishingi –
Fierce warrior, dominant Alpha male, and powerful leader of the Ago clans. He
appears as an intimidating savage with ‘strong arm and leg muscles’ and a ‘predator-look
hardened by years of hardship and war’. In times of war, practicality precedes
forgiveness.
Saya is portrayed as a naïve but
treacherous and deceptive leader. Lee's performance is exquisitely nuanced as
Commander-in-chief of the Arthdal army. His silent acting - expressing
insecurity, fear, lack of confidence and experience, confusion, and anxiety
through subtle facial expressions and body language without dialogue - earned
him praise.
Even
critics who were initially disappointed by the recast acknowledged that Lee
Joon Gi was ‘perfectly suited for the new and exacting physical demands’ and ‘shines
in his portrayal’. He was able to showcase his own distinct style and set of
skills.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILTFTrD0_Vs Critics have commented that:
‘Lee Joon Gi took over a role that was previously played
by another actor, and he made it completely his own - not by matching someone
else's performance, but by bringing it to a higher level with his own superior
athleticism, intensity, acting depth, and nuance to the twins. He elevated the
roles beyond what came before.’
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWtL4OOeSyY
The Spectacular Action Scenes in Episodes One and Two The Spectacular Leaping and Ballet-Like Action
 Lee Joon Gi's action scenes in The Sword of Aramun were indeed among the most talked-about elements of the series. His performance combined spectacular physicality with deep emotional intensity, creating some truly unforgettable sequences.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQIaE6ltkmc
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mroRarmSfYk
The first two episodes delivered a massive-scale war between the Ago tribe and Arthdal forces, with Lee Joon Gi leading the charge as Eun Seom.
One review described these episodes as "spectacular" and even more impressive than Season 1.
Lee Joon Gi's action in these episodes was particularly praised for its graceful, almost ballet-like quality. He led the Ago warriors from the front, and his charge into battle while shouting ‘For the waterfall! In the name of the Ago-ha forest!’ was described as a scene that delivered a ‘thrilling catharsis.’
The combination of his fluid movements and the grand scale of the battlefield created a visual spectacle that captivated viewers.
What made these scenes especially remarkable was Lee Joon Gi's approach to the action. He revealed that he wanted to focus on the emotions within the action rather than just technical flashiness.
‘In the past, I would mix in action techniques and my own action know-how to coordinate the fight scenes, but this time I wanted to put a lot of emotion into the action. On the battlefield, action is a life-or-death situation, so rather than flashiness, I tried to carry over desperate and earnest emotions.’
Episode 5 The Lightning-Struck Arm and The Sword of
Aramun
  Episode
5 contains one of the most iconic moments of the entire series. As the prophecy
foretold, Eun Seom was struck by lightning while fighting with a sword, leaving
a Lichtenberg Figure, a lightning scar on the arm that held the iron sword. The
lightning scar symbolizes his destiny as Aramun Haesulla. It is a mark of
divine selection, a physical manifestation of the prophecy carved into his very
flesh. Lee
Joon Gi's performance in that moment, raising that lightning-struck arm with
the Sword of Aramun, made the image unforgettable.
He
declared, 'From now on, this is the Sword of Aramun', and thrust the
iron sword into the cleft of the lightning-struck tree. He then proclaimed, 'Tell them. That Eun Seom of Wahan will become Inaishingi and Aramun
Haesulla.'
The
visual of Lee Joon Gi's lightning-scarred arm lifting the sword became a
defining image of the series - a moment that symbolized his character's
awakening and acceptance of his destiny. His intense gaze and commanding
presence in this scene perfectly captured Eun Seom's transformation from
reluctant leader to prophesied saviour.
Lee
Joon Gi's portrayal of both Eun Seom and Saya (his twin brother) added another
layer of complexity to the action scenes. His ability to differentiate the two
characters - even during fight sequences, demonstrated his remarkable range.
One critic
noted that he portrayed the characters with such distinct auras that ‘You
almost forget Song Joong Ki, who played the roles in Season 1’.
The
action in The Sword of Aramun wasn't just about physical
prowess - it was about storytelling through movement, emotion, and the symbolic
weight of every gesture. Lee Joon Gi's performance elevated these scenes into
moments of genuine dramatic power, which is why they became such talking points
among the audience.
The Iconic Cliff-Climbing Scene
Another most talked-about sequence is the Episode 5 Cliff-Climbing Scene.
Lee Joon Gi performs his own stunts, scaling ‘a steep, rugged cliff’ in a fierce storm with spider-like, four-limbed agility.
Critics described it as ‘awe-inspiring’, with his ‘nimble, agile and swift’ movements giving the scene a ‘fearful’ and ‘superhuman’ quality that cemented his character's god-like status. The combination of raw athleticism, furious beastlike energy, and electrifying eye expressions left viewers stunned.
He
brought his own signature intensity - a different, and totally compelling,
energy that fit the darker, more action-heavy tone of Season 2.
Lee
Joon Gi's version felt more ‘feral’ and ‘warrior-like’ which suited the
character's evolution as the leader of the Ago tribes.
Lee
Joon Gi proved that he's not just an action star, but a chameleon actor who can
step into established roles and make them feel fresh, superior, intense, spectacular
and entirely his own.
Lee's
physicality, athletic prowess, and acting performance in The Sword of
Aramun have been widely praised as spectacular and unforgettable.
Lee
Joon Gi deserves respect for his craft - not as a replacement, but as an
original, singular talent. His acting and action performance, his sensual aura,
and commanding presence must be emphasized because, although he received
critical acclaim and accolades, he did not receive any awards, neither did the
director nor cinematographer, which reflects badly on the television awards
industry.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfVKq80omFI&list=RDNQIaE6ltkmc&index=20
UPCOMING PROJECTS KIDNAP GAME He has an upcoming television series, Kidnap Game, which will premiere on 6 October 2026.      DOCHABI 2027 
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